Often one hears about the manual and electronic thermostat controls, but very few actually understand how different they are from each other. People who are conscious about energy savings are not the only ones who will gain from this knowledge. All homeowners can significantly benefit if they pay attention to such vital information. If you want the best energy-saving solution for your home, you are precisely at the place that will guide you in the correct direction.
Manual Thermostat Controls
Manual thermostats are one of the oldest thermostat models, which can be seen in some old buildings. They have a thermometer-like unit containing mercury that allows the people to know the temperature in a room. These need to be manually adjusted. Every time you wish to change the temperature, you will have to go and modify the setting to reflect your intention. Usually, these are not very accurate. However, they are still popular because of their relatively low price tag.
Electronic Thermostat Controls
Electronic thermostat controls are known by many names like digital thermostats and programmable thermostats. As the name itself suggests, these have electronic sensors to gauge the room temperature. Furthermore, one can also program these according to their daily needs so that there is no need to manually change the settings every time you come and go. If your time of leaving and entering the house is more or less fixed, you can program the electronic thermostat to have a fixed temperature when you are in and a different temperature for when you out.
Difference Between Manual And Electronic Thermostat Controls
Now that you know the basic difference between the manual and electronic thermostat controls let’s see what other differences exist between them.
1. Accuracy – Manual thermostats use a mercury thermometer to read the temperature. For close distance, these work fine. But rooms in a home are usually big, so the accuracy of manual thermostats becomes questionable, especially when they are mounted close to a heat-producing source like an oven, etc. Sometimes they even become uncalibrated. Electronic thermostats use sensors to figure out the ambient temperature. These sensors work better than mercury-based thermometers as there are no chances of them becoming uncalibrated. These even read the temperature more accurately as long as you pay reasonable attention to their installation.
2. Human Intervention – If you want to change the settings on the thermostat, you will have to do it manually every time with a manual one. As against this, an electronic thermostat is programmable. If your routine is predictable, you can program your thermostat to settings most appropriate to the times when you are away from home and when back inside. The best part is that once programmed; there is no need to make any manual changes until there is a break in the routine.
3. Energy Savings – Preset settings in electronic thermostats allow for power savings. It is because even if you forget to change the settings, the program will do it automatically. In manual thermostats, there is no option other than to make the changes each and every time. If you forget to make the modification, the heating and cooling system runs as before and ads to the energy bill.
4. Battery Indicator – Electronic thermostats have a battery indicator on the display screen itself. It permits the homeowner to keep a tab on the battery level and change it timely. Often, letting the thermostat battery run out disrupts the functioning of your HVAC system. There is no battery indicator on manual thermostats, and in case you don’t remember the last time it was changed, the chances are the only time you will notice something missing is when your heating and cooling system starts acting up.
5. Air Filter Replacement Indicator – There is a filter replacement indicator on the electronic thermostat. It lets you know when its time for a filter change. There is no such indicator on the manual thermostats, and you have to remember all the basic things regarding the heating and cooling system in your home.
6. Vacation Mode – Probably one of the best features of the electronic thermostat, which does not exist in the manual thermostats, is the “Vacation” mode. It keeps the temperature in your home at a minimal level when you are away. The benefit is that the power consumption by your HVAC unit during this time is minimal. It translates to significant savings in that month’s power bill.
7. Energy Monitor – Have you ever wondered about the power consumption by your heating and cooling system in different months? If no, you probably are stinking rich and don’t care. If yes, you are a conscientious homeowner who wants to maximize energy savings. Sadly, a manual thermostat does not offer this feature. The good news is that electronic thermostats show you the energy usage in different months. This way, you can plan for more energy savings during the months when the power consumption was high.
Manual And Electronic Thermostat Controls – Which Is Better?
Clearly, from the above discussion, one can rightly draw the conclusion that between manual and electronic thermostat controls, the winner hands down is the electronic thermostat. To sum up, it is programmable with a plethora of features that help you understand your power consumption and maximize your power savings. With significant benefits like that, it is best to invest in electronic thermostats. So, next time you are looking for an upgrade, you know what you should go for. However, there is a small catch. If your heating and cooling system is a couple of years old, it is best to check with your local HVAC technician whether it is compatible with an electronic thermostat.
Aztil AC For All Your Thermostat Needs
For more information on thermostats, feel free to contact Aztil AC. Our team of knowledgeable, experienced, and helpful technicians can help you figure out the best comfort solution for your home. We pride ourselves in providing prompt services with lasting solutions. We provide 24/7 emergency services. You can call us at any time at +1-888-729-8452.
