While programmable thermostats have become popular as a way to save energy and money when compared to older manual thermostats, there are now even better options that make controlling the environment in your Southwest Florida home simple. WiFi thermostats combine the efficiency of programmable thermostats with increased intelligence and a network connection for real-time control and programming over a local network or the Internet.
Common Features of WiFi Thermostats
- Edit system settings remotely: View and modify system settings, including temperature, heating or cooling modes, and thermostat set points remotely from computers, tablets or mobile phones in your home or from over the Internet, depending on the model. This makes the initial setup process much easier than the older programmable thermostats.
- Touch screen control: Many models offer touch screen control with intuitive menu systems that make it easier to use and program them, and making it more likely that you will readjust them as needed to save energy.
- Zoned control: Control the conditions in multiple rooms through the use of other compatible thermostats or separate sensors, if the system is zoned. For systems that aren’t zoned, some WiFi thermostats offer remote sensors that can be carried with you, ensuring that the room you’re occupying is at your desired temperature.
- Outdoor sensors: Some systems feature outdoor sensors that can adjust the thermostat’s programming according to the current weather conditions.
- Motion sensors: Some models use indoor motion sensors to determine when a home is occupied, especially outside of the normally-scheduled times and adjust the temperature as needed.
- Temperature alerts: If your HVAC system changes temperature unexpectedly, such as from someone arriving home early or from a system malfunction, many systems can send a message to your mobile phone or email account to alert you to the changes.
- Integration with other devices: Some newer models offer the ability to communicate with other home automation devices, such as smoke detectors or automated home lighting systems.
These features combine to make controlling your comfort with WiFi thermostats very simple. To learn more, talk to our HVAC experts at Conditioned Air. We proudly serve the Southwest Florida region.
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