Types of Thermostats

Choosing a thermostat to suit your needs may seem insignificant. However, though there are actually only three different types of thermostats in the air conditioning and heating industry, each type has very specific characteristics.

Below you will find a summary of each type of thermostat in the air conditioning and heating industry. If you are unsure of what type of thermostat you are interested in or you have any further questions, please contact Air Repair, Inc. at 972-625-1400.

Mechanical Thermostats
Mechanical thermostats come in a variety of styles and types and can be used for heat only or for cooling and heating and some models come with multiple stages of cooling and heating.

Mechanical thermostats are not able to switch from heating to cooling automatically, this is called an auto changeover while models with a separate set point for heat and cool usually will if set to auto.

Today with the low cost of digital thermostats it no longer makes sense to buy a mechanical thermostat and the fact they many have mercury in them makes it worth while to replace them.

Digital/Electronic Thermostats
Electronic and digital thermostats are very similar and have a digital LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) temperature and set point display. Some are little more than a digital version of a mechanical thermostat but most have additional features and capabilities such as auto changeover.

Digital thermostats are not programmable in most cases and usually support both cooling and heating. They also can be designed for either single stage or multiple stages of heating or cooling. In either case you need to be certain that the thermostat is compatible with your cooling and heating system.

Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats have all the options of their digital sisters. In addition, they allow the user to set a pre-determined timed setting using a built in clock and a little bit of memory. They come in options such as 7 day or 5+2 day as well as 2 and 4 periods.

Each can be programmed to change the temperature set point at a given point in time. The 7 day models allow each day to be programmed separately while the 5+2 day models are set up for weekday and weekend only. The number of periods determines how often you can set or change a set point at any given time.

For All Thermostats
To ensure proper operation, the thermostat should be mounted on an inside wall as near as possible to the return air grill and about five feet above the floor.

You want to avoid the following locations: Behind doors or in corners, in direct sunlight, where radiant heat from appliances such as a printer or computer might affect control operation, on an outside wall, near any air supply registers or near any outside doors and windows.

Air Repair Inc. values each and every one of our customers. If you are in need of a new thermostat and are unsure on what would be best for you, please give us a call. We are more than happy to help. Feel free to contact Air Repair Inc. at 972-625-1400.