Wichita can have wild weather patterns, so you need an HVAC system that can keep up with the temperature swings. One of the biggest decisions that you will make when it comes to your system is the type of thermostat that will work the best. Smart thermostats are becoming more common, but is this really the best choice for your home?
What Is a Smart Thermostat?
If you want to control your home’s temperature with a tablet, phone, smart speaker, or similar device, a smart thermostat makes it possible. You can do things like adjust and schedule temperatures both when you’re both home and away with this type of system.
There are some highly advanced versions that go even further. For example, some of them can alert you to certain HVAC issues—similar to how your vehicle’s dashboard tells you when your engine requires some checking. Other options will show your home’s humidity levels and provide information about home energy usage.
Disadvantages of a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats have plenty of positive features, but like everything, there are some disadvantages to them too. You want to explore these so that you can make an informed decision the next time you are in the market for a new thermostat.
Compared to a traditional thermostat, the smart options can get quite costly. If you are on a budget, you might consider a more cost-effective thermostat.
To get the most benefit from this type of thermostat, you need to be a bit tech-savvy. Some of these are highly sophisticated and can take some time to learn. If you have elderly people or children in your home who need to use the thermostat, it could be a bit overwhelming for them to learn.
These types of thermostats require occasional software updates to keep all of the different functions working. You will need to stay on top of this to ensure that your thermostat remains compatible with your HVAC system. During an update, there is a chance that the thermostat will have a disruption in its functionality. It is also possible for an update to cause an issue with compatibility, requiring reconfiguration after the update to ensure that you can use all of the smart thermostat functions.
You need to have a working Wi-Fi network to use all of the features of a smart thermostat, so if your internet goes down for a while, you will not have access to all of the features of your thermostat, possibly including temperature adjustments.
Smart thermostats have more technological elements, so there are more functions and parts that can wear out. This means that this type of thermostat could have issues more often than a traditional thermostat.
You have to have your phone available to use all of the thermostat’s features. Should you forget your phone somewhere or lose it, you may not be able to fully use your thermostat. Since your phone is a big part of using it, you might also consider hacking issues, despite the thermostat app having password protection and occasional updates that enhance security.
There are some privacy concerns with this type of thermostat. Some of them will collect data regarding usage patterns and your preferences regarding temperature. While this is to improve energy efficiency, it can be a concern for some homeowners. Before committing to a smart thermostat, check out the manufacturer’s policies to see how they store and use collected data.
Choosing the Right Thermostat
You have to consider the type of HVAC system that your home has. For example, if you have a really old system, a smart thermostat might not integrate with it. You want to make sure that the thermostat you choose will work seamlessly with your HVAC system.
HVAC Experts in Wichita
Now is the time to decide whether a smart thermostat is the best choice for your Wichita home. Our company goes back to 2004, so we have a wealth of experience helping local homeowners with all of their HVAC needs. In addition, if you need some help with your indoor air quality or plumbing, we are here to tackle the job. Contact Midwest Mechanical today to learn more about your thermostat options.
