Thermostats

All Heating and Air Conditioning systems are controlled by a small, but important, device called a thermostat.

Thermostats come in many different models, programmable and non-programmable with colorful interactive touchscreen displays. Thermostats help keep rooms close to the set temperature. Keep in mind that the best place to install a thermostat is on an interior wall and away from vents and other sources of heat and drafts that could distort temperature readings, helping you avoid unnecessary calls to a heating and air specialist like A-1 American. Nearly all the tested models work on common heating and cooling systems, but check the packaging for exceptions.

Programmable Thermostats

A programmable thermostat adjusts the temperature automatically when you are away from the device to save energy and save money by cutting costs on your utility bill. The average household spends more than $2,000 a year on energy bills. HVAC users can save about $200 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostat and maintaining those settings. They can be programmed so that the furnace or air conditioning doesn’t come on when you aren’t in the home. While gone for long periods of time you won’t need to heat or cool the home so you have the option of programming them to keep the furnace or air conditioning off for that week. These programmable thermostats are a little more expensive but the energy savings will certainly make up for it.

Non-Programmable Thermostats

Non-programmable thermostats are really quite basic and simply control the temperature in the home. These non programmable thermostats are usually mechanically but can also be found digital. Since they lack the ability to program you would have to manually shut them off when leaving the home for a long period of time then cut them back on as you return. If you’re having problems either with the installation of the non-programmable thermostat or having a problem with it through normal wear-an-tear, our A/C repair division would be happy to help. Switching the temperature on and off manually isn’t much of an inconvenience but if you’d rather not worry about it it’s best to go with the programmable.

Regardless of which type of thermostat you choose, definitely do some research on that particular model and make sure it will help to accomplish what is most important to you. Just like any piece of HVAC equipment, how well thermostats work really depends on the installation. Make absolute sure that it is installed correctly per the manufacturer’s specifications. If your uncertain about installing the thermostat yourself, call us at A-1 American Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning to do it for you.

A-1 American provides air conditioning, heating and plumbing services, like Air Conditioning Repair & New Equipment Installation to homes and businesses in the Hampton Roads Virginia cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News and Hampton and north into Williamsburg. A-1 American provides emergency service and repair, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. A-1 American charges by the job, not by the hour. A-1 American prides itself on immediate response, punctuality, courtesy and customer satisfaction.

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Factors that Can Influence Thermostat Perfomance

You use your thermostat, or thermostats, if you have a ductless or zoned system, in order to regulate the operation of your entire HVAC system. Needless to say, you need to know with certainty that your thermostat is functioning precisely as it ought to.

Compressor replacement
Freon recharge
Thermostat replacement
Drain line flush
Filter change
Complete HVAC replacement

Poor Placement – Your thermostat ought to be placed in an area of your home that is representative of the temperature and conditions throughout. If your thermostat is installed in direct sunlight, or if it is located right next to window or door frames, then this simply may not be the case. Temperature fluctuations in such areas, while minor in the grand scheme of things, can lead your thermostat to register improper temperatures and to lead your HVAC system astray. When we install your thermostat, you won’t have to worry about that.

Poor Maintenance – Your thermostat itself may not require the rigorous level of maintenance that your HVAC system at large does in order to function properly. However, it is important that your thermostat is kept clean and in good working order. If there is a bunch of grime and dirt building up in your thermostat, you really cannot expect it to function as effectively and precisely as it ought to.