There was a time when it seemed nearly all thermostats were the basic round Honeywell-style thermostats. The mercury thermostat was considered cutting edge technology! Well we have come quite a long long way from there. Today there are many choices.

One note on those “Old Faithful” thermostats

Mercury can be dangerous. Old thermostats containing mercury are still in use However, in CT they have been outlawed for sale since 2003. We replace old mercury type thermostats for the energy economics gain over the danger factor. Mercury can be dangerous ONLY if the device is broken.  Mercury is a highly toxic metal that can cause health problems. PLEASE NOTE, should you elect to replace your own thermostat, it is against federal regulations to throw it out in the trash. Your best option is to CONTACT US to switch out your thermostat and properly dispose of the old one.

Types of thermostats

Thermostats that control HVAC systems can be categorized by the type of power they require.

• 110V or 240V power: These are called high-voltage or line-voltage systems and include electric furnaces and electric baseboard heating systems.
• 24V power: These are called low-voltage systems and include most conventional split or package air conditioning and heating systems including heat pumps, as well as furnaces and boilers. Fuels include gas, oil, or even some electric systems.
• Millivolt power: These are OLD style gas-fired heaters that don’t use electricity for the control system however they MAY or may not have a blower (fan) or circulator pump.

Each type of HVAC system type requires a thermostat compatible with the power it uses. Note, most residential heating and air conditioning systems use 24V power, and these are the thermostats we will discuss in the rest of this article. However, there are still many different categories of 24V thermostats and options we’ll discuss in the following sections.

Programmable Thermostats Vs. Non-Programmable

Simply put, programmable thermostats allow some type of programming regarding a scheduled temperature adjustment. Non-programmable thermostats cannot be programmed. Many programmable thermostats can be set NOT to run a program, so the option can be left unused until needed.

Thermostats in this category are also called setback thermostats, allowing the user to set the temperature based on the day of the week and the time of the day. Most programmable thermostats allow for four settings per period, allowing a residential user, for instance, to have one setting early in the morning (Wake), a second one once everyone has left the house (Leave), a third for when people return home (Return), and a fourth one once everyone has gone to bed (Sleep).

There are two MAIN types of programmable thermostat.

• 5 +2 Day Thermostat: Supporting one schedule for Monday-Friday, and a second schedule for the weekend.
• 7 Day Thermostats: Supporting a different schedule for each day of the week.

These types of thermostats can generally be installed as direct replacements for common low voltage mercury or non-programmable digital thermostats with no wiring changes.

What are stages? Why do they exist?

Since HVAC equipment was first invented, they were manufactured with one operating mode. They were either on and running at full capacity or they were off. This is known as single-stage heating and cooling, 100% capacity being the only stage. Today, single-stage furnaces, heat pumps and ACs are still produced, but there are other options as well.

• Single-stage systems, as defined above, are made by every HVAC brand.
• Two-stage systems offer two stages of heating and cooling. The first stage is usually about 65% capacity, and second-stage is 100% capacity. The units run on the first stage most of the time. The advantages of lower capacity include better efficiency, quieter performance and temperatures that are more balanced. When the house cools off or warms rapidly due to changing outdoor temperatures, the system might need to run on 100% capacity for a cycle to compensate. If you change the thermostat setting by several degrees, second-stage/full-capacity heating or cooling might also be required. Every brand makes two-stage furnaces, ACs and heat pumps.
• Communicating or Variable capacity systems modulate at any percentage of capacity between about 40% and 100%. This ability takes the performance advantages of two-stage to the next level – the most efficient, quietest and most efficient and precise heating and cooling.
• Heat Pump systems require a special thermostat to control the stages of heating especially as many have an “emergency heat” feature.

Wi-Fi enabled thermostats are “smart thermostats.”

What’s all the buzz about concerning WiFi thermostats? There are a couple of advantages. Because they are Wi-Fi enabled, they may be controlled wirelessly, allowing the user to adjust the set points through a device such as a computer, smart phone, tablet, or watch while you’re away. You can also monitor your house while you’re away. Most of these apps can email or text you if the house gets too warm, too cold, too humid, or if the power goes out. Some of these advanced thermostats can monitor a freezer, sump pit, etc. and email you if there are any problems.

Many models go beyond that, being analytics capable, which means they offer the ability to drive additional energy savings through remotely-driven adjustments that can improve the efficiency of the heating/cooling system. Some thermostats also offer:

• E-mail communications through which the user can better understand their energy use,
• Occupancy-sensing/geofencing functionality (allowing the “away” setting to be activated when the building is unoccupied),
• Automatically adjusting the thermostat settings based on user behavior,
• Factoring in weather-related data to improve savings over time, and/or
• Allowing the thermostats to interact with other Wi-Fi enabled devices in the home.

There is one caveat to Wi-Fi thermostats. That is, that they need to be fed by power from the HVAC system and cannot be run on batteries like most digital thermostats. Not all systems have the appropriate number of wires (conductors) running to the existing thermostats. It is not always easy to get a new wire to some of these locations making Wi-Fi thermostats many times more expensive to install. This is not ALWAYS the case, however it is very often the case.

More tips regarding thermostats

Location is key. Many people don’t realize that the placement of the thermostat can have a direct effect on the energy use for a home or business. Finding a good location to place a thermostat can be difficult at times. Avoid direct sunlight, place it away from windows radiators, supply registers, and other sources of heat like electronics and lamps, and never in the kitchen.

The more the merrier. Having multiple zones with individual thermostats will help to save money heating or cooling the building in the long run. Some rooms or areas in your building may not be utilized as much as others. In larger open spaces or open floor plans, sensors can be used in conjunction with thermostats to average the temperatures for a more accurate number saving even more energy and money.

It is not always the thermostat. You may have noticed at times that you can’t get the temperature to your liking, don’t jump right to the idea that your thermostat is faulty. In reality, the problem usually stems from your HVAC system itself due to improper sizing, mechanical failure or poor duct-work sizing and construction. CONTACT US HERE to offer a more accurate diagnosis.

Thermostats are a vital part of our everyday comfort, so having a programmable thermostat installed in your home is a win-win situation. They are convenient, bring added comfort, and save you both energy and money.

Are you ready to upgrade your thermostat? Contact us today! We offer many lines of programmable thermostats and installation as well.

However

Finding the right unit for your home can maybe be a bit overwhelming. Many factors go into determining which equipment is right for your home. The best way is to have Climate Creator, LLC visit your location and look everything over.

The BUZZ words of efficiency

We recommend you do some research on your own. However, during your research, you will see the acronyms EER and SEER, here’s what they mean to you. These are probably the best ways to get a snapshot of a unit’s energy efficiency. EER stands for “Energy Efficient Ratio” and is comparable to a car’s MPG rating. In other words, this rating describes the unit’s efficiencies under peak demand on the hottest day of the year. EER will indicate how much cooling output in BTU’s is generated for every unit of energy in watts is consumed. An EER of 12 or higher is considered excellent. The term SEER, or “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio” is a complicated formula. SEER measures cooling output vs. energy consumed over the course of time. This number is usually between 13 and 23, with the higher number corresponding to more energy efficiency.

In 2015, the government made regulations that put into place formulas to take into consideration geographic location as well. In hotter areas, the cooling output is greater. Since SEER is based on an average temperature of 83°, for every 5° above this, you subtract 1 SEER point. EER rates how well the unit stands up to the hottest day of the year. SEER rates how it performs over the entire summer season.

Bottom line

Either way, switching to a more efficient model can save you a significant amount in terms of energy costs. Assuming all factors equal, replacing a SEER 10 unit for a SEER 15 unit could help you save 34% per year by cutting cooling costs and energy consumption!

The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient an air conditioning system will be, and sometimes the SEER minimum is mandated. For instance, here in Connecticut the minimum rating is 14. Bear in mind that’s bare minimum, and ratings can go as high as 25 or MORE. You see, you should be super energy efficient if your budget allows it. Just remember, many times with greater efficiency comes greater outdoor and indoor coil sizes. Something to consider if you’re tight on space.

At Climate Creator, LLC, we install many brands of air conditioners with excellent EER and SEER ratings. We will help you in upgrading to a more energy efficient system. Just contact us and we’ll find exactly the right equipment for your home’s needs.

What should I set my thermostat to or at?

This might actually be THE most asked question. The short answer? Set it to wherever you are most comfortable. This setting varies widely between ages and people. Here in CT I would not set it lower than 68 for AC mode or 58 in heating mode. Now the only real concern is if you want to save some money on your energy costs. Therefore if that’s your goal you’ll need to sacrifice some comfort to achieve this. You can save on energy by setting the thermostat back no more than 5 degrees during away or sleep times of no more than 12 hours. The longer you’re away the lower or higher you can set it. Heat pump users may want to abstain from setting back unless the temps are mild outside during the heating cycle. A temperature of around 50 degrees would be the time to start considering this. The reason being is if it’s colder, the thermostat could energize your backup heat which, if it’s electric heat, will actually cost more than you save with the setback. Click Here For Further Reading

What is this fan on auto switch? Where should it be?

The fan switch on older thermostats or option on digital thermostats has two settings. Setting it to AUTO will only allow the air circulation blower (fan) to run when the system is calling for heat or Air Conditioning. Setting the option to ON will run the blower (fan) constantly. Some thermostats even have an exercise option that will run the blower at scheduled intervals and duration. Sometimes it may be helpful to have the blower running if you want to even out the temperature between rooms and floors. Also, the constant circulation means air is always being sucked into the return to be conditioned by air filtration, UV Light sterilization, and humidity adjustments. In the winter, however, this can lead to draftiness and might make the room feel colder than it is. In the summer, when the cooling is cycling on & off, the constant airflow can cause higher levels of humidity as it evaporates the water left on the cooling coil when the A/C shuts off. Try both modes to find what works for you.

How often do I have to replace my air filter?

How often the air filter needs to be replaced depends on a few things. Firstly the amount of dust in your home. Dust is made up of many things and it could come in on your clothes when you return home as well. If the dust is settled and is disturbed while the blower is running, dust will be sucked in and caught. The more sources of dust, such as people & pets, traffic and activity in the home the more often you’ll need to replace the air filter. The best practice is to date the air filter with a pen or permanent marker, then check the filter at regular intervals to determine how long it can go before replacement. Air conditioning season will need the cleanest air so definitely replace the filter when you switch modes from heating to cooling. There are better options for filtration than the 1 inch filter. The best bet for price and performance is a media air cleaner. This is a 4-5” replaceable filter that goes in a cabinet in your furnace’s return air duct. For most homes, they last 1 year. To learn more and for further reading CLICK HERE.

Do I need a humidifier?

Do you need a humidifier? The quick answer is no, or else every home and conditioned space would have them. However, humidifiers will make you more comfortable.

Dry air can lead to dry skin, itchy eyes, and irritated nasal passages. It can cause a bloody nose or an itchy throat and can aggravate symptoms of the common cold and some respiratory ailments. It also increases static electricity, which you feel in your clothes and hair and on furniture and carpeting. Raising the humidity usually reduces or alleviates these symptoms if you can get it up to a comfortable level, while raising it a marginal amount may have no effect on your comfort.

It’s a law of nature that wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity. If you really can’t bear the sight of gaps in wood flooring or creaky floorboards in the wintertime, you may benefit from a humidifier. Also wood musical instruments present a dilemma we have had musicians ask us to keep their humidity constant to benefit guitars and violins.

The biggest reason to get a humidifier is to make you feel more comfortable in the heating season at a lower temperature. Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”? Humidity is what makes you FEEL hotter even thought the temperature may be the same or even set lower saving you energy in the long run. For further reading CLICK HERE.

Pick one up HERE and keep it handy. Especially useful to be that second set of hands during a repair.

The award-winning APCO
system (Advanced Photocatalytic Oxidation) represents an entirely new type of air purifier. APCO
is installed in the ductwork of the central air system where it scrubs the air as is passes by. APCO’s unique combination of UVC light and activated carbon achieves unmatched germ and odor reduction without producing any harmful ozone. APCO
is particularly effective at reducing odor-causing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which include toxic chemical vapors like formaldehyde and toluene present in one-third of the air you breathe.

The Other Two Thirds

Airborne contaminants can be divided roughly into thirds. Conventional filtration is effective against particulates, like dust, but has no effect on the other two thirds. APCO
is proven to safely reduce both VOCs and biological contaminants inside the air system and throughout the home.

Made in the USA

Fresh-Aire UV products are designed and assembled in Jupiter, Florida. All of our parts and sub-assemblies are also made in America with a few unavoidable exceptions.

Pick a Winner

APCO
is a winner of the prestigious AHR Innovation Award, the
highest honor in the HVAC industry! There are several APCO
models, designed to fit all types of air systems, which all use the the same award-winning technology.
We will be happy to help you select the right one for your home or business.

No Worries!

We are so confident in the quality of our design and manufacturing that this product comes with a lifetime warranty on all parts except the UV lamp (which needs to be replaced every one or two years depending on model).

Ozone-Free

Fresh Air UV Ozone Free

Many air purifiers that claim to reduce odors do so by generating harmful ozone. APCO
not only does not produce ozone, it actually removes it from the air!

Odor Control

Let’s face it, no one wants visiting friends or family to smell the cat box or last night’s garlic sauce. You could use a spray or a candle but those things just perfume the air. APCO
actually removes odors by transforming odor-causing VOC molecules into harmless water vapor and CO2. So keep the cat, and fry that fish!

Clean Coils

Moldy coils shorten the life of the air system and waste energy by reducing efficiency.

UVC light kills the mold and reduces the need for system maintenance.

Indoor Air Quality

According to the EPA indoor air pollution is often five times worse than outdoor and represents a significant health risk. An APCO whole-house air purifier improves indoor air quality by destroying odor-causing and potentially toxic VOCs, while sterilizing mold, bacteria, viruses, and allergens from the air stream

Advanced Photocatalytic Oxidation

APCO detoxes the air with a process called photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), a technology similar to the catalytic converter on your car’s exhaust. UVC light reacts with titanium dioxide infused into the carbon which effectively disintegrates the captured contaminants, leaving only harmless water vapor and CO₂ which are released back into the air. This process leaves the carbon cells clean so they never fill up or need to be replaced. The result is clean, odor-free air throughout the home.

Germ-Killing Power of UVC Light

For over a century scientists have known about the germ-killing properties of UVC light. Because this frequency of light is filtered out by the Earth’s atmosphere microorganisms have no defense against it. It works by scrambling their DNA which prevents them from reproducing.

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