Benefits of Thermostat Upgrade: Environment, Compatibility, Lifespan

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the primary benefits that come with upgrading your home’s thermostat. Particularly if you’re still dealing with an older manual thermostat that requires you to update it for every temperature change, an upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat will go a long way in terms of not only convenience, but also cost savings and other important areas.

At FLAME Heating & Cooling, we’re happy to offer a variety of HVAC services, including home thermostats and various other controls you might be in need of. What are some of the other reasons it pays to upgrade your thermostat if it’s on the older side, and what are specific benefits of modern thermostat installations in a home? Here’s a primer.

Environmentally Friendly

On top of the significant cost savings you bring yourself by making this upgrade, which we went over in part one of our series, you are also being much friendlier to the environment if you upgrade your older thermostat. The primary benefit here is reduced energy usage, which comes about due to how much easier it is to maintain the temperatures you need through a smart thermostat that can be programmed to turn off at certain times – or may even sense these times on its own.

On top of this, modern thermostats don’t use mercury. This is in contrast to some very old models, which still do, and mercury is toxic to the environment.

Zoning System and Compatibility

In some cases, you may be looking to install a zoning system into your HVAC. This is a type that allows for control of separate rooms or areas with varying temperatures and humidity levels – but it’s only possible if you have a compatible thermostat. Older manual models aren’t robust enough to work here, so you’ll need an upgrade if this is the case and you want to install a zoning system.

Heat Pump Lifespan

Finally, does your home utilize a heat pump instead of a furnace for winter heating needs? If so, you might simply be shocked how much an upgraded thermostat will increase its lifespan by. Heat pumps are often worn down through a heavy workload that continues even during non-peak hours, often because homeowners left a manual thermostat on a higher setting – with a smart thermostat, your system will notice this on your behalf and create far less strain on the heat pump, allowing it to sit in the off position for much larger chunks of the day while still keeping your home warm.

For more on the benefits of upgrading your thermostat, or to learn about any of our heating and air services, speak to the staff at FLAME Heating & Cooling today.