| A thermostat is a device that allows you to control | | | | cooling system to bring the temperature to a level |
| the temperature inside of your home by controlling | | | | that is comfortable. These thermostats are more |
| how your heating or cooling system functions. | | | | accurate than mechanical non-programmable but the |
| Heating devices are turned on when temperatures fall | | | | changes in temperature settings still have to be done |
| below a certain temperature and are turned off | | | | manually. They also do not contain mercury so they |
| when the temperatures rise above another | | | | are more environmentally friendly. |
| temperature. These two temperatures are separated | | | | 3. Digital Programmable: These thermostats work |
| so that the device is not being turned on or off too | | | | similarly to digital non-programmable models but they |
| rapidly and are usually set within a couple of degrees | | | | are far more convenient. You program the |
| from the desired temperature (or set point). More | | | | thermostat to customize your heating system's |
| advanced thermostats can also control cooling | | | | operation to fit your lifestyle and schedule, then relax |
| devices so that a room can cool down faster and | | | | and let the thermostat do the work. Simply program |
| the air conditioner can be turned off when the air | | | | the temperatures you need and what times of the |
| reaches the desired temperature. | | | | day you need them into the thermostat's memory. |
| There are three main categories of thermostats: | | | | You'll only need to program once, until changed to |
| 1. Mechanical Non-programmable: Inside of this kind of | | | | your routine, lifestyle or the seasons happen. |
| thermostat is a coil made of two different metal | | | | There are four ways to program thermostats: |
| strips that are sandwiched together. This coil tips a | | | | 1. 1-Day Programming: The desired temperature can |
| small mercury-filled glass bottle. When the | | | | be set to change throughout the day. |
| temperature inside of the room/home changes, the | | | | 2. 5-2 Days Programming: There are separate |
| two metals expand differently and the coil winds or | | | | programs for weekdays and weekends. |
| unwinds, tipping the glass bottle and rolling the | | | | 3. 5-1-1 Days Programming: There are separate |
| mercury to one end of the bottle. The winding and | | | | programs for the weekdays, Saturday and Sunday. |
| unwinding of the coil controls the furnace. Usually, the | | | | 4. 7 Days Programming: There are separate programs |
| temperature of the room/home stays at the point | | | | for each day of the week. |
| where the bottle of mercury is almost perfectly level. | | | | Thermostats can be placed in convenient places and |
| These are the oldest kind of thermostats but are still | | | | only turn your furnace on when it is needed to |
| widely used because of their simplicity and cost | | | | maintain your desired temperature. They should be |
| effectiveness. The main drawback of these kinds of | | | | located where people spend the most amount of |
| thermostats is that they are less accurate that digital | | | | time, about five feet off of the ground and at least |
| thermostats and cannot support programming | | | | 18 inches away from an outside wall. Always |
| features. | | | | remember to keep your thermostat ways from any |
| 2. Digital Non-programmable: These thermostats work | | | | sources of heat other than the air in the room. They |
| similarly to mechanical non-programmable except that | | | | should be kept away from heater, vents, windows, |
| the metal coil is replaced with an electric temperature | | | | hot-water pipes and out of direct sunlight. They work |
| sensor. The microprocessor inside of it compares its | | | | best when installed away from stairways and corners |
| readings to the desired temperature you select. Start | | | | because these areas can affect the circulation of air. |
| and stop commands are then given to the heating or | | | | |