There are many different types of thermostats available on the market today. There are just as many brands of thermostats available as there are models of thermostats. Honeywell Thermostats and White Rodgers Thermostats are the most popular brands that you will find at most suppliers. The variety of choices of thermostats can make it confusing for the average consumer who wants to replace their thermostat. The average consumer ends up going to the hardware store or local Lowes or Home Depot and they find the thermostats only to be intimidated by the selection of a thermostat that is suitable for their application of HVAC equipment they currently have installed for their home. Which type and brand of thermostat do you get when selecting a new thermostat? To do that you have to know what kind of HVAC system you have installed for your heating and cooling system.

Do you have a boiler with baseboard heating or radiators with the boiler combination? In addition to the boiler do you have an air conditioning system with duct work or a mini-split ductless system? Do you have a heat pump system? Do you have lectric baseboard heating? Do you have an air conditioner system with electric heat? It is important to know the answers to what kind of HVAC system you have installed in your home.

When you know the type of air conditioning and heating system you have then you can go to the local hardwarde store and purchase a new thermostat. Opinions varying as far as brand of thermostat is concerned but typically Honeywell thermostats and White Rodgers thermostats are the best with the author of this article leaning towards the Honeywell thermostats if I had the coice of thermostats.

Once you are in the hardware store and find the thermostat section you need to read the package and compre it to the type of HVAC air conditioning and heating system you have. All the information should be on back of the package and which system is appropriate for each particular thermostat. Be aware that a heat pump thermostat is different than a thermostat for an air conditioner with a gas furnace for heat.

Additionally electric baseboard heating usually requires a high voltage thermostat. If you have electric baseboard heating make sure you turn the power off before attempting to change the thermostat. It is a good idea to turn the power off to your HVAC system if you change any thermostat. Goodluck and happy thermostat shopping.

HVAC Systems and Thermostats

Window units come in a variety of sizes both dimensionally and in BTU output ratings. Many people do not know that window units also come in different types. There are windows units that offer air conditioning and heating. Some window units have electric heat back up for the heat but there are also heat pump window units available for heating and cooling. The window unit heat pump is a little more expensive to purchase than a straight air conditioner window unit or an air conditioner window unit with electric heat strips but the additional cost with the purchase of a window unit heat pump is usually offset by the savings realized in heating with a heat pump versus heating with electric heat strips. Electric heat strips are 100% efficient but the consume a lot of electricity to generate the heat while a heat pump is all electric also the ration of energy input is better than the ratio of energy input for electric heat strips and what you get back for heat. That is as long as the temperature outside is not less than 38 degrees F. Nearly all heat pumps have back-up heat and this back-up heat is normally electric heat strips. In windows unit heat pumps it always electric heat strips used for the back-up heat. In many air to air heat pump applications when the temperature outside drops below 38 degrees F. it becomes necessary to supplement the heat pump with a back-up source of heat because the heat pump will stop producing enough heat to keep the space heated to set point. Heat pumps use the refrigeration cycle to generate heat. In the process of refrigeration the machine uses a medium (usually refrigerant) to move heat from one place to another. With a heat pump the process of refrigeration works by pulling heat from the outside air in the winter and moving it indoors and in the summer it pulls heat from the air inside the space and rejects this heat outside. This makes the use of heat pumps ideal in geographical regions where the temperature does not go below 38 degrees F. too often. If you live in a geographical region where the climate is not so harsh in the winter and you need a window unit that can also provide heating then a window unit heat pump is a better option than purchasing a window unit with only electric heating capabilities.

HVAC Manufacturers that make window unit heat pumps are many. General Electric, Carrier, Friedrich, Amana, LG Electronics, Pace and many others all compete by offering window unit heat pumps. If you are looking for a window unit heat pump you may want to shop around first. You can also check out some HVAC equipment reviews for reviews on window unit heat pumps or other heating and cooling options available for heating and cooling single zones. By studying the options available to you you can make a good solid and wise decision that will lead to many years of comfort provided by your new HVAC air conditioner or heat pump system. Good Luck to you!

HVAC Systems