You will first need to know the type of system that you
have in your home to accurately choose a thermostat. Every home is
different and in different sections of the states is it necessary to use a
specific type of system to accurately heat or cool homes. We are here to
help you find the correct thermostat for your needs.
There are several different types of systems: line voltage, single stage, multi
stage, heat pumps, and multi stage heat pumps. Each is unique in it's own
way. Read down below to learn more about each type of system.
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Step One: Determine what system you have
Single Stage: (Traditional Gas heat and Electric AC Systems)
Single-stage heating means that your furnace only has one level of heat output. An example would be if you only have a gas, forced air heater, or if you have an electric AC system with a separate heating system. This is the most common type
of system all over the country. If you already have a thermostat then you will generally have 6 wires or less coming from your wall.
Multi Stage: (More than one level of heating or cooling)
Multi Stage heating means that you have two levels of heat
in your home. You will perhaps have a furnace and another method
of heat like a solar panel. The second level of heat is commonly referred
to as an emergency heat setting. Therefore, because the low setting is adequate
to meet household-cooling or heating demands 80% of the time, the
multi-stage unit runs for longer periods and provides more even heat
distribution.
Heat Pump: (If you have this system you will know)
A heat pump is a single system that does both your
heating and cooling. When a heat pump is used you will not have a separate air
conditioning system because the heat pump can do both operations. A heat pump is
used as the emergency heat for multi stage units because it can produce heat
faster than any other unit and heat up your home faster on very cold days; these
systems are popular all over the county but especially in the Northeast. The
Heat Pump thermostat will generally have more than 5 wires and almost always
with a W2 and a C or X wire.
Multi Stage Heat Pump:
(Most advanced thermostat)This system uses more than one
system just like the multi stage but it uses a heat pump as the emergency
heating or cooling. You will have a typical heating or cooling unit and
rely on the heat pump to help your typical system heat or cool faster and more
efficiently. You will have to switch the thermostat to emergency heating
or emergency cooling for this to work but it is more efficient and can make your
home more comfortable faster.
Line Voltage:
(Uses Direct Voltage)A line voltage system uses direct current instead of only 24 volts
like the typical thermostat of today's newer homes. This type of thermostat is
used in older homes that use direct voltage. The power wires are
thicker and they generally run either 120 or 240 volts on direct current. Line voltage electric
heat thermostats are common in older construction especially with baseboard
heaters and with electric heaters. They are NOT used with gas heating (gas heaters
are generally single stage systems). Most line voltage systems are mechanical
rather than digital programmable. Depending on the voltage of the thermostat and
the home the thermostat will use either 2 or 4 wires black and red wires.
Double Pole or Single Pole? A matter of personal preference!
A line voltage single pole thermostat is a system where you cannot shut
off the power to your system. The thermostat connects to the electricity
via 2 wires. Essentially you can turn the temperature far down to prevent the heat coming on
but if your home happens to get to that low temperature your thermostat will
turn on the heat. These types of systems are good for vacation homes in cold climates to make sure that pipes don't freeze.
A line voltage double pole thermostat is the type of system you would want if you need to entirely shut off power to your unit. This thermostat will connect to your power via 4 wires. The double pole
system utilizes a circuit that can completely turn off, similar to an electrical device that has a turn dial that if turned all the way to one side will "click" and completely turn off. This type of system works perfectly for those that shut off their homes completely at night, or have summer homes that they like to power
down.
Step Two: Determine the features you desire
A programmable system has different types of setting depending on the type of programmable. You can
have 5-2, 2-2-1, or 7 day programming capabilities. These are the separate
types of day combinations
that exist for thermostats. These styles have even evolved to include
touch screens.
This style is not programmable but
it has a digital read out similar to your digital alarm clock.
These systems work with a mercury
switch that does the job of a relay switch today. They are not able to be
programmed and are the original technology of thermostats.
THER MOS PA
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