What is a thermostat?

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Definition of a thermostat

A thermostat is a device that controls the ambient temperature of a space by regulating the flow of heat. Thermostats can be used to control the temperature of a room, home, office, or other space. They are often used to regulate the temperature of heating and cooling systems, such as furnaces, boilers, and air conditioners.

Thermostats are designed to maintain a comfortable ambient temperature in space by turning the heating or cooling system on or off as needed. They can be set to a specific temperature, or they can be set to operate automatically based on the temperature of the space.

Thermostats are usually placed on an exterior wall so that they can accurately sense the temperature of the space.

Types of Thermostats

  • Mechanical thermostat
  • Non-Programmable thermostat
  • Programmable thermostat
  • WIFI thermostat
  • Smart thermostat

Mechanical Thermostats

A mechanical thermostat is a type of thermostat that uses bimetallic strips as its temperature sensor to measure the temperature of a space. The thermostat then turns the heating or cooling system on or off as needed to maintain the desired temperature.

A bimetallic strip is a material that is used in mechanical thermostats. It is made of two different types of metal that react to heat differently. When the strip gets hot, it bends one way. When it gets cold, it bends the other way. This helps the thermostat know when to turn on the heating or cooling system.

Mechanical thermostats are less expensive than electronic thermostats and are easier to install. However, they are not as accurate as electronic thermostats and may not work with certain types of heating and cooling systems.

The Honeywell round thermostat is an excellent example of a tried and true mechanical thermostat that is very durable doesn’t require batteries and works with many heating and cooling systems.

 

Honeywell Home CT87N1001 The Round Non-Programmable Manual Thermostat

Non-programmable thermostats

Non-programmable thermostats are the most basic type of home thermostat. They are simple devices that allow you to set a fixed temperature for a space. They are less expensive than programmable thermostats and are easier to use. However, they also have fewer features and cannot be controlled remotely. These thermostats can be either digital thermostats or analog with a manual temperature dial.

The Honeywell 1000 series non-programmable thermostat is a good basic electronic thermostat.

Honeywell TH1100DV1000/U Pro 1000 Vertical Non-Programmable Thermostat

Programmable Thermostats

These modern thermostats are more advanced than their non-programmable predecessors. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they can be operated manually or automatically.

Most programmable thermostats allow you to set temperatures for different times of the day, which can help save energy and money on your heating bills.

The Lux Products TX9600TS  is a basic programmable thermostat that excels at turning your heating and cooling system, such as an HVAC, on and off at the right time and to the right temperature.

For more information on this thermostat and other programmable thermostats, be sure to check out our programmable thermostat reviews.

Lux Products TX9600TS Programmable Large Touchscreen Heating Cooling Thermostat

WIFI Thermostats

A WIFI thermostat is a type of thermostat that can be controlled using a computer or mobile device.

WIFI thermostats are more advanced than non-programmable thermostats, and they allow you to control the temperature of your home or office from anywhere in the world.

They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they can be operated manually or automatically. Most WIFI thermostats allow you to set different temperatures for different times of the day, which can help save energy and money.

The Honeywell Home Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat (RTH6580WF)  is a great basic WIFI thermostat.  While not having some of the features that a Smart thermostat has, it still gives you the ability to regulate temperature and programming from your computer or mobile device.


Honeywell Home Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat (RTH6580WF)

Smart Thermostats

These thermostats allow you to set temperatures for different times of the day, which can help save energy and money on your home’s heating bills.

They also often include features such as Wi-Fi connectivity and voice control. This allows you to control the temperature of your home from anywhere in the world, and even speak to your thermostat to change the temperature in your home.

Smart thermostats can learn your habits and behaviors in your home to save you money.

Smart thermostats are more expensive than all other types of thermostats, but they offer a variety of features that can save you money in the long run.

The Google Nest 3rd generation thermostat has many smart features to make your life simpler. It can learn your habits and adjust to them as well as adjust to the changing seasons.  It will help you choose an energy-saving setting as well as record your energy use so you can view your savings.

You can read our full review of the Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation by clicking on this link https://thermostatsauthority.com/nest-learning-thermostat-3rd-generation-review/

Google Nest Learning Thermostat -3rd Generation Nest Thermostat

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a thermostat?

A: A thermostat is a device that is used to control the temperature of a space.

 

Q: How does a thermostat work?

A: A thermostat uses a sensor to measure the temperature of a space. The thermostat then turns the heating or cooling system on or off as needed to maintain the desired temperature.

 

Q: Can I control my thermostat remotely?

A: Some thermostats can be controlled remotely using a computer or mobile device.

 

Q: Can I set different temperatures for different times of the day?

A: Yes, some thermostats allow you to set different temperatures for different times of the day.

Q: What is an electronic thermostat?

A: An electronic thermostat is a type of thermostat that uses an electronic sensor to measure the temperature of a space. The thermostat then turns the heating or cooling system on or off as needed to maintain the desired temperature.

 

Q: What is a mechanical thermostat?

A: A mechanical thermostat is a type of thermostat that uses a bimetallic strip to measure the temperature of a space. The thermostat then turns the heating or cooling system on or off as needed to maintain the desired temperature.

 

Q: What is a bimetallic strip?

A: A bimetallic strip is a material that is used in thermostats. It is made of two different types of metal that react to heat differently. When the strip gets hot, it bends one way. When it gets cold, it bends the other way. This helps the thermostat know when to turn on the heating or cooling system.

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