WI-FI THERMOSTATS
By Betty Stephens owner of Quest Media
Now you can buy a Wi-Fi thermostat" (or "ip thermostat", "internet thermostat", etc.) which allows you to control your thermostat settings remotely, it can be controlled from a computer or even your iPhone or Smartphone!
With the use of smartphones and laptops now there are ways to put them to work for us in controlling our thermostats. Many companies are putting resources toward creating home wireless thermostats that can be controlled with a Smartphone or computer. Now you can adjust the temperature even when you’re away from home, allowing you to control your heating and air conditioning temperatures and save money no matter where you are. Scheduling when to heat or cool your home is environmentally friendly, saves you money and is easy to do.
The easiest way to reduce your energy bills is to lower your thermostat when the house is empty. For people who work most of the day, set your thermostat much lower (or higher for cooling) during the hours you are gone. Then have a more comfortable temperature kick in about half an hour before you arrive home.
The Wi-Fi thermostat allows you to schedule heating and cooling using a connection to the Internet from a home broadband connection, Utilities can also operate demand response programs through the thermostat, where consumers get a rebate for allowing the utility to change thermostat settings to lower energy use during peak times.
The hope is that easy-to-use Smartphone and tablet apps, which let people remotely, control their heating and cooling, will increase the participation in efficiency and demand response programs. The arrival of popular Wi-Fi thermostat and apps to program thermostats helps make them more consumer-friendly.
Once properly installed, the radio transmitter chip inside the thermostat allows you to connect to your laptop or iPhone using your Wi-Fi network. You are then able to control the thermostat remotely. Even with the thermostats technical advances, it works with all modern central air conditioning units, making it compatible with your home no matter how old.
Wi-Fi Thermostats Features
Here are some features you should look for when installing a Wi-Fi thermostat:
A top-ranking Wi-Fi thermostat should be able to schedule a variety of preferred temperatures based on several weekly or daily programs, such as a seven-day schedule or a weekday and weekend program.
The best Wi-Fi thermostats have a sleek, modern look and are easily integrated into most home designs. Top-ranking thermostats have a touch screen display.
The best Wi-Fi thermostats have advanced features, such as multiple heating and cooling stages, vacation features, a clock, a humidity sensor, an outside temperature display, and compatibility with a mobile app. It offers internet connectivity via Wi-Fi, mobile apps for remote management, and “learning” features that let it auto-program itself based on your habits.
The best Wi-Fi thermostats are backed by a strong warranty. Manufacturers should offer FAQs, online support forums, and installation documents and other helps on their websites.
Costs
The Wi-Fi thermostat tends to be expensive. They retails from $200 to $500 depending on the model and features you want. Some models require a professional contractor to come and install so they can get expensive. Almost any smart thermostat will require more money at the outset than a simple programmable model. Some are designed so you can install them yourself.
