What are some of the differences in types of thermostats?

Number of Stages The number of stages refers to the number of heating or cooling sources that may be controlled by a single thermostat.

Programmability Programmability refers to the level of control a user can have over the system. Programmable thermostats allow you to set the heating or cooling system to turn on or off at certain times of the day or on certain days of the week at different temperatures.

Application Thermostats vary by the different types of heating and/or cooling applications they control. Because there are many different heating and cooling sources it is important to make sure the thermostat you purchase can operate the type of heat or cool source you will be using. For example, some thermostats can handle a heat pump system while others cannot.

User Interface User interface refers to the method or way in which a person interacts with their thermostat. Thermostats may be mechanical with a simple dial, digital with buttons to move the temperature up or down, or feature a touch screen. As thermostats move from mechanical to touch screen, they tend to get more complicated in terms of functionality and operation.

Features Some thermostats offer features that are specific to that thermostat. These features may include sensors (indoor, outdoor, remote…), humidification control, color and even user defined backgrounds, internet connectivity, and password protection.

Changeover Type Thermostats may feature automatic changeover or manual changeover. Changeover refers to the thermostat being switched from heat to cool as the air crosses a certain temperature. Auto changeover thermostats switch from heat to cool automatically while manual changeover thermostats must be changed by hand.