Improve comfort and lower heating and cooling cost by using a digital programmable thermostat1/9/2019 The thermostat is probably the most familiar component of our home or workplace heating and cooling system (we should pay as much attention to our filters). The most common question that I get .from homeowners is, "Do you think that I need a new thermostat?" I will try to answer this question as briefly as possible.
If you are not using a digital programmable thermostat then you should have one installed and programmed by a Heating and Cooling professional. The benefits of having a professional licensed contractor are that a professional installs thermostats frequently, has expertise in knowledge of the product install and operation, and generally provides warranty service. In fact, the thermostat that one would buy at a retail store is not the same thermostat that your contractor will install. Most thermostat manufacturers add at least three years to the product warranty when installed by a licensed HVAC contractor. Bi metal thermostats use two thin pieces of different metals that are fused together to open and close the thermostat contacts. Because the two metals expand and contract at different rates, during a temperature change, the strip flexes and bows which opens and closes the control contacts. Bi metal thermostats were only ever accurate to .5 degrees F to 2 degrees F when brand new. How accurate do you think it might be after years of flexing and bowing? Digital programmable thermostats offer exact temperature control. The thermostat uses a special resistor called a thermistor to measure the temperature. The resistance of the thermistor will either rise or fall during a temperature change. The thermistor is connected to a microcontroller that converts the resistance into a temperature reading. Digital thermostats have an accuracy of .1 degree F. Programmable thermostats save heating and cooling operating cost by following a preset schedule to set back the thermostat when the occupants are away or sleeping. The EPA states that we can save 1% operating cost for every 1 degree F that the thermostat is set back over an eight hour period. Because of long recovery times, due to low supply air temperatures, thermostat setback is not economical in the heating mode for heat pump systems. It will provide set back savings in the cooling mode. Smart thermostats or WiFi thermostats can actually be monitored and controlled by an app or website using a smart phone. This is helpful for those who are away for extended periods of time. These thermostats will even send an email alert to the user and any designated contacts that certain chosen conditions exist. You can even choose your Heating and Cooling expert as a contact. Of course a WiFi connection is required for these types of thermostats. I am currently using the Ecobee4 in my home. Although I can't download the app on my Kindle Fire, I can log on to my Ecobee account and control the thermostat as well as view system run times and reports. It actually tracks my system run time and estimated savings. Since registering my Ecobee4 in August of 2018 (less than six months) I have saved an estimated $71.55. Did I mention that it also has Alexa inside, a pretty neat feature. Start saving money and have more control over your home or business by choosing RWK Heating and Cooling, LLC to install your new Smart, WiFi, or digital programmable thermostat today. Call 330-280-1482.
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PRELUDE The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) definition of air conditioning is: "The process of treating air so as to control simultaneously its temperature, humidity, cleanliness and distribution to meet the requirements of the conditioned space."
Many of us only think about the process of air conditioning in terms of cooling the home in the summer months. Comfort air conditioning by definition includes these important actions that are involved during the heating and cooling season:
I have written a blog about the effects of humidity control on our comfort https://rwkheatingandcooling.weebly.com/blog I am in the process of writing on the topic of temperature control. In the meantime, if anyone has any questions, comments, or concerns about their home's Comfort Air Conditioning system, please contact us at RWK Heating and Cooling LLC, 330-28-1482 or [email protected]. |
AuthorBob was born and raised in East Central Ohio. He is a family man with more than 20 years of experience in the HVAC field. Archives
May 2019
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