Introduction
Keeping your Louisiana home cool and comfortable during the sticky and oppressive summer season is a bit of a challenge. And the utility bills can make anyone break out into a sweat. But, the key to managing your monthly utility expenses in the Bayou State is actually your thermostat. While traditional thermostats are excellent at handling temperature shifts as long as you program them, smart thermostats adjust their performance based on weather forecasts and your proximity. If you’re debating between smart thermostat vs traditional thermostat; Gauthier’s Air Conditioning and Heating lists a few factors to help you choose.
Beating The Bills & Humidity: Manual Or Digital Thermostats In Louisiana
Are you doing an HVAC upgrade for your Pelican State home? While getting new equipment can definitely take your electricity bills down a few notches, the new AC and furnace aren’t going to help much if you don’t address the thermostat along with them. A traditional thermostat only has one speed, which makes it impossible to get that happy medium when the state is in between seasons. In contrast, a connected thermostat adjusts automatically; leading to increased comfort and low utility bills.
Here is a closer comparison of the two.
Installation Costs
The first thing you’ll want to know is the price. While one of the key programmable thermostat benefits is that it only costs $60-200 for the installation; the smart thermostat installation cost is actually $200-500 in Louisiana. So, choose wisely.
Relative Humidity Sensing
While people with traditional thermostats lower the temperature to 70 degrees to tackle the humidity; a Wi-Fi thermostat uses its hygrometer and pulls out humidity while keeping the temperature at 75. This improves performance while keeping bills low.
Over-Cooling Expenses
While analogue thermostats constantly over-cool your space to try to keep the condensation at bay, smart thermostats maintain a higher temperature. This slight difference leads to a 3% saving on every raised degree; proving the Wi-Fi thermostat New Orleans is superior.
Fan Mode
The fan running constantly means that the moisture accumulated on the coils gets circulated back into the house, so it can feel like the thermostat is not cooling home. But, with the automated setting of a smart thermostat, the moisture never returns; reducing bills and increasing comfort.
Geofencing
With a programmable thermostat, you must manually turn off the AC when you leave the house. Forgetting means it runs unnecessarily raising your bills. But a smart thermostat reacts based on your phone’s location; lowering performance when you’re away to save on money.
AC Cycling
Traditional thermostats keep cycles short to maintain a specific temperature inside the house. This raises your electricity bills. But a connected thermostat promotes a long and slow cycle; leading to dry interiors and low utility bills.
Latent Heat Management
To keep the Louisiana humidity at bay, the ‘feels like’ temperature shouldn’t be ignored. A traditional thermostat only runs based on the temperature; which doesn’t make it the best thermostat for a humid climate. But, a smart thermostat considers it and makes adjustments.
Equipment Sync
A smart thermostat can effectively command everything from dehumidifiers to ACs to furnaces. This makes it incredibly easy to run different systems in tangent to control indoor humidity and bills. But, a traditional thermostat doesn’t have that feature.
Mold Prevention
Louisiana’s high humidity makes homes in the state especially vulnerable to mold infestations which cost a fortune to remediate. And while a regular thermostat fails to detect moisture spikes and prevent this; a Wi-Fi thermostat picks up on it and doesn’t let spores thrive.
Heat Pump Compatibility
The Spring and Fall seasons in the Pelican State can shift from cool mornings to hot afternoons in no time, making it harder for your heat pump to maintain consistent comfort. If your thermostat is not responding correctly or struggling to control temperatures, professional thermostat repair in Metairie, LA, and surrounding areas can help restore reliable performance. Smart thermostats can also use weather information to make automatic adjustments, helping maintain indoor comfort without unnecessarily increasing your energy bills.
Conclusion
In the end, the debate about smart thermostat vs traditional thermostat can look a little overwhelming upon first glance; but we assure you that a few considerations can help you make the most energy-efficient decision regarding your Louisiana home. Programmable thermostats are cheaper upfront and work great in dry weather; but aren’t quite right for the Bayou state. Connected thermostats take into consideration the ‘feels like’ temperature, learn routines and even consult the forecast to trigger dehumidifiers and adjust your cooling system. We hope the article above was insightful. If you have more queries, please let us know.
FAQS
How long does a smart thermostat last?
A quality Wi-Fi thermostat has a lifespan of about 5-10 years.
Can I install a traditional thermostat myself?
With some basic tools and a camera, you can make it a DIY project.
What are some signs I need a new thermostat?
Get a new one if the display screen is blank or the AC cycles frequently.