Technology has had a tremendous effect on home appliances, and it’s only natural for homeowners to upgrade to smart products. Home thermostats are one of the most efficient appliances you can invest in. The smart features are so cool, and you gain full control of your indoor temperatures. And connecting your thermostat to Wi-Fi will provide extra features like real-time alerts on your smartphone.
But, if you’re worried about the thermostat’s reliance on the internet and if it still works if the internet goes down, don’t be. Read on to know how much you’re missing out if you haven’t invested in a smart thermostat.
How Does Smart Thermostat Work?
A smart thermostat is more adaptive and energy-efficient. But you need to modify its settings by downloading an app that will demand a good internet connection. So to set up, you should understand the following:
- Get your smartphone, download the thermostat app, and set your appropriate temperature.
- Your internet router via the internet receives the updated instructions.
- The instructions are then sent to the thermostat by the internet.
- The thermostat regulates the temperature and instructs your boiler to turn it on or off.
Traditional vs. Modern Smart Thermostat Devices
The main distinction between traditional and modern thermostats is based on internet connections. For instance, the utilization of a wired connection is the primary distinction between standard thermostats and smart thermostats. Traditional thermostats use wired connections to HVAC systems, while smart thermostats are wireless and offer app communication. Here you tap and adjust your settings remotely.
A traditional thermostat has two switches that move tiny metal balls to make the interaction between the various lines on the thermostat’s circuit board. The temperature (hot/cold) is controlled by one of the switches, while the other controls the circulation fan.
Smart thermostats require an active Wi-Fi connection to modify the settings. But, once you successfully configure them, the thermostats can perform essential activities.
Benefits of Smart Thermostat
Despite the limited offline performance, a smart thermostat has numerous advantages that make it a great choice for anyone in need of taking total control of their thermostat.
Some of the benefits of choosing a smart thermostat are as follows:
User-friendly
No one enjoys devices that are too complicated to operate. You want to set up and reap the benefits easily. Smart thermostats are simple to use. They use mobile app interfaces and have a touch display compared to traditional thermostats with buttons and knobs. And any damage to these buttons makes you lose control of the thermostat.
Smart thermostat models give you an alternative where you can connect with your mobile phone or use the screen to control the device. In addition, some modern types are accessible with voice control agents, improving the ease of use.
Minimize Energy Cost
Finding a way to minimize your energy cost is good. Installing a smart thermostat gives you control. For instance, you can program your HVAC system to operate less whenever you’re not indoors and reduce your energy consumption. In addition, mobile alerts can help you analyze your HVAC system and detect unusual variations.
Tracks Energy Usage
A smart thermostat helps you create an energy profile for your house. This way, you can easily track your energy consumption levels and the energy costs to prepare you for the cost expected changes in planning your energy cost expenditure. Investing in a good model may also help you adjust your HVAC system to fit your temperature preferences which may save your electricity costs.
Remote Control
A digital thermostat is a great option that you can control from the touch of your hand. Anytime you’re having those lazy and tiresome days and need cool and refreshing air, all you need is a smart thermostat. Thanks to the mobile connectivity, you can modify your thermostat program. Additionally, depending on the weather conditions, you may adjust the cooling frequency to keep your indoor temperatures warmer or colder while on holidays.
Easy to install
Once you buy a smart thermostat, you don’t necessarily need to hire someone to install it. All you need is to follow the manual carefully. Then you can follow the below steps:
- Turn off the electricity to the current conventional thermostat.
- Disconnect the analog thermostat.
- Connect the cables to the upgrade digital thermostat.
- Install the faceplate of the smart thermostat.
- Switch on the electricity supply.
- To program the updated thermostat, follow the operating manual.
What You Should Not Expect From Unconnected Smart Thermostats
The freedom to manipulate your smart thermostat settings is dependent on a Wi-Fi connection. You can still use your smart thermostat without an internet connection, but you miss out on the cool and advanced features. And so lack of internet connection limits your smart features. You should not expect some of the below benefits:
App Alerts
You lose the remote connectivity feature once your upgraded thermostat is not Wi-Fi connected. This means that you cannot modify or alter any commands to the thermostat system.
Adjustability
One of the distinguishing qualities of any Wi-Fi thermostat is the ability to adjust. You can regulate your indoor’s temperature depending on the outside weather, but there must be an internet connection. When the gadget lacks the internet, it fails to download weather predictions based on geographical location. The device fails to modify the internal temperature according to the outdoor weather changes as it fails to recognize the changes.
Lacks Activity History
Modern thermostats use their servers to collect records on the water temperature, power generation via solar panels, inside temperature, and several other things. You can use your app to track this information history but only through operational internet access. Any failure to connect to Wi-Fi will prevent these from storing such information.
Conclusion
Smart thermostats can properly maintain your home’s temperature without an active Wi-Fi connection. But the fact that you were eager to update your thermostat means that you love the cool and advanced features. So it would be best if you had a Wi-Fi connection to access the special features and modify preferences with the app’s support.
Slava is a man of mystery and no-one seems to know exactly where he is at any point in time. When he isn't enjoying writing about all things audio and technical he can be found researching his next project of interest. The man never rests.