When I bought my house, there was an older thermostat already in place.
It was a plastic dial that required manual adjustment.
Since the thermostat fulfilled its function, I wasn’t in a hurry to replace it. There were a number of bigger improvements that needed to be done around the house. I had crumbling plaster walls, electrical lines that didn’t meet safety codes, a leaking roof and windows that allowed drafts. All of the appliances needed to be replaced, and I wanted to refinish the hardwood floors. I also needed to invest some money into the heating and cooling system. The ductwork had never been properly cared for, and there were leaks, a significant buildup of contaminants within the pipes and whole sections that needed to be replaced. I eventually took out a loan to update the furnace and air conditioner. At that time, the contractor recommended that I also upgrade to a modern thermostat. Since I was already spending a small fortune, a couple hundred extra dollars didn’t make much difference. I didn’t realize that the smart thermostat would make such a huge improvement in my level of comfort while also saving money. Because of the thermostat, the furnace and air conditioner work at peak efficiency. The device automatically makes adjustments to conserve energy when the house is empty or my family is asleep. It keeps track of which rooms are occupied, which ones are empty and sets the temperature accordingly. Plus, the thermostat reminds me when it’s time to change filters or schedule regular professional maintenance. It tracks our energy usage and offers tips for improvement. It’s also super convenient to be able to access all of the many features through an app on my smartphone from virtually anywhere.