HOW DOES A SMART THERMOSTAT WORK?: YOUR IN-DEPTH GUIDE
A smart thermostat can feel like the ultimate accessory for saving time and money…if you know how it works. If not, you may wonder if you just spent too much money on an overhyped tool.
How does a smart thermostat work and do you need one for your Tennessee home? What does auto mode mean on a thermostat and can you remote control your settings? We’ll break down the primary features of your smart thermostat, how it connects to your HVAC system, and why these digital tools are all the rage these days.
HOW DOES A SMART THERMOSTAT WORK?
A smart thermostat connects directly to your HVAC system to send readings that trigger different actions. While standard thermostats require you to constantly check their readings or tweak them to match the weather, smart thermostats take the work off your plate by learning and automatically adjusting your home's temperature to your lifestyle, work schedule, and preferences.
Smart thermostats can also connect to WiFi and apps so you can control your HVAC system directly from your phone—wherever you’re at.
It helps to think of your smart thermostat like a partner that helps you maintain your household. First, let’s look at the common modes that smart thermostats share with your standard thermostat.
Heating and cooling: Control how warm or cold you want the house to be.
Auto: This setting automatically switches between heating and cooling to maintain your desired temperature.
Emergency heat: Your thermostat activates a backup heating source if your primary heating system cannot meet demand or experiences a problem.
Hold: This setting pauses the thermostat’s programmed setting until you manually change it.
Schedule: You can pre-program cooling or heating schedules to match your lifestyle.
Away Mode: Use this mode when you don’t want your settings to change while you’re gone.
Smart Thermostat Mode Cheat Sheet
Thermostat Mode | What It Does | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
Heat | Runs your heating system to reach your temperature setting. | Use during cooler Tennessee weather when your home feels chilly. |
Cool | Runs your air conditioner to reach your comfort level. | Use during warm or humid days, usually in the summer. |
Auto | Switches between heating and cooling as needed. | Use during mild seasons when temperatures swing between warm days and cool nights. |
Emergency Heat | Uses backup heat when a heat pump can’t keep up or has a problem. | Use only when needed, especially if your heat pump is not heating properly. |
Fan Auto | Runs the fan only when heating or cooling is active. | Use for everyday efficiency and normal comfort. |
Fan On | Keeps the fan running continuously. | Use when you want more air circulation, but expect higher energy use. |
Hold | Keeps one temperature setting until you change it. | Use when your routine changes for a day or two. |
Away | Adjusts your settings while you are gone to reduce unnecessary heating or cooling. | Use when the house is empty for several hours or more. |
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SMART THERMOSTAT AND A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT?
A programmable thermostat can’t automatically update to your schedule, nor is it connected to Wi-Fi. If you want to schedule your heating and cooling or set it to auto mode, you still have to do everything manually.
A smart thermostat is more hands-off, providing remote control as well as several automated features that adapt on the fly. If you want to learn even more differences between home upgrades, read our guide on the difference between a smart thermostat and a Wi-Fi thermostat.
SMART THERMOSTAT FEATURES THAT MATTER
Still not sure how to use a smart thermostat? These are the features that will make or break your decision to install one.
SCHEDULE
Do you want to come home to a warm house in the middle of winter? You don’t even need to set your heating schedule to warm the house before you arrive home from work. These scheduling features are even more advanced since they can analyze and adapt to your routines.
For example, if you tend to cool your house at night, the smart thermostat will automatically start cooling around that time. If you only use your heating for an hour in the morning, it’ll follow the same pattern.
REMOTE CONTROL
Don’t feel like going to your thermostat every time you want to tweak the temperature? Smart thermostats let you change your settings from an app on your phone or tablet.
GEOFENCING
Smart thermostats can tell when you’re leaving or coming home through geofencing features. This digital setting automatically adjusts to programmed schedules after sensing your location within a set area (such as within three miles of the house).
OCCUPANCY SENSOR
How does a smart thermostat work when it comes to your family and lifestyle? A smart thermostat’s occupancy sensor is a useful feature that notices when a room is empty for too long and adjusts the temperature as needed.
In other words, no more wasting cool air or extra heat on a room with no people. However, if you still want to change the temperature before people come home, you can then use previous features like smart scheduling or geofencing.
ENERGY TRACKING
One of the most popular reasons why homeowners choose a smart thermostat is its energy-tracking feature, which can show you exactly what you’re spending. This feature is a must-have to save money during winter and summer. You’ll also get detailed lists of your past energy habits so you can figure out your spending trends.
MAINTENANCE REMINDERS AND ALERTS
When you’re too busy to remember a scheduled maintenance appointment, the smart thermostat also functions as a calendar. It can also remind you when it’s time to change filters or if something is wrong with your HVAC system.
Where should a thermostat be placed in the house? That’s just one of the many questions we can answer. Give us a call to speak with a specialist on how to get the most out of your installation.
Smart Thermostat Features and Why They Matter
Feature | How It Helps You | Helpful Example |
|---|---|---|
Smart scheduling | Reduces the need to adjust temperatures by hand. | Your thermostat learns when you adjust the temperature throughout the day to understand your preferences. |
Remote control | Lets you change settings when you are away from the thermostat. | You adjust the temperature before coming home from work. |
Geofencing | Uses your phone’s location to help adjust comfort settings. | The thermostat shifts into away mode after you leave the house. |
Occupancy sensing | Detects when certain spaces are empty. | The system avoids over-conditioning unused rooms. |
Energy tracking | Shows patterns in heating and cooling use. | You can see when your system works hardest during hot or cold weather. |
Maintenance alerts | Helps you stay ahead of small upkeep tasks. | You get a reminder when it may be time to change the air filter. |
HOW TO SET UP A SMART THERMOSTAT: STEP-BY-STEP
When you reach out to a technician to install a smart thermostat, you may worry there’s a steep learning curve before you can enjoy the benefits. Fortunately, smart thermostats are a straightforward addition to the modern home.
Smart Thermostat Setup Checklist: Step-By-Step
Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
1 | Connect the thermostat to Wi-Fi. | This enables app control, updates, and smart features. |
2 | Download the thermostat app. | The app is where you control settings, reports, alerts, and schedules. |
3 | Set your comfort preferences. | This gives the thermostat a starting point for heating and cooling. |
4 | Create or review your schedule. | A schedule helps reduce unnecessary heating and cooling. |
5 | Turn on alerts and reminders. | Maintenance and system alerts can help you catch issues earlier. |
6 | Watch comfort and energy patterns. | Small adjustments over time can improve comfort and control. |
Need help setting up your smart thermostat, or have question? Give our experts a call at 901-248-1961 and we’ll be happy to help.
WHEN 72 DEGREES DOESN’T FEEL LIKE 72 DEGREES: THE FACTORS AFFECTING YOUR COMFORT
Humidity has a nasty way of making the air feel warmer than it actually is. Since moisture traps heat, a temperate 72 degrees Fahrenheit can feel closer to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The best temperatures for Tennessee summers are around 76 degrees, while winters should have settings of 68 degrees.
As such, you may think your thermostat is the problem, when Tennessee’s humidity and general climate may actually be to blame. Similarly, your home may also have a few issues preventing you from enjoying your HVAC to the fullest.
There are multiple environmental factors when it comes to heating and cooling your home, such as:
Poor airflow preventing your heating or cooling from reaching the rest of the home
Old or damaged ductwork that leaks conditioned air back outside
An oversized or undersized HVAC that doesn’t match your home’s layout
THERMOSTAT PROBLEM OR HVAC PROBLEM? HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE
Now that you know how a smart thermostat works, will it fix what’s ailing your HVAC? Before you take the plunge, rule out these possible causes that could also be impacting your home’s comfort:
Dead thermostat batteries or faulty wiring
Dirty filters or frozen coils clogging your HVAC’s airflow
Leaky ductwork creating irregular heating and cooling
An aging system that may be nearing the end of its expected lifespan
Tripped circuit breakers
Is It a Thermostat Problem or an HVAC Problem?
What You Notice | Possible Thermostat Issue | Possible HVAC Issue | What to Try First |
|---|---|---|---|
The screen is blank | Dead batteries, loose wiring, or no power | Tripped breaker or system power issue | Check batteries, breaker, and thermostat settings. |
The temperature is wrong | Poor thermostat placement or calibration issue | Uneven airflow, duct leaks, or system sizing issue | Make sure the thermostat is away from heat, sunlight, and drafts. |
The system will not turn on | Incorrect mode, schedule, or wiring issue | Equipment failure, frozen coil, or electrical issue | Confirm the mode is set to heat or cool and the set temperature calls for operation. |
Some rooms feel uncomfortable | Sensor issue or thermostat placed in one uneven area | Poor airflow, ductwork problems, or insulation gaps | Check vents, filters, and whether doors are blocking airflow. |
Energy use seems high | Aggressive schedule or frequent manual changes | Dirty filter, aging system, or leaky ducts | Review app energy reports and replace the filter if needed. |
INSTALL A NEW SMART THERMOSTAT WITH CONWAY SERVICES
The pros and cons of a smart thermostat come down to your personal preferences and your home’s style. An old home with an aging HVAC system may not be compatible with new technology, while a newer home with new equipment may benefit immensely.
Smart thermostats provide an exceptional level of control over your energy usage and home comfort. Want to learn how we can help you enjoy a new smart thermostat? Schedule an appointment online for an in-home inspection!