{"id":5696,"date":"2015-07-01T11:00:37","date_gmt":"2015-07-01T15:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/?p=5696"},"modified":"2024-02-12T17:41:16","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T22:41:16","slug":"pre-cool-your-house-with-a-smart-thermostat-or-a-dumb-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/pre-cool-your-house-with-a-smart-thermostat-or-a-dumb-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Pre-Cool Your House with a Smart Thermostat or a “Dumb” One"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you really need a smart thermostat to enjoy the pleasure of coming home to a pre-cooled house or apartment on a hot summer day? No, you don\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t. There are various types of remote thermostats that allow you to control your air conditioning from anywhere, and even those considered \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cnot smart” (or dumb) let you control your HVAC system remotely. If you\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2re looking for a way to get your air conditioning or heat cranking before you return from the office or arrive at your vacation house, here\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s a brief primer on choosing a remote thermostat<\/a><\/strong>.\"remote<\/a><\/p>\n

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Smart vs. Dumb Thermostats<\/em><\/h2>\n

A remote thermostat allows you to control the temperature in your home from anywhere. Some are considered “smart.” The defining difference between \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201csmart\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d and \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cdumb\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d remote thermostats is simply how they communicate<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Smart thermostats<\/strong> \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Smart thermostats communicate via the Internet, allowing you to control them using a smartphone, tablet or computer. Also called\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Internet thermostats<\/strong><\/a>, some smart models are wireless and connect to the Internet through WiFi. All smart thermostats require 24\/7 Internet service to operate properly.<\/p>\n

Dumb (but not stupid!) thermostats<\/strong> \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 This type of remote thermostat communicates via a landline phone connection* instead of the Internet and is controlled by phone. Also referred to as a phone thermostat<\/strong><\/a>, this type of remote thermostat is a good solution for homes without a high-speed Internet connection or for users who don\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t have a smartphone or computer.<\/p>\n

*Can also use a cellular connection with additional piece of equipment called a cellular terminal<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Other Things Remote Thermostats Can Do<\/em><\/h2>\n

\"Venstar<\/a>Whether smart or dumb, remote thermostats have lots of features and benefits and most models are multi-functional. In addition to adjusting the temperature inside your home from anywhere, there are many other ways remote thermostats can be used (depending upon model):<\/p>\n