A building or home's HVAC system might be considered to be the "lungs" of the structure. HVAC, which stands for "heating, ventilation and air conditioning," literally helps a building to "breathe."
Additionally, HVAC controls allow the user to maintain a desired temperature in the building. Some HVAC controls even allow for "zone control."
A building's HVAC system is responsible for circulating fresh air and heat (or cool air) throughout the structure. Contaminants and pollutants would linger and stagnate inside of buildings if not for this.
The ventilation component pulls fresh air from outside into the interior. At the same time, it pushes "stale" air from inside the structure back outside again.
When air is pulled in, it is heated or cooled. It is then sent throughout the structure via ducts or pipes, depending on the system type.
The thermostat could be considered the "brain" of the entire HVAC control system. This is the device that tells the heating/cooling unit what to do and when to do it.
The entire system is connected to the thermostat and acts based upon the instructions that it gives. Those instructions, of course, come from the person who sets or programs the thermostat.
HVAC control thermostats come in two major types: programmable and non-programmable. Programmable thermostats are digital. Non-programmable may be digital or non-digital.
What is a programmable thermostat? As its name implies, this kind of HVAC control thermostat is able to receive and relay a complex set of instructions.
The user must enter his desired settings. The number and kinds of settings that he is able to control depend upon the model of the thermostat.
The most technologically advanced units may have multiple features in addition to climate control. One is the ability to program different temperatures for different times of the day.
The thermostat automatically adjusts itself for those times and changes. Siebe and Honeywell controls and others produce thermostats with this capability.
In fact, some models allow for two, three or four different time/climate changes. The user can set instructions for the thermostat to lower the temperature every night.
It can also be set to lower during the day when the house is typically empty. This saves the user from having to manually adjust the heat for those times. Programmable thermostats tend to save energy and money for this reason.
Others allow for "zone control." These units can be set to heat different parts of a structure to different temperatures. This may be especially important in large, multi-use buildings.
What is a non-programmable thermostat? These are also referred to as "manual." They must be set by hand. Non-programmable units have to be changed every time a user wants to maintain a new temperature setting. Many older homes have this type of thermostat.
The major drawback of this type is that the user must remember to re-set the climate himself at night or when the home is empty. Since it can't self adjust, energy is being wasted whenever a user forgets to change the setting.
Though manual thermostats aren't as popular as they once were, some people still prefer them. Elderly home owners in particular find their simplicity easier to cope with.
All programmable thermostats are digital. Digital technology is necessary in order to give the device multiple instructions.
Most are programmed in a manner that is similar to programming a cell phone. Additionally, many models come off of the wall, making it possible to program while sitting at a table.
Manual thermostats can be digital or non-digital. Almost all older models (1980's and earlier) are non-digital. This type is set using buttons or small levers. Most of today's models are digital, allowing for more precise temperature setting.
Today's HVAC controls use better technology. This generally makes them more energy-efficient than those of yesteryear. Most existing homes can easily upgrade to a modern HVAC control thermostat with ease.
