Find the Right Thermostat: Heat Pump, Furnace, Baseboards…

All the more so if your home currently has standard dial thermostats, also called bimetallic or mechanical thermostats, which are increasingly being replaced by electronic, programmable or smart thermostats. It is easy to see why, since they are slow to start and stop the heating system, which causes large temperature swings and instability, and therefore higher energy costs.

More than 50% of your bill!

Did you know? According to Hydro-Québec, heating and cooling costs account for an average of 54% of Quebecers’ energy bills. This shows how important it is to equip your home with an accurate thermostat to set the desired temperature and maintain it.

Thermostats are generally electronic, programmable or smart. To help you decide which thermostat to choose, you must first consider the type of heating units and the voltage.

Among their many advantages, electronic models regularly read the temperature of the room – or of the house in the case of a central heating system. The readings are frequent, at intervals of 15 seconds on average.

The result? Greater accuracy and better temperature control inside your home. Of course, other factors come into play, such as airtightness, insulation or the location of your house. But the thermostat’s control can be accurate to the degree. This means there could be a difference of only 0.5 °C between what you ask of your heating units and the temperature they deliver.

Connected to your heating (and cooling) system, the thermostat has a sensor that reads the ambient temperature. It then sends a signal to start the system until the desired temperature is reached, after which it stops. However, depending on the setting and the thermostat’s features – particularly in the case of a central heating system with a furnace and a heat pump – the ventilation function or humidity control may keep running.

Before going any further with your shopping, you need to know the difference between the two main systems: line voltage thermostats and low voltage thermostats.

If you have electric baseboards, convectors or heated floors, for example, you will choose line voltage thermostats, which run on 120 volts (V) and 240 V. These heating units normally have one thermostat per room.

And if your home has a central heating system, forced air or a heat pump, you will be looking for low voltage thermostats (24 V).

Pay close attention to the thermostat’s maximum power compared to that of your heating unit. You can refer to your user manual if needed or consult an electrician.

With our extensive experience at Les Entreprises MPH, we can advise you on choosing your thermostat or thermostats based on your property’s heating system. We select only reliable, high-performing and recognized models to ensure your safety and complete satisfaction.

The non-programmable thermostat is the most affordable in the range of electronic thermostats. The model shown above is compatible with voltages of 120 V, 208 V or 240 V and loads of 2,500 W, 3,000 W and 4,000 W. Its backlit screen makes it easy to use and can also serve as a night light.

Programmable models cost slightly more than basic electronic models, but the long-term energy savings more than justify this investment.

For example, the thermostat shown is simple and practical to use, with its large screen and blue backlighting, all in a slim, compact case. You can program it over 7 days. Rest assured, the thermostat keeps its programming in the event of a power outage.

The advantages of the smart thermostat are undeniable. In addition to their extreme accuracy, their connectivity through mobile apps lets you control them wherever you are. Much simpler than the first smart models of the 1990s, they no longer even need a user manual. Some, like the one shown here, let you see the outdoor and indoor temperatures, as well as the humidity level.

In fact, its features are so advanced that you can match it to the colour of your wall!

With so many choices on the market, it can be hard to find your way when choosing a thermostat for your electric furnace, your heat pump or any heating and cooling system or unit. But for that, you can count on our experts.

With more than 20 years in business and our constant focus on quality, you will enjoy complete peace of mind. In fact, it is the excellence of our customer service that earns us a 99% rating from our customers.

Whether for purchase, installation, maintenance or repair, we are your reference for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Your comfort and peace of mind matter to us: contact us!