Right Temperature

Is there a room in your house that consistently feels chilly in the winter? Or maybe it’s just too hot in the summer?

This is a prevalent issue worldwide, especially if your house has just one thermostat. Suppose your thermostat is placed in the living room, for instance. In that case, the temperature in your attic, basement, or even the second floor of your home may be a little colder or warmer because the thermostat can’t read the temperature in those areas.

Window air conditioners and heaters are other choices for adjusting the temperature. Still, today, a smart thermostat combined with remote temperature sensors or smart air vents is the best and most effective solution.

A smart thermostat will replace your conventional thermostat and work with wireless temperature sensors that should be installed in other rooms. Smart air vents, on the other hand, will replace your present vent covers and may open and close on their own to direct warm or cool air to the rooms that need it the most.

This is influenced by the temperature set in each room. Many people consider an HVAC protection plan when getting a smart thermostat. In the age of smart technology, smart gadgets can keep your home’s rooms at the ideal temperature.

Remote Sensor-Enabled Smart Thermostats

Three companies consistently top the list of the best smart thermostats: Google Nest, Ecobee, and Honeywell Home.

You should be familiar with smart thermostats by now. You can use your smartphone to control these smart devices because they may connect to the internet via your home Wi-Fi. Then, how does this function?

Smart thermostats, on the other hand, employ algorithms to learn your home’s heating and cooling patterns and then automatically alter the temperature so that you may save energy and money.

The C-wire is the most frequently used wire by smart thermostats. However, many smart thermostats now come with inbuilt batteries or unique wire adapters that charge while the HVAC system is operating.

Additionally, some versions have wireless remote sensors installed in other rooms so the thermostats can read the temperature. Some of these sensors can also recognize movement.

In other words, these sensors inform the thermostat when people are present in the space. When the sensors have been installed, the thermostat can now be programmed to address which room is too cold or hot by altering the temperature in all rooms or just a few selected rooms.

This will allow the temperature to be constant throughout the entire house. The thermostat can also be programmed to heat or cool the rooms at a specific time of day. Any HVAC system can function effectively with a smart thermostat and its sensors.

Where to Install Smart Temperature Sensors?

When choosing a location for your remote sensor, there are various things to remember. First, unless you have an exceptionally large space, like an open-concept kitchen/living room, it’s best to limit yourself to one sensor per room.

If necessary, a temperature sensor can be installed on different floors. However, if your home has multiple heating zones, you should make sure the sensor is in the designated zoned areas of the thermostat. You can also view a Nest thermostat installation video by Firstenergy Home.

If you don’t, the thermostat will keep trying to cool or heat a place it can’t control, which could result in a high electricity cost.

Choose a location for a remote sensor installation with adequate ventilation. The sensor shouldn’t be hidden behind furniture or otherwise covered up because doing so will prevent it from accurately measuring the room’s temperature. For best results, Nest advises putting sensors at chest height.

The sensor should also be kept away from heat sources that could skew its results, such as fireplaces, air vents, direct sunshine, and drafty windows and doors.

Smart Air Vents

Smart air vents direct airflow by opening and closing. Your home must have a forced-air system for the vents to function. Wi-Fi-connected smart air vents let you manage and control them from your smartphone.

Sometimes, smart air vents can even be used with smart thermostats. If you have them, these vents can use the signals from the temperature sensors in different rooms to function.

Typically, motorized vent covers must be purchased in addition to plug-in or wireless temperature sensors. One sensor can be installed, however since these vent coverings are needed, each room will determine how many vents are needed.

The vent covers maintain the temperature you select by automatically opening or closing their vents. Any extra heating or cooling is then sent to different rooms. Smart air vents, which establish separate HVAC systems in each room, provide more flexibility.

Without question, smart air vents are more expensive, but they are a wise investment to think about.

Final Word – Which is a Better Choice?

To be honest, both solutions have advantages and disadvantages. Smart thermostats with remote sensors are a more economical option than smart air vents.

They are only useful for averaging the temperature in different rooms, though. So, if your rooms don’t have a big temperature difference, you should consider buying them.

As noted, smart air vents can direct airflow and regulate the temperature in each room, but they are more expensive. We all want our homes to be at a pleasant temperature year-round, whether winter or summer. Both remote sensors and smart air vents can accomplish this. The choice ultimately comes down to your needs and the available funds.