How do Thermostats differ?

At South Nashville Heating and Cooling, we want you to make the best decision on what thermostat is right for you! We are Middle Tennessee's premiere HVAC company and we're here to help! 

So. How do electromechanical, manual, and programmable thermostats differ?

Electromechanical - or manual - thermostats are the old-fashioned mercury units that have internal coils to expand or contract in response to temperature change. This type of thermostat is steadily becoming obsolete for two reasons: digital thermostats are able to more accurately register and respond to temperature changes plus the purchase of products containing mercury has been restricted or banned in many states. Disregarding those 2 "minor" details, manual thermostats remain popular due to their low cost, the familiarity of their controls' design, and the ease of their use.

Manual digital thermostats use an electronic temperature sensor to register changes in the room temperature that then compare these changes with the settings selected by the user. If there is a difference between the room temperature and the set temperature, a command is sent to the heating or cooling system that action is needed. For this type of unit, you will still have to physically adjust the setting of your preferences whenever you would like to adjust the room temperature.

Programmable digital thermostats are an upgrade from the digital manual thermostats (that I wish I had) as they are far more convenient and can help save energy costs. Once you program the thermostat to fit your lifestyle and schedule, all you have to do is relax and let it do all the work. To stay comfortable and save energy year-round, you simply must program the temperatures into the memory of the unit, along with the times of day that you would like the changes to occur. For example, you can set a thermostat to a comfortable temperature for when you wake up in the morning, have it go into energy-conservation mode while you are away at work, and then have a temperature set to go before you return home! You only need to program your thermostat once until you decide to change it up!

For the obvious reasons, Programmable digital thermostats are most desirable. Depending on the model, a thermostat can be programmed in one of three ways:

5 - 2 programming: Maintains a set schedule for five days (weekdays), then switches to an alternate schedule for the other two days (weekends).

5 - 1 - 1 programming: Maintains a five day schedule (weekdays), then switches to first individual day (Saturday), then second individual day (Sunday).

7 day programming: Allows the maximum flexibility for those with frequently-changing schedules by allowing you to program each day individually.

Special features to look for:

Automatic switchover - This allows the thermostat to control both heating and cooling without requiring that you manually switch between the heat and cool settings. Most digital programmable thermostats have this feature.

Manual override - Lets you manually modify your settings on a programmable thermostat. Your changes will remain in effect until the next programmed setting begins.

Vacation override - This function temporarily overrides any preprogrammed settings while you are away, saving money on unnecessary temperature maintenance. When you return, you can go back to your original settings without reprogramming from scratch!

Keypad lock - This prevents any changes to your system once you have programmed the settings. Unfortunately, I learned my parents had this feature when I went home for the holidays. Who keeps their house at 65 in Nebraska?!

There are many other unique features to keep you comfortable! Call South Nashville Heating and Cooling today to learn more about how you can upgrade your thermostat! 615-834-1636. Be sure to visit us HERE for our special offers and discounts! We service all of Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Murfreesboro and Brentwood. 

Heating Systems

For nearly 30 years, South Nashville Heating and Cooling has been providing service, sales, and installation for all residential and Light Commercial HVAC applications in the greater Middle Tennessee area. Our company is proudly family oriented and we employ NATE certified service technicians and installers who are focused on bringing quality and craftsmanship to every job.

Did you know  that there are different systems that can be regulated by a thermostat? Here, we'll discuss those different systems.

Single-stage heating indicates one gas or electric heating device for the system. It can consist of just a heater, or include an air conditioning device as well. Almost all systems that use natural gas are single-stage. Generally, a single-stage thermostat will need to accommodate five wires or less if the system handles heat and air conditioning. If the system is only for heat, only three or fewer are needed.

A multi-stage system will have both a standard gas or an electric heating device as well as an auxiliary and/or emergency heating device. The auxiliary or emergency heating will engage when the temperature drops faster than the main heater can maintain, or, if there is a problem with the main heater. The wiring of a multi-stage thermostat is connected to a W2 terminal.

Heating systems are either conventional (gas or electric) or use a heat pump. Heat pumps are unique in that they consist of a single unit that provides both heating and cooling. In the Midwest, where it is miserably cold right now, heat pumps are a popular choice for most households. If you know that your system runs both heating and cooling entirely out of one unit and features an auxiliary setting, it is likely that you have a heat pump.

Line voltage systems use direct current, and either use 120 or 240 volts for a household system. One telltale sign that your home can accommodate a line voltage thermostat is that wires are much thicker to handle additional conducted power. Line voltage, electric heat thermostats are common with older construction, especially where electric or baseboard heaters are present. Line voltage systems are not compatible with gas heating. The adjustment controls are usually mechanical, rather than digital programmable, and almost always have either two or four wires (single pole versus double pole).

If you're looking at replacing your thermostat, but aren't sure about your heating system, call the experts at South Nashville Heating and Cooling, first. Our friendly staff is here to assist you in the best option for your home! You can reach us at 615-834-1636 and by visiting our website HERE. Be sure to "Like" us on Facebook so you can stay up-to-date with all of our special offers and discounts!

Is a Geothermal Heat Pump Right For You?

A geothermal heat pump installed from South Nashville Heating and Cooling can save you an enormous amount of money in energy costs while helping the environment.

How does geothermal heat pump work? A geothermal heat pump transfers heat from the ground to your house (or vice versa). It does this through long loops of underground pipes filled with either water or an antifreeze solution. The loops are hooked up to a geothermal heat pump in your home, which acts as both a furnace and an air conditioner.

During the heating season, the liquid pulls heat from the ground and delivers it to the geothermal unit and then to refrigerant coils, where the heat is distributed through a forced-air or hydronic system. During the cooling season, the pump removes heat from your house and transfers it to the earth.

Geothermal heat pumps use the constant temperature of the earth as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature.

South Nashville Heating and Cooling can install a geothermal heat pump that is much more efficient than conventional heating systems.

How, you ask? Basically, it doesn’t burn fuel to create warmth; instead it moves existing heat from one place to another. Since temperatures underground remain relatively constant year round, the geothermal system requires quite a bit less energy to cool your home than your conventional systems.

If you think a Geothermal Heat Pump is right for you and your home, call South Nashville Heating and Cooling today at 615-834-1636! We have been servicing all of Nashville and Middle Tennessee for over 30 years!

Be sure to "Like" us on Facebook and click HERE for amazing special offers!