Johnny On the Spot Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Home Improvement’

Avoid the Worst Spots to Install a Smart Thermostat in Your Home

Friday, April 14th, 2023

A thermostat is an essential component of any HVAC system. It controls your home’s temperature by communicating with your air conditioner or heat pump. However, not all locations in your home are ideal for installing a smart thermostat. Here are the five worst places to install a thermostat in Blue Diamond, NV:

In Direct Sunlight

The heat from the sun can make the smart thermostat think that your home is warmer than it is, causing your HVAC system to work harder than needed. This can lead to higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan for your HVAC system.

Near Doors and Windows

These areas experience more drafts and temperature fluctuations than the rest of the room, which leads to inaccurate temperature readings. Depending on that reading, the thermostat will read the temperature near the door or window and turn the heating or cooling system on or off. This can result in higher energy costs and less comfortable temperatures in the room.

Near a Heat Source

Installing a thermostat near a heat source, such as a lamp or appliance, isn’t recommended. This is because the thermostat will sense the heat from the source rather than the room’s temperature. This can lead to incorrect temperature readings and inefficient heating or cooling.

Near a Vent

The thermostat will detect the temperature of the air that comes out of the vent rather than the home’s temperature. This can result in your HVAC system turning on and off frequently, causing unnecessary wear and tear.

Behind Furniture

Furniture can block airflow, preventing the smart thermostat from accurately reading the home’s temperature. As a result, the HVAC system may cycle on and off needlessly. This leads to higher energy consumption and perhaps uncomfortable indoor conditions.

Contact us at Johnny On The Spot to consult with our service specialists. They will help you ensure that your smart thermostat installation is in the most optimal location for your home. Also, this will help you ensure that your HVAC system is working efficiently and you’re saving money on your energy.

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4 Reasons to Install a New Smart Thermostat in Las Vegas, NV

Thursday, August 19th, 2021

Your air conditioner plays an integral role in regulating indoor temperatures, especially during summertime in Las Vegas, NV, when temperatures can reach a sweltering 100 degrees. But for your AC system to function properly, it must receive the correct temperature readings from the thermostat controlling it. If your air conditioner has been acting suspiciously as of late, you may need a new smart thermostat.

Inaccurate Thermostat Reading

Your air conditioner cools your home based on the temperature reading the thermostat provides. If the reading is incorrect, your AC system ends up working too much or too little. Use a portable indoor thermometer to get the correct temperature and compare it with the reading that your thermostat sends back.

Higher Utility Costs

If your recent monthly utility bills are spiking, it could be due to your old thermostat. A faulty thermostat will result in longer running cycles for your air conditioner, which means more energy used over time. It may even cause your AC system to switch on randomly while you’re away.

Inconsistent Temperatures

A faulty thermostat will have difficulty maintaining your preset range and may unexpectedly change temperatures on its own. Test this out by lowering your settings and seeing if your AC system adjusts to meet that new temperature range.

AC System Not Shutting Off

In some cases, a faulty thermostat prevents your AC system from shutting off, and it runs for a longer cycle than needed. That said, you might also want to check other parts of the system before pinning the problem on the thermostat. Have a certified service specialist perform a maintenance check to assess your air filters, vents and condensate lines.

If you notice any of these signs but aren’t sure about the need to replace your thermostat, we’re here to help. Contact Johnny On The Spot to have us install your new smart thermostat. We also provide a full lineup of HVAC products and services.

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What’s a Smart Thermostat, and How Does it Work?

Monday, August 10th, 2020

A smart thermostat is a device that you can control remotely with your smartphone, tablet or computer. This and other features enable you to streamline the use of your cooling system. We’ll take you through why a smart thermostat is beneficial and what it does for your Las Vegas, NV, home.

You Can Regulate Temperatures Remotely

Most smart thermostats are compatible with voice assistants in your smart speakers and smartphone. This means you can give a command to your smart thermostat without moving an arm. But the best way to control your smart thermostat remotely is via an app on your smartphone. You can do this whether you’re on the couch or on a beach thousands of miles away.

A Smart Thermostat Saves on Energy Costs

Smart thermostats help you precisely regulate your home’s temperature and have a low-power standby feature, unlike most conventional thermostats. You can create an automatic cooling schedule so that when you leave the house or you’re asleep, it adjusts on its own and reduces energy use.

Some models are capable of learning your schedule and turning the system on and off automatically without per-programmed settings. It’ll also know the season and adjust temperatures accordingly.

Smart Thermostats Are Aesthetically Appealing

Smart thermostats have come a long way in terms of their appearance. They now feature color touch screens, are more visually appealing and don’t detract from the decoration of your living space.

Most smart thermostats are relatively small compared to their conventional counterparts. This enables you to easily hide them from everybody’s eyes and still efficiently regulate temperature.

Automatic Temperature Regulation Schedules

Some smart thermostats record your temperature regulation data. Subsequently, they regulate temperature based on your historical data and room temperature preferences. What’s more exciting is that some smart thermostats can learn your commuting patterns, which means they set your home’s temperature at your preferred level just before you arrive.

Call Johnny On The Spot for all your heating, cooling, and ventilation needs. We specialize in keeping your indoor air comfortable and will be happy to answer your questions and let you know options for smart thermostats.

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Why Should I Upgrade My Thermostat?

Friday, June 30th, 2017

A programmable thermostat is a valuable investment although you may not realize it. With a programmable thermostat, you’ll be able to control your home’s temperature at any hour on a certain day of your choice. Apart from that, it also has a great impact on your home energy efficiency. In order for you attain energy efficiency, you should update or upgrade to a programmable thermostat. Here are some reasons why:

How Programmable Thermostats Work

A programmable thermostat will obviously allow you to program a more definite heating and cooling schedule. Once you set the program, the programmable thermostat will do the rest of the operation that it is programmed to do. It will eventually turn your system on or off at the time it is scheduled to do so. Some of them even come with remote settings where you are able to access the unit’s settings using your mobile device or desktop.

How Do These Thermostats Help Save Money?

The amount you save on your energy bill each month will depend on what thermostat model you are using. The basic models can help you save about 15 percent of your energy bill while the most advanced ones can help save you up to 20 percent or more. This, of course, is true if your HVAC system is also under in a good condition.

Features Made for Your Convenience

The different designs of modern thermostats come in plenty of excellent features. There are models with filter replacement reminders, intelligent system management, and energy-use tracking capabilities. They also manage your system’s airflow, ventilation, and indoor air quality and so much more. Many models are Wi-Fi capable so you can access your thermostat’s setting on the go. Now that’s awesome, right?

Improve Your Home’s Comfort

Helping you save money is not the only thing that your new thermostat can do. Modern thermostats have the ability optimize your home comfort as well. If you program your thermostat to a certain temperature prior to your family’s arrival, the temperature you desire will already be circulating your home. You will always return to a comfortable atmosphere in your home.

True enough, modern thermostats, specifically the programmable thermostats, may be expensive. However, your benefits from it far outweigh the cost. Investing in it won’t cause you any regrets because the return on your savings is long term and bigger than how much you spent for it.

Do you have questions regarding programmable thermostats? Would you like to know more about their function and efficiency? Or perhaps you need more advice on how to use your thermostats to their full potential? Don’t hesitate to talk to one of our professional technicians. Call Johnny On The Spot now at (725) 977-9461 or visit our website for more useful information.

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