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digital and electro-mechanical Thermostats
The Control Center of Your HVAC System.
 The thermostat is really a remarkable device—it's truly the remote control for your home's heating and cooling systems. From the ease and comfort of your hallway, bedroom or den, you can stoke the fires of your furnace, or crank up your A/C, with the turn of a dial or push of a button. Then it keeps working to control your system and deliver the exact room temperature you desire.
There are two basic types: electro-mechanical thermostats and digital thermostats. Each has its own unique advantages.
Electro-mechanical thermostats. Electro-mechanical thermostats are the older types with little metal coils and a mercury tube inside. As the temperature in a room shifts, the coils either contract or expand, pushing the mercury to one end of its tube or the other which signals the HVAC system to either turn on or off. While they aren't as accurate as digital thermostats, they are quite economical and simple to use. Electro-mechanical thermostats are being phased out because of its use of mercury and the effects it has on the environment.
Digital Thermostats. Digital thermostats are the new rage, and with good reason. Most models today are programmable thermostats, which means you can set times for your system to run or shut down based on when you need it. It's kind of like TiVo for temperature. Just set it and forget it! Programmable digital thermostats are much more accurate at keeping your home comfortable. And because you have much more control, you can significantly save on your energy costs by reducing your heat and cooling when you don't need as much.
Contact your local ARS®/Rescue Rooter® heating and air conditioning specialist to learn more about electro-mechanical and digital thermostats, or to replace or repair the one in your home.
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