Thermostat Types

Different types of thermostats are available on the market to control heat pumps. A brief description of the different types is presented below:

Thermostats with basic functionality
Turn heat pumps on or off to meet desired heating or cooling setpoints
Where applicable, can also control supplementary heating
May also communicate with one of two types of outdoor thermostats: 1) First type selects the appropriate heating based on outdoor temperature; 2) Second type shuts off the heat pump when the outdoor temperature falls below a specified level

Proprietary thermostats that offer improved temperature control
Set temperature schedules
Eliminate the need for outdoor thermostats for heat pump systems
Can lead to energy savings when used properly
Many are difficult to program, so they're often used in manual mode, negating any potential energy savings
Newer models include some of the features of smart thermostats (e.g. control via smartphones)

Advanced form of programmable thermostat
Algorithm-based software establishes heating and cooling schedules, which are easy to temporarily override if desired but challenging to override permanently
Occupancy sensors and/or geofencing capabilities detect when occupants are away from home and set-back temperatures accordingly
Homeowners can interact with them remotely via their smartphones, laptops, etc.
The majority of models are designed to be used with central forced air systems but they may not be compatible with variable speed systems
Many smart thermostats rely on weather stations for outdoor weather conditions. This may be different from the weather the outdoor unit is experiencing

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