Are you familiar with the different thermostat modes? Thermostats are control interfaces for heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems. You can activate your air conditioning system or furnace at the thermostat to achieve a comfortable indoor temperature. Thermostats, however, have different modes. While you may already know some of these modes, you might be unfamiliar with others.
Cool and Heat
Cool and heat modes are self-explanatory. They will activate your air conditioning system or furnace, respectively. You can use the cool mode to cool your home during the summer, and you can use the heat mode to heat your home during the winter.
Home
Some thermostats feature a home mode. When selected, home mode will prompt the thermostat to follow the regular programming schedule. You can program the thermostat. You can then select home mode so that it will continue to follow this programming schedule.
Away
In addition to a home mode, some thermostats feature an away mode. It’s essentially the opposite of home mode. Also known as vacation mode, it will override the thermostat’s programming schedule. If you’re going on vacation or taking an extended business trip, you may want to select away mode to conserve energy.
On and Auto
Nearly all thermostats have an on and auto mode. These modes control the fan. Whether you’re running your air conditioning system or furnace, the blower fan will spin to blow the conditioned air into the ductwork. Selecting on mode means the fan will run continuously, regardless of whether or not your air conditioning system or furnace is running. Selecting the auto mode, conversely, means the fan will only run while your air conditioning system or furnace is running.
Emergency Heat
Emergency heat is available as an alternative heating mode on some thermostats. As the name suggests, it’s designed for emergency heating scenarios. If you have a heat pump instead of a traditional air conditioning system and furnace combo, you may be able to select emergency heat on the thermostat. Emergency heat will activate a backup heating system, such as an electric or gas furnace, to heat your home.
Eco
Some thermostats feature an eco mode. Eco mode is designed to conserve energy. It’s a common feature with smart thermostats, including the Nest. Upon sensing that your home is unoccupied, the smart thermostat may automatically switch to eco mode. It will then conserve energy until your home becomes occupied again.