Heating and cooling units use thermostats to control and regulate building temperatures. Units either have a line voltage system or low voltage system, and each operates with specific types of thermostats. The guide below explains which type of thermostat can be used with each system.
Types of Heating and Cooling Systems
Line voltage systems are used for small electric heating or cooling systems, such as baseboard wall heaters or electric wall heaters. These can also be called high voltage systems.
To see if you have a line voltage system, you'll need to look at the back of your current thermostat. It will have either a single pole connection which has two wires connecting to a main circuit, or a double pole connection which has four wires connecting to a main circuit.
Single pole connections have a low temperature setting but not an off setting. The low setting will signal a heating or cooling device to turn on if the room temperature drops or rises above a set temperature. Double pole connections have an off setting which will not signal a heater to turn on. Line voltage systems can use both manual and programmable thermostats and operate using 120 volts or 240 volts.
Low voltage systems regulate heating and cooling units such as boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners. These are common systems that regulate temperature by turning heating and cooling units on or off to run at the temperature you have set.
To see if you have a low voltage system, you'll need to look at the back of your current thermostat. There will be a wiring system that has between two and nine multicolored small gauge connection wires. Low voltage systems can use both programmable and smart thermostats and operate using 6 to 30 volts.
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Types of Thermostats
Manual thermostats have knobs or push buttons with display panels and are the most basic type of thermostat. They allow you to set a desired temperature and will activate the heater or air conditioner when the temperature dips above or below the set temperature.
Programmable thermostats have push buttons with display panels or digital touchscreens. The controlled settings can allow you to save on heating and cooling expenses. These thermostats can be programmed to run during peak times, and turned down during inactive times. Many programmable thermostats include a hold mode function, which sets a specific temperature for extended periods of time such as long weekends when your workplace is not in use.
Smart thermostats operate similarly to programmable ones. While these thermostat wall units are typically designed with digital touchscreens, you can also connect them to a smartphone or tablet. This function would be ideal for maintenance workers to control temperature settings from their phones. These thermostats could also connect to conference room tablets so temperatures could be adjusted without having to go to a wall thermostat unit. Your business could save on energy costs due to the quick and easy thermostat accessibility.
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In addition to various thermostats, we have many thermostat guards to keep your thermostat protected. Our selection includes steel wire guards, covers that lift up, and solid plastic guards that can lock. These are great devices to cover wall units, especially ones that are placed in high-traffic areas.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.