What to Know Before Buying a Wireless Thermostat

A wireless thermostat has some limitations that could affect the way it works, or whether it will work at all. Before you invest in a wireless thermostat, make sure that it will work for you. Here are some quick pointers on what to look for before buying.

Can You Transmit Signals?

Depending on how the walls of your house are built, some wireless electronic signals may have a difficult time getting through them. Block walls create some limited interference, and metal walls can range from minor reception problems to no reception at all. Also, avoid mounting the thermostat near a microwave oven, as the operating frequencies are often very similar.

Wireless Thermostats Have Wires

The term "wireless thermostat" refers to the method of controlling the temperature settings, and not to the thermostat itself. A wireless receiver will mount exactly the way a wired thermostat connects, using the same color-coded wires. For controlling the unit, a remote control or portable thermostat sensor is used, both of which interact with the receiver wirelessly, earning the name.

Wireless Limitations

Wireless units will require batteries, and low or dead batteries will have unpredictable effects. The heater may run continuously, or it may turn on and off intermittently. The AC may even run when the heater should be going. A wireless thermostat can be a wonderful luxury around the house, but it does come with its own set of possible problems.