Take control of your comfort and energy use with the right thermostat choice
In the world of residential and commercial heating in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore and North Shore, choosing a thermostat may seem like a minor detail. Yet it directly impacts your energy bills, your comfort level, and the overall performance of your HVAC system. At AirGreen, we regularly meet clients who hesitate between a programmable thermostat and a smart thermostat, without fully understanding the real differences between the two.
In this article, we’re sharing our hands-on expertise from numerous installations throughout Greater Montréal to help you understand both thermostat types, their respective benefits, common mistakes to avoid, and how each can truly impact your energy savings.
Understanding the Basics: Programmable vs Smart Thermostat
Programmable thermostat: Simple, scheduled control
A programmable thermostat allows you to create a fixed schedule, where your HVAC system automatically adjusts the temperature based on set times. For example:
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Lowering the temperature at night to help you sleep better.
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Reducing heating during the day when no one’s home.
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Automatically raising the temperature just before you return from work.
It’s a cost-effective, reliable, and relatively simple option to use. However, it is limited in flexibility. If your routine often changes (remote work, irregular shifts, kids at home), the preset schedule quickly becomes outdated and requires frequent adjustments.
Smart thermostat: Real-time adaptability
In contrast, a smart thermostat connects to your Wi-Fi and lets you control your heating remotely via a mobile app. Even better, some models learn your habits and automatically adjust the temperature based on:
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Outdoor weather conditions.
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Your geographic location (geofencing).
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Whether people are home (motion sensors).
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Your past usage patterns.
These thermostats, like Google Nest, ecobee, or Honeywell Lyric, offer dynamic, real-time control that can result in significant energy savings, often exceeding 20% based on our post-installation analyses.
Real-world Advantages Seen Across Montréal and Its Surroundings
In Laval: Optimizing a central system with a Nest smart thermostat
During the installation of a Bosch BOVA 5-Ton central heat pump in a Laval home, we integrated a 3rd generation Nest Learning thermostat. The homeowner had an irregular work schedule and two children in school. Within just two weeks, the thermostat learned their routine, automatically lowering the heat from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and raising it again on Saturday mornings.
Result: a 26% reduction in energy consumption on their first bill, without any manual adjustments.
In Longueuil: A programmable thermostat that missed the mark
In a Longueuil home, we were called in to optimize a newly installed central system (Goodman GMVM97 + cased coil + outdoor AC condenser). The homeowner was using a standard programmable thermostat, but with their irregular lifestyle (night shifts), it wasn’t effective. We recommended and installed an ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, which quickly adapted to their routine. The customer finally experienced stable comfort and better energy management.
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | Programmable Thermostat | Smart Thermostat |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled control | Fixed (manual programming) | Dynamic and self-adjusting |
| Remote access | No | Yes, via Wi-Fi |
| Learning capability | No | Yes |
| Automatic weather-based adjustment | No | Yes |
| Occupancy detection | No | Yes |
| Potential energy savings | 5–10% | 15–25% |
| Initial cost | Low (~$50–100) | Higher (~$150–350) |
| Subsidy eligibility | Sometimes | Often eligible |
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Thermostat
At AirGreen, we’ve seen a number of common mistakes made by homeowners in Montréal and surrounding areas:
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Installing a programmable thermostat on a variable-speed or zoned HVAC system: this hurts the system’s overall performance.
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Overlooking compatibility with your existing HVAC setup (24V, multistage, heat pump, etc.).
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Ignoring the user interface: some smart thermostats are too complex for seniors or people who aren't tech-savvy.
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Choosing a thermostat based solely on price, without assessing the potential return on energy savings.
AirGreen’s Recommendation
We recommend a smart thermostat for any household or building that:
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Has a fluctuating schedule or frequent absences.
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Wants to optimize a newer HVAC system (central heat pump, modulating furnace, etc.).
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Aims to monitor energy usage in real time and adjust habits accordingly.
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Intends to take advantage of government rebates, which are sometimes available for integrating smart thermostats as part of a larger energy-efficiency project.
For simple systems, in homes with a very stable routine, a programmable thermostat may be enough—provided it’s configured properly.
Rebates and Return on Investment
Programs like Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert or certain local incentives may subsidize the installation of smart thermostats, especially when they are part of a broader energy-efficiency upgrade.
At AirGreen, we guide each client through the process of researching and submitting rebate applications, ensuring they maximize the eligible amounts.
Conclusion: The Right Choice Depends on Your Lifestyle
At AirGreen, we believe the right thermostat isn’t about the technology—it’s about how well it matches your lifestyle, your comfort needs, and your HVAC system. Whether you’re in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, or the South Shore, our team is here to help you select, install, and optimize your HVAC thermostat.
Our expertise allows us to integrate the most effective thermostats with your heating and cooling systems to deliver real results: energy savings, enhanced comfort, and user-friendly operation.
Contact us today for a free evaluation of your HVAC system, and see how a simple thermostat can transform your home.