When I decided to replace my very old, manual thermostat, I didn’t realize how many brands, models and features were available for purchase. I wasn’t aware of the significant improvements in technology. I knew that there are now smart thermostats that allow remote adjustment through an app on the phone. My goal was to be able to raise or lower temperature whether I’m at home, at work or anywhere. I always forgot to make adjustments before leaving in the morning. The furnace or air conditioner would then run all day long, heating or cooling an empty house and driving up my utility bills. On the rare occasion that I remembered to adjust the thermostat, my family would arrive home at the end of the day to either a very chilly or overheated living space. I hoped to lessen the workload of the heating and cooling system, reduce my expenses and enjoy superior comfort. However, once I started researching the latest generation in thermostats, I got excited about options such as voice commands, occupancy sensors, geofencing and learning capacity. There are thermostats that keep track of every adjustment for the first week after installation. The device then creates a customized schedule. There are models that light up as someone approaches and provide information about energy usage, humidity levels and weather forecast. Some will send out reminders to replace air filters and schedule maintenance and alerts for temperature fluctuations and power outages. The thermostat can even notify the HVAC contractor and allow a diagnostic check of the system. It took me several months to finally decide which thermostat I wanted.