Residential thermostats operate with which of the following?

Residential thermostats commonly operate using control voltage. This is because most modern thermostats interface with HVAC systems through a low-voltage signal, typically 24 volts. This control voltage allows the thermostat to communicate with heating and cooling equipment effectively.

The control voltage system is beneficial because it minimizes the risk of shock and enables easier installation and maintenance. In addition, the low voltage allows for various features, such as programmable settings and remote control options, enhancing user convenience.

While resistance, current, and potential are all fundamental electrical concepts, they do not specifically pertain to the primary operation mechanism of residential thermostats in the context of how they control HVAC systems. Resistance relates to how electrical components oppose the flow of current, current is the flow of electric charge, and potential refers to voltage - none of these directly describe the active operation of a thermostat in managing temperature control in a residential setting.