Keeping your Troy residence comfortable can require a big chunk of change. The usual family spends about $172 on monthly energy costs, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 each year. At least half of that is consumed by heating and cooling.
Many residences rely on programmable thermostats, but most people don’t bother to use them properly. The process is annoying, detailed and only gives you a couple of options for temperature settings. When your home remains at an identical temp throughout the day, it consumes gas and electricity and adversely impacts your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats pick up on your day-to-day activities and change the temp to accompany it. But can getting one really conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Heating and Cooling Costs
Independent studies show these devices can result in big savings.
These studies used home energy expenses in 41 states before and after putting in a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study showed its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, resulting in an average savings of $131 to $145 annually.
With the average smart thermostat running between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And the majority of local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats as they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is ready to go, you’ll at first use it just like any other thermostat. You’ll turn it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your preferences. Then, it will get to work developing a program that helps you conserve more money, whether you’re at your house or out and about. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to put it on your list to adjust it when you leave or get back.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned previously, smart thermostats give many advantages to your home and heating and cooling costs, such as:
- No need to set—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your schedule, so you won’t need to use up time setting programs or remember to adjust it.
- Knows when you come and leave—Since lots of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will move into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be comfy when you arrive.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to watch your home’s temperature from nearly anywhere, thanks to an app on your phone.
- Monitor heating and cooling use—Many smart thermostats give valuable data through their app, including how long you needed heating and cooling on a certain day.
- Reminders—Certain smart thermostats will remind you of critical maintenance tasks, including when it’s time to change your air filter.
- Additional savings—The majority of local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for details.
Cons
Having said that, there’s several things you should contemplate regarding adding a smart thermostat in your home:
- Compatibility—Depending on the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not function with it. If you’re not sure, it’s best to ask an HVAC pro like Edington Heating & Cooling Inc. We also advise having it professionally installed. This guarantees that you have the right number of wires and that it’s hooked up properly. Some systems don’t have a common wire, which results in compatibility issues with a smart thermostat. This wire runs your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and are planning to be there for years, it’s a smart investment to have a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving shortly or rent, we suggest holding back unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll usually need to secure your landlord’s permission first in advance of adding a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more than programmable thermostats, and we suggest having yours professionally installed. However, the energy savings over its lifetime can help pay for itself.
- Lifestyle—Does a family member work from home, or is someone regularly at the house? If that’s the case, you might not see as large of savings, but you’ll enjoy the convenience of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.
Rely on Edington Heating & Cooling Inc for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Edington Heating & Cooling Inc, our top priority is to keep your residence pleasant while helping you save on heating and cooling costs. If you’re thinking about installing a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from selecting the best model to expert installation. Call us at 937-558-9478 today to learn more.