Keeping your Lake Worth house comfortable can eat up a big chunk of change. A typical homeowner spends about $172 on monthly heating and cooling expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or around $2,060 each year. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.
Most residences have programmable thermostats, but the majority of people don’t take the trouble to use them properly. The process is annoying, detailed and only gives you a few options for temperature settings. When your residence is kept at an unchanging temperature throughout the day, it consumes energy and badly impacts your monthly expenses.
Smart thermostats pick up on your schedule and adapt the temp to match it. But can installing one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Reduce on Energy Costs
Independent studies have found these devices can result in large savings.
These studies involved home heating and cooling expenses in 41 states before and after installing a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study showed its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, generating an estimated savings of $131 to $145 each year.
With the average smart thermostat priced between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And most local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats since they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is installed, you’ll first set it just like your previous thermostat. You’ll turn it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your wants. Then, it will get to work creating a program that helps you conserve more money, whether you’re at your house or away. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to remember to adjust it when you exit or get back.
Pros and Cons of Using a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned previously, smart thermostats provide many advantages to your house and heating and cooling costs, like:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your activities, so you don’t have to waste time adjusting programs or remember to change.
- Knows when you come and leave—Since a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will go into an energy-efficient setting when you leave and be cozy when you get back.
- Remote temperature supervision—You’ll be able to watch your house’s temperature from virtually anywhere, on account of an app on your phone.
- Supervise heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats provide detailed data through their app, including how long you required heating and cooling on a certain day.
- Reminders—Certain smart thermostats will remind you of crucial maintenance tasks, like when you’re due to replace your air filter.
- Extra savings—Most local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats, so check with yours for more info.
Cons
In spite of that, there’s a couple of points you should consider when thinking about adding a smart thermostat in your home:
- Compatibility—Based on the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not work. If you’re unsure, it’s best to contact an HVAC professional like Smyth Air Conditioning Inc. We also advise having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the proper number of wires and that it’s hooked up correctly. Some systems don’t have a common wire, which creates compatibility issues with a smart thermostat. This wire energizes your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can put one in.
- Housing situation—If you own your house and plan to be there for many years, it’s a wise investment to have a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving shortly or rent, we recommend delaying unless you will take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll typically need to get your landlord’s permission first in advance of adding a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are pricier than programmable thermostats, and we advise 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 frequently at the house? If so, you might not see as big of savings, but you’ll get the perks of not being required to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Smyth Air Conditioning Inc for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Smyth Air Conditioning Inc, our number one purpose is to keep your residence comfy while helping you save on heating and cooling costs. If you’re thinking about installing a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from choosing the ideal model to expert installation. Call us at 561-533-6066 today to learn more.