Keeping your Pacheco house cozy can require a good amount of money. A typical family spends about $172 on monthly utility expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 yearly. At least half of that is consumed by heating and cooling.
Most homes use programmable thermostats, but many people don’t take the trouble to use them properly. The process is time-consuming, detailed and only provides you limited options for temperature settings. When your residence stays at the same temperature throughout the day, it requires gas and electricity and adversely affects your monthly bill.
Smart thermostats learn from your schedule and regulate the temperatures to accompany it. But can having one really conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Reduce on Utility Expenses
Independent studies have determined these devices can lead to major savings.
These studies included 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, producing an approximated savings of $131 to $145 each year.
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 since they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is ready to go, you’ll initially use it just like your old thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your preferences. Then, it will begin developing a program that helps you spend less money, whether you’re at your residence 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 go or come home.
Pros and Cons of Using a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we covered before, smart thermostats provide many pluses to your house and heating and cooling bill, like:
- No need to set—Your smart thermostat will pick up on your schedule, so you won’t need to waste time setting programs or remember to adjust it.
- Knows when you come and take off—As a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will move into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be comfortable when you get back.
- Remote temperature supervision—You’ll be able to watch your residence’s settings from just about any location, due to an app on your phone.
- Monitor heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats give valuable data through their app, including how long you used heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Certain smart thermostats will remind you of critical maintenance tasks, like when it’s time to replace your air filter.
- Extra savings—The majority of local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats, so check with yours for more information.
Cons
However, there’s several points 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 work. If you’re not sure, it’s advisable to contact an HVAC professional like Clean Air HVAC. We also recommend 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 include a common wire, which causes compatibility issues with a smart thermostat. This wire energizes your thermostat, so if your house doesn’t have a C-wire, we can put one in.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and want to reside there for a long time, it’s a smart investment to have a smart thermostat. If you plan to move shortly or rent, we suggest waiting unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to get your landlord’s permission first prior to putting in a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are more expensive than programmable thermostats, and we recommend 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 often at the house? If so, you might not see as big of savings, but you’ll have the benefits of not having to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Clean Air HVAC for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Clean Air HVAC, our top priority is to keep your home pleasant while helping you save on heating and cooling costs. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our pros can help, from picking the ideal model to expert installation. Call us at 925-233-6238 today to learn more.