Keeping your Macon house comfy can eat up a good amount of money. The average family spends about $172 on monthly energy bills, according to ENERGY STAR®, or approximately $2,060 yearly. At least half of that is consumed by heating and cooling.
The majority of houses rely on programmable thermostats, but many people don’t take the trouble to use them properly. The process is annoying, complicated and only offers you a few options for temperature settings. When your residence remains at the same setting throughout the day, it requires gas and electricity and badly impacts your monthly bill.
Smart thermostats learn from your schedule and adapt the settings to accompany it. But can using one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Save on Utility Bills
Independent studies have found these devices can produce large savings.
These studies used home utility costs 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, generating an average savings of $131 to $145 each year.
With the common smart thermostat costing between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And many local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats because 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 turn it up and down, so the thermostat can determine your desired settings. Then, it will start developing a program that helps you conserve more money, whether you’re at home or away. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to put it on your list to adjust it when you exit or return.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned before, smart thermostats give a lot of perks to your home and utility costs, like:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will learn your activities, so you won’t need to spend time using programs or remember to change.
- Knows when you arrive and leave—As many smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your home will move into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be comfy when you get back.
- Remote temperature management—You’ll be able to see your home’s temp from just about any location, thanks to an app on your phone.
- Monitor heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats provide great data through their app, including how long you required heating and cooling on a particular day.
- Reminders—Some smart thermostats will remind you of important maintenance tasks, like when you’re due to put in a new air filter.
- Added savings—Most local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats, so contact with yours for details.
Cons
However, there’s several areas you should contemplate when considering adding a smart thermostat in your house:
- 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 recommended to check with an HVAC professional like Air Temperature Control. We also suggest having it professionally installed. This ensures that you have the correct number of wires and that it’s connected accurately. Some systems don’t include 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 residence and plan to live there for years, it’s a smart investment to install a smart thermostat. If you plan to move soon or rent, we recommend waiting unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to secure your landlord’s permission first in advance of getting a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more than programmable thermostats, and we advise having yours professionally installed. However, the energy savings over the years can help pay for itself.
- Lifestyle—Does a family member work from home, or is someone regularly at the house? If so, you might not see as big of savings, but you’ll enjoy the benefits of not having to program or adjust a thermostat.
Rely on Air Temperature Control for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Air Temperature Control, our top purpose is to keep your residence cozy while helping you save on utility bills. If you’re thinking about installing a smart thermostat, our professionals can help, from choosing the right model to expert installation. Give us a call at 478-202-3170 today to learn more.