Keeping your Cambridge home comfy can consume a lot of money. The usual household spends about $172 on monthly heating and cooling expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or approximately $2,060 each year. At least half of that goes to heating and cooling.
Many residences use programmable thermostats, but many people don’t take the time to program them. The process is bothersome, involved and only provides you a couple of options for temperature changes. When your residence stays at an unchanging setting throughout the day, it consumes gas and electricity and adversely affects your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats learn from your schedule and modify the temperatures to accompany it. But can having one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Heating and Cooling Costs
Independent studies have found these devices can result in big savings.
These studies included home heating and cooling expenses in 41 states before and after installing a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study found its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, resulting in an average savings of $131 to $145 yearly.
With the average smart thermostat priced between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And many 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 put in, you’ll initially use it just like any other thermostat. You’ll switch it up and down, so the thermostat can determine your desired settings. Then, it will start making a program that helps you conserve more 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 leave or get back.
Pros and Cons of Installing a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we covered prior, smart thermostats offer lots of pluses to your home and utility expenses, including:
- No need to adjust—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your routine, so you don’t have to spend time setting programs or remember to turn it up or down.
- Knows when you get home and take off—As many smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will be put into an energy-efficient setting when you take off and be cozy when you arrive.
- Remote temperature supervision—You’ll be able to watch your home’s temp from virtually anyplace, thanks to an app on your phone.
- Monitor heating and cooling use—The majority of smart thermostats provide in-depth data through their app, like how long you required heating and cooling on a particular day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will remind you of crucial maintenance tasks, including when it’s time to get a new air filter.
- Extra savings—Many local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats, so check with yours for details.
Cons
In spite of that, there’s a couple of points you should take into account when considering getting a smart thermostat in your residence:
- 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 recommended to check with an HVAC specialist like Pliescott HVAC Services LLC . We also suggest 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 results in compatibility troubles with a smart thermostat. This wire powers your thermostat, so if your home doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your residence and plan to be there for a long time, it’s a good investment to have a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving in the next year or rent, we advise holding back unless you plan to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to have your landlord’s permission first ahead of putting in a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are pricier 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 regularly at the house? If that’s your situation, you might not see as big of savings, but you’ll have the convenience of not having to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Pliescott HVAC Services LLC for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Pliescott HVAC Services LLC , our number one purpose is to keep your home cozy while helping you save on energy costs. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from picking the right model to expert installation. Contact us at 410-228-4822 today to learn more.