Keeping your Huffman residence comfy can require a big chunk of change. The usual household spends about $172 on monthly utility expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 yearly. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.
The majority of houses rely on programmable thermostats, but the majority of people don’t take the trouble to program them. The process is bothersome and involved and only provides you with a few options for temperature settings. When your residence is kept at an unchanging temp throughout the day, it consumes utilities and adversely influences your monthly bill.
Smart thermostats learn from your day-to-day activities and modify the temp to match it. But can installing one conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Reduce Heating and Cooling Costs
Independent studies have found these devices can result in big savings.
These studies included home energy expenses in 41 states before and after adding a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study showed its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, producing an average savings of $131 to $145 annually.
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 because they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is ready to go, you’ll initially set it just like your old thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can figure out your preferences. Then, it will start creating a program that helps you spend less money, whether you’re at home or gone. Since 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 Having a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned prior, smart thermostats offer many advantages to your home and heating and cooling expenses, like:
- No need to set—Your smart thermostat will pick up on your routine, so you won’t be required to spend time using programs or remember to change.
- Knows when you get home and take off—Because of lots of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your home will be put into an energy-efficient setting when you take off and be cozy when you get back.
- Remote temperature management—You’ll be able to see your home’s temp from just about any location, due to an app on your phone.
- Monitor heating and cooling use—Many smart thermostats provide in-depth data through their app, like how long you used heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Certain smart thermostats will let you know about crucial maintenance tasks, such as when you’re due to put in a new air filter.
- Extra savings—Most local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats, so call yours for more information.
Cons
Having said that, there are a few areas you should take into account when considering getting a smart thermostat in your residence:
- 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 check with an HVAC professional like Air Houston Mechanical LLC. 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 causes compatibility problems with a smart thermostat. This wire energizes your thermostat, so if your house doesn’t have a C-wire, we can add one.
- Housing situation—If you own your residence and plan to be there for a long time, it’s a good investment to get a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving soon or renting, we recommend holding back unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll usually need to have your landlord’s permission first before putting in a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more 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 often at the house? If that’s the case, you might not see as large of savings, but you’ll enjoy the benefits of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.
Trust Air Houston Mechanical LLC for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Air Houston Mechanical LLC, our top purpose is to keep your residence cozy while helping you spend fewer 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 (832) 501-3419 today to learn more.
The post How a Smart Thermostat Can Help You Pay Less for Energy appeared first on Air Houston Mechanical LLC.