Keeping your East Bernard house cozy can eat up a lot of money. The average household spends about $172 on monthly energy bills, according to ENERGY STAR®, or approximately $2,060 yearly. At least half of that goes to heating and cooling.
The majority of houses have programmable thermostats, but most people don’t bother to use them properly. The process is annoying, detailed and only gives you limited options for desired temperatures. When your home remains at an unchanging setting throughout the day, it requires utilities and badly affects your monthly bill.
Smart thermostats learn from your routine and adapt the temp to accompany it. But can having one really help you spend less money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Heating and Cooling Costs
Independent studies show these devices can lead to large savings.
These studies included home heating and cooling bills 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, resulting in an approximated savings of $131 to $145 each year.
With the average smart thermostat costing between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And the majority of local energy companies offer 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 at first use it just like your previous thermostat. You’ll switch it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your preferences. Then, it will get to work creating a program that helps you spend less money, whether you’re at your house or away. Since it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to remember to adjust it when you go or return.
Pros and Cons of Installing a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we covered before, smart thermostats give lots of benefits to your residence and utility bill, including:
- No need to adjust—Your smart thermostat will learn your activities, so you won’t need to spend time using programs or remember to turn it up or down.
- Knows when you arrive and take off—Since a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will move into an energy-efficient setting when you leave and be comfortable when you get back.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to see your home’s temperature from just about any location, thanks to an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats give valuable data through their app, such as how long you used heating and cooling on a particular day.
- Reminders—Certain smart thermostats will alert you to critical maintenance tasks, including when you’re due to replace your air filter.
- Added savings—Many local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats, so contact with yours for details.
Cons
However, there’s a couple of areas you should take into account regarding installing a smart thermostat in your home:
- Compatibility—Based on the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not function with it. If you don’t know, it’s recommended to contact an HVAC pro like E.B. Air, LLC. We also suggest having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the right number of wires and that it’s connected properly. Some systems don’t come with a common wire, which leads to compatibility issues with a smart thermostat. This wire powers your thermostat, so if your house doesn’t have a C-wire, we can put one in.
- Housing situation—If you own your residence and want to reside there for a long time, it’s a wise investment to install a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving soon or rent, 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 ahead of adding a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more than programmable thermostats, and we suggest 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 benefits of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.
Trust E.B. Air, LLC for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At E.B. Air, LLC, our number one purpose is to keep your home comfy while helping you spend less heating and cooling expenses. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our professionals can help, from selecting the best model to expert installation. Call us at 979-335-4262 today to learn more.