Keeping your Safford home comfy can require a lot of money. A typical family spends about $172 on monthly utility bills, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 yearly. At least half of that goes to heating and cooling.
Most houses use programmable thermostats, but most people don’t take the trouble to program them. The process is annoying, complicated and only offers you limited options for temperature settings. When your home is kept at an unchanging setting throughout the day, it consumes energy and badly affects your monthly bill.
Smart thermostats learn from your schedule and adapt the temp to coordinate it. But can using one really conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Save on Energy Bills
Independent studies show these devices can produce big savings.
These studies included home energy bills in 41 states before and after putting in 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 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 since they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is installed, you’ll first use it just like your old thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your wants. Then, it will begin creating a program that helps you save money, whether you’re at your house or away. As it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to think about adjusting it when you leave or come back.
Pros and Cons of Installing a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we covered previously, smart thermostats give a lot of perks to your house and heating and cooling bill, like:
- No need to set—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your routine, so you don’t have to waste time using programs or remember to adjust it.
- Knows when you come and leave—Because lots 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 see your residence’s settings from nearly anyplace, because of an app on your phone.
- Supervise heating and cooling use—Many smart thermostats provide in-depth data through their app, including how long you used heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will alert you to important maintenance tasks, such as when you’re due to change your air filter.
- Additional savings—Most local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats, so contact with yours for more info.
Cons
However, there’s a few points you should contemplate regarding adding a smart thermostat in your home:
- 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 pro like B&D Air Conditioning. We also advise having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the correct number of wires and that it’s connected accurately. Some systems don’t have a common wire, which results in compatibility issues with a smart thermostat. This wire runs your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and plan to reside there for many years, it’s a smart investment to install a smart thermostat. If you’re planning to move in the next year or rent, we suggest holding back unless you will take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll typically need to get your landlord’s permission first before installing a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are pricier than programmable thermostats, and we suggest 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 often at the house? If so, you might not see as big of savings, but you’ll enjoy the convenience of not having to program or adjust a thermostat.
Rely on B&D Air Conditioning for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At B&D Air Conditioning, our main purpose is to keep your home comfy while helping you conserve more heating and cooling costs. If you’re considering installing a smart thermostat, our pros can help, from picking the best model to expert installation. Call us at 928-432-6018 today to learn more.