Keeping your Temple/Belton residence comfy can consume a lot of money. The usual household spends about $172 on monthly utility costs, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 each year. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.
Most houses have programmable thermostats, but the majority of people don’t take the trouble to use them properly. The process is annoying, involved and only provides you a few options for temperature settings. When your house is kept at an unchanging temp throughout the day, it consumes energy and adversely influences your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats pick up on your routine and change the temp to accompany it. But can installing one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Save on Energy Expenses
Independent studies have determined these devices can produce major savings.
These studies used home utility bills 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, resulting in an approximated savings of $131 to $145 yearly.
With the typical smart thermostat costing between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And most local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats since they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is put in, you’ll at first use it just like any other thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can determine your desired settings. Then, it will start making a program that helps you spend less money, whether you’re at your house or gone. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to remember to adjust it when you exit or get back.
Pros and Cons of Having a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we talked about before, smart thermostats offer many advantages to your home and energy costs, such as:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will pick up on your routine, so you don’t have to waste time adjusting programs or remember to adjust it.
- Knows when you arrive and take off—As lots of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your home will go into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be comfy when you get back.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to see your home’s temperature from nearly anywhere, thanks to an app on your phone.
- Supervise heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats provide in-depth data through their app, like how long you used heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will remind you of crucial maintenance tasks, including when it’s time to get a new air filter.
- Additional savings—Many local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for more info.
Cons
Having said that, there’s several areas you should contemplate when thinking about getting a smart thermostat in your house:
- Compatibility—Based on the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not function with it. If you’re unsure, it’s recommended to contact an HVAC specialist like Bell Air Conditioning Inc. We also recommend having it professionally installed. This ensures that you have the right number of wires and that it’s linked accurately. Some systems don’t come with a common wire, which leads to compatibility troubles with a smart thermostat. This wire powers your thermostat, so if your house doesn’t have a C-wire, we can add one.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and are planning to live there for a long time, it’s a good investment to install a smart thermostat. If you’re planning to move soon or rent, we suggest holding back unless you will take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll usually need to secure your landlord’s permission first in advance of getting a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are pricier than programmable thermostats, and we advise having yours professionally installed. However, the energy savings over time can help pay for itself.
- Lifestyle—Does a family member work from home, or is someone frequently at the house? If so, you might not see as many savings, but you’ll get the convenience of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.
Trust Bell Air Conditioning Inc for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Bell Air Conditioning Inc, our top purpose is to keep your home comfy while helping you spend less energy bills. If you’re considering installing a smart thermostat, our pros can help, from picking the right model to expert installation. Call us at 254-307-9572 today to learn more.