Keeping your McHenry home comfortable can require a lot of money. The average household spends about $172 on monthly energy expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 each year. At least half of that is consumed by heating and cooling.
Most houses have programmable thermostats, but many people don’t take the time to use them properly. The process is bothersome, involved and only offers you a couple of options for temperature changes. When your home stays at the same temp throughout the day, it wastes utilities and negatively influences your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats pick up on your day-to-day activities and modify the temperatures to coordinate it. But can getting one really conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Reduce on Utility Costs
Independent studies have determined these devices can result in big savings.
These studies included home utility costs 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, resulting in an approximated 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 offer 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 first 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 begin creating a program that helps you save money, whether you’re at home or out and about. As it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to remember to adjust it when you go or come home.
Pros and Cons of Using a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we covered previously, smart thermostats offer a lot of pluses to your house and energy bill, such as:
- No need to adjust—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your activities, so you don’t have to waste time using programs or remember to adjust it.
- Knows when you get home and go—As lots of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your home will be put into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be comfy when you get back.
- Remote temperature supervision—You’ll be able to see your residence’s temperature from nearly any location, on account of an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—The majority of smart thermostats offer great data through their app, such as how long you required heating and cooling on a certain day.
- Reminders—Certain smart thermostats will let you know about essential maintenance tasks, like when you’re due to get a new air filter.
- Extra savings—Most local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for details.
Cons
In spite of that, there’s several things you should consider regarding getting a smart thermostat in your residence:
- Compatibility—Subject to the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not be compatible. If you’re unsure, it’s best to contact an HVAC pro like Jett's Heating & Air Inc.. We also suggest having it professionally installed. This ensures that you have the right number of wires and that it’s linked correctly. Some systems don’t come with a common wire, which results in compatibility issues with a smart thermostat. This wire powers your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can add one.
- Housing situation—If you own your residence and are planning to be there for a long time, it’s a wise investment to install a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving shortly or rent, we recommend holding back unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll typically need to secure 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 frequently at the house? If that’s your situation, you might not see as many savings, but you’ll have the convenience of not having to program or adjust a thermostat.
Trust Jett's Heating & Air Inc. for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Jett's Heating & Air Inc., our number one priority is to keep your home comfy while helping you conserve more utility costs. If you’re thinking about installing a smart thermostat, our professionals can help, from selecting the best model to expert installation. Call us at 815-410-1128 today to learn more.