Keeping your Murrieta residence comfy can require a big chunk of change. The average family spends about $172 on monthly heating and cooling expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or around $2,060 annually. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.
Many homes rely on programmable thermostats, but many people don’t take the time to set them. The process is annoying, complicated and only gives you a couple of options for temperature changes. When your house remains at an identical setting throughout the day, it requires utilities and adversely influences your monthly expenses.
Smart thermostats pick up on your day-to-day activities and regulate the temp to match it. But can using one really conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Energy Costs
Independent studies have found these devices can result in large savings.
These studies included home utility bills in 41 states before and after adding a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study determined its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, generating an estimated savings of $131 to $145 annually.
With the common smart thermostat running between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And most local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats because they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is put in, you’ll first program it just like your previous 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 conserve more money, whether you’re at your residence or away. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to think about adjusting it when you go or come home.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we covered before, smart thermostats give a lot of pluses to your home and energy costs, including:
- No need to set—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your schedule, so you don’t have to spend time setting programs or remember to turn it up or down.
- Knows when you come and leave—Because many smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will go into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be cozy when you return.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to watch your home’s temp from virtually anyplace, thanks to an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—The majority of smart thermostats provide detailed data through their app, such as how long you required heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Some smart thermostats will remind you of critical maintenance tasks, like when you’re due to get a new air filter.
- Added savings—Most local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats, so contact with yours for more info.
Cons
However, there’s a couple of things you should contemplate when considering installing a smart thermostat in your house:
- Compatibility—Subject to the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not work. If you’re not sure, it’s best to contact an HVAC professional like Cool Air Solutions. We also recommend having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the proper number of wires and that it’s connected correctly. Some systems don’t come with a common wire, which creates compatibility problems with a smart thermostat. This wire runs your thermostat, so if your house doesn’t have a C-wire, we can put one in.
- Housing situation—If you own your house and want to live there for a long time, it’s a wise investment to install a smart thermostat. If you’re planning to move soon or rent, we advise waiting unless you plan to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll usually need to get your landlord’s permission first in advance of installing a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more 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 frequently at the house? If that’s your situation, you might not see as many savings, but you’ll enjoy the convenience of not having to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Cool Air Solutions for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Cool Air Solutions, our main priority is to keep your residence comfy while helping you spend less heating and cooling bills. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our professionals can help, from picking the best model to expert installation. Give us a call at 951-299-9853 today to learn more.