Keeping your Moline house comfy can consume a good amount of money. The average family spends about $172 on monthly energy expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 annually. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.
Most residences use programmable thermostats, but many people don’t take the trouble to set them. The process is time-consuming, detailed and only gives you a few options for desired temperatures. When your residence is kept at an unchanging temp throughout the day, it requires gas and electricity and badly influences your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats pick up on your day-to-day activities and regulate the temperatures to accompany it. But can using one really help you spend less money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Save on Energy Bills
Independent studies have found these devices can result in major savings.
These studies used home energy expenses in 41 states before and after adding 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 estimated savings of $131 to $145 annually.
With the common smart thermostat costing between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And the majority of 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 installed, you’ll initially program it just like any other thermostat. You’ll switch it up and down, so the thermostat can determine your desired settings. Then, it will get to work developing a program that helps you conserve more money, whether you’re at home or gone. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to think about adjusting it when you go or get back.
Pros and Cons of Using a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned before, smart thermostats provide lots of pluses to your residence and utility costs, like:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will pick up on your schedule, so you won’t need to waste time setting programs or remember to change.
- Knows when you arrive and go—Because a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your home will be put into an energy-efficient setting when you leave and be comfortable when you get back.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to keep an eye on your house’s settings from virtually any location, because of an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—The majority of smart thermostats offer in-depth data through their app, including how long you needed heating and cooling on a particular day.
- Reminders—Some smart thermostats will let you know about important maintenance tasks, like when you need to change your air filter.
- Additional savings—The majority of local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats, so check with yours for details.
Cons
However, there’s a couple of areas you should contemplate regarding adding a smart thermostat in your house:
- Compatibility—Depending on the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not work. If you don’t know, it’s recommended to contact an HVAC professional like J.L. Brady Company LLC. We also advise having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the correct number of wires and that it’s connected properly. Some systems don’t include a common wire, which leads to compatibility issues with a smart thermostat. This wire powers your thermostat, so if your home doesn’t have a C-wire, we can put one in.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and are planning to live there for years, it’s a smart investment to get a smart thermostat. If you’re planning to move in the next year or rent, we advise waiting unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to get your landlord’s permission first before adding a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are more expensive than programmable thermostats, and we suggest 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 often at the house? If that’s the case, you might not see as large of savings, but you’ll get the convenience of not being required to program or adjust a thermostat.
Rely on J.L. Brady Company LLC for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At J.L. Brady Company LLC, our top goal is to keep your residence cozy while helping you save on energy costs. If you’re considering installing a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from choosing the best model to expert installation. Contact us at 309-517-7511 today to learn more.