Keeping your Arlington residence comfy can consume a big chunk of change. The average family spends about $172 on monthly utility costs, according to ENERGY STAR®, or around $2,060 annually. At least half of that goes to heating and cooling.
The majority of homes rely on programmable thermostats, but most people don’t bother to use them properly. The process is annoying, involved and only gives you a couple of options for temperature changes. When your residence stays at an identical setting throughout the day, it wastes gas and electricity and badly affects your monthly expenses.
Smart thermostats adjust to your schedule and modify the temperatures to coordinate it. But can installing 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 show these devices can produce major savings.
These studies involved home heating and cooling expenses in 41 states before and after installing 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 estimated savings of $131 to $145 each year.
With the common smart thermostat running between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And the majority of 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 put in, you’ll at first program it just like any other thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can determine your wants. Then, it will begin making a program that helps you conserve more money, whether you’re at your house or out and about. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to think about adjusting it when you leave or get back.
Pros and Cons of Installing a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we covered before, smart thermostats give lots of advantages to your residence and heating and cooling bill, including:
- No need to adjust—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your schedule, so you won’t be required to waste time adjusting programs or remember to turn it up or down.
- Knows when you arrive and go—As lots of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your home will move into an energy-efficient setting when you take off and be cozy when you return.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to see your home’s temperature from nearly anywhere, because of an app on your phone.
- Supervise heating and cooling use—The majority of smart thermostats offer valuable data through their app, including how long you needed heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will alert you to important maintenance tasks, such as when you need to replace your air filter.
- Additional savings—Most local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for details.
Cons
However, there’s several points you should take into account when thinking about adding a smart thermostat in your residence:
- 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 advisable to check with an HVAC pro like Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning. We also advise having it professionally installed. This guarantees that you have the proper number of wires and that it’s connected correctly. Some systems don’t come with a common wire, which results in compatibility problems with a smart thermostat. This wire runs your thermostat, so if your home doesn’t have a C-wire, we can add one.
- Housing situation—If you own your residence and plan to reside there for years, it’s a smart investment to install a smart thermostat. If you plan to move soon or rent, we suggest holding back unless you will take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to get your landlord’s permission first ahead of putting in a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more than programmable thermostats, and we recommend 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 regularly at the house? If so, you might not see as large of savings, but you’ll have the perks of not being required to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning, our top goal is to keep your residence cozy while helping you save on utility costs. If you’re considering installing a smart thermostat, our pros can help, from choosing the ideal model to expert installation. Contact us at 360-255-5857 today to learn more.