Keeping your Boynton Beach home comfy can consume a good amount of money. The usual household spends about $172 on monthly energy bills, according to ENERGY STAR®, or around $2,060 yearly. At least half of that goes to heating and cooling.
The majority of homes have programmable thermostats, but most people don’t bother to set them. The process is bothersome, complicated and only gives you limited options for desired temperatures. When your house is kept at an unchanging temp throughout the day, it consumes gas and electricity and negatively impacts your monthly expenses.
Smart thermostats adjust to your day-to-day activities and modify the settings to coordinate it. But can getting one really help you spend less money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Energy Costs
Independent studies show these devices can produce big savings.
These studies used home heating and cooling costs in 41 states before and after installing a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study determined its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, resulting in an approximated savings of $131 to $145 each year.
With the common smart thermostat priced between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And many local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats as 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 your old thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can determine your preferences. Then, it will begin developing a program that helps you save money, whether you’re at your house or out and about. As it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to put it on your list to adjust it when you exit or return.
Pros and Cons of Using a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned prior, smart thermostats give a lot of advantages to your home and heating and cooling costs, such as:
- No need to adjust—Your smart thermostat will pick up on your activities, so you won’t be required to spend time setting programs or remember to adjust it.
- Knows when you get home and go—Since a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will move into an energy-efficient setting when you take off and be comfy when you return.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to keep an eye on your house’s temp from virtually any location, due to an app on your phone.
- Monitor heating and cooling use—Many smart thermostats give detailed data through their app, including how long you needed heating and cooling on a particular day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will alert you to important maintenance tasks, such as when it’s time to get a new air filter.
- Added savings—Many local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats, so contact with yours for details.
Cons
Having said that, there’s a few things you should contemplate regarding installing a smart thermostat in your home:
- Compatibility—Depending on the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not be compatible. If you don’t know, it’s advisable to ask an HVAC pro like A2Z Air Inc. We also suggest having it professionally installed. This ensures that you have the right number of wires and that it’s connected properly. Some systems don’t include a common wire, which creates compatibility troubles with a smart thermostat. This wire energizes your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and want to be there for years, it’s a wise investment to get a smart thermostat. If you plan to move shortly or rent, we advise waiting unless you will take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to secure your landlord’s permission first before putting in a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are pricier 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 often at the house? If that’s the case, you might not see as many savings, but you’ll have the benefits of not being required to program or adjust a thermostat.
Trust A2Z Air Inc for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At A2Z Air Inc, our main goal is to keep your home comfortable while helping you spend less utility costs. If you’re considering installing a smart thermostat, our professionals can help, from picking the ideal model to expert installation. Call us at 561-270-6228 today to learn more.