Keeping your Phoenix residence cozy can eat up a big chunk of change. The average homeowner spends about $172 on monthly heating and cooling expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or approximately $2,060 each year. At least half of that is consumed by heating and cooling.
Many houses use programmable thermostats, but most people don’t take the time to use them properly. The process is bothersome, complicated and only provides you a couple of options for temperature settings. When your home stays at an unchanging temp throughout the day, it wastes energy and badly impacts your monthly bill.
Smart thermostats learn from your schedule and adjust the temperatures to accompany it. But can getting one really help you spend less money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Save on Heating and Cooling Costs
Independent studies show these devices can lead to large savings.
These studies included home energy 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 average savings of $131 to $145 each year.
With the average smart thermostat costing between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And most local energy companies have 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 initially use it just like your old thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can figure out your wants. Then, it will get to work 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 go or come back.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned previously, smart thermostats give many pluses to your house and heating and cooling expenses, including:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your activities, 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—Since many smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will go into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be comfy when you get back.
- Remote temperature supervision—You’ll be able to keep an eye on your house’s temperature from nearly anyplace, on account of an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats provide in-depth data through their app, including how long you used heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Certain smart thermostats will let you know about essential maintenance tasks, like when it’s time to get a new air filter.
- Extra savings—Most local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for more information.
Cons
Having said that, there’s a couple of points you should contemplate when considering getting a smart thermostat in your house:
- Compatibility—Subject to the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not function with it. If you’re unsure, it’s recommended to ask an HVAC specialist like Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. We also recommend having it professionally installed. This ensures that you have the proper number of wires and that it’s connected properly. Some systems don’t include a common wire, which causes compatibility problems with a smart thermostat. This wire energizes your thermostat, so if your house doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and are planning to reside there for years, it’s a smart investment to have a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving in the next year or rent, we advise delaying unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to secure your landlord’s permission first before installing a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are more expensive than programmable thermostats, and we recommend 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 often at the house? If that’s the case, you might not see as big of savings, but you’ll enjoy the convenience of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc, our main goal is to keep your home comfy while helping you conserve more energy expenses. If you’re thinking about installing a smart thermostat, our pros can help, from choosing the best model to expert installation. Contact us at 602-832-7808 today to learn more.