Keeping your Tomball home comfortable can require a big chunk of change. A typical family spends about $172 on monthly heating and cooling expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 annually. At least half of that is consumed by heating and cooling.
The majority of residences use programmable thermostats, but most people don’t bother to use them properly. The process is bothersome, detailed and only offers you a couple of options for temperature settings. When your residence is kept at the same temperature throughout the day, it consumes gas and electricity and adversely affects your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats learn from your schedule and change 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 Reduce on Utility Costs
Independent studies have determined these devices can lead to big savings.
These studies used home heating and cooling bills in 41 states before and after installing a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study found its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, producing an estimated savings of $131 to $145 annually.
With the average smart thermostat running between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And many local energy companies provide 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 initially set it just like your old thermostat. You’ll turn it up and down, so the thermostat can determine your desired settings. Then, it will get to work creating a program that helps you conserve more money, whether you’re at home or out and about. As it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to remember to adjust it when you go or come home.
Pros and Cons of Using a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we talked about before, smart thermostats provide lots of benefits to your residence and utility bill, like:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your routine, so you don’t have to waste time adjusting programs or remember to adjust it.
- Knows when you arrive and go—Since a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will move into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be comfortable when you get back.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to see your residence’s temp from virtually anyplace, because of an app on your phone.
- Monitor heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats give in-depth data through their app, including how long you needed heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will remind you of essential maintenance tasks, like when you’re due to put in a new air filter.
- Additional savings—Many local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats, so check with yours for details.
Cons
In spite of that, there’s a couple of points you should contemplate regarding adding a smart thermostat in your home:
- Compatibility—Based on the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not function with it. If you’re unsure, it’s best to check with an HVAC specialist like Premium Air Services LLC. We also recommend having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the right number of wires and that it’s hooked up properly. Some systems don’t have a common wire, which causes 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 residence and plan to be there for years, it’s a good investment to get a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving shortly or rent, we advise holding back unless you will take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to get your landlord’s permission first in advance of putting in a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are pricier 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 regularly at the house? If that’s your situation, you might not see as large of savings, but you’ll have the convenience of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.
Rely on Premium Air Services LLC for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Premium Air Services LLC, our number one goal is to keep your house pleasant while helping you conserve more energy costs. If you’re considering installing a smart thermostat, our professionals can help, from choosing the best model to expert installation. Call us at 713-364-9957 today to learn more.