Keeping your South Beloit and Belvidere home comfy can require a big chunk of change. The usual 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.
Many houses rely on programmable thermostats, but the majority of people don’t take the time to program them. The process is bothersome, involved and only provides you limited options for temperature settings. When your residence is kept at the same temperature throughout the day, it requires utilities and negatively affects your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats pick up on your routine and modify the temp to match it. But can installing one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Energy Expenses
Independent studies show these devices can produce major savings.
These studies involved home heating and cooling costs in 41 states before and after putting in 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 yearly.
With the average smart thermostat running between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And many 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 ready to go, you’ll at first use it just like your previous thermostat. You’ll turn it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your desired settings. Then, it will start making a program that helps you spend less money, whether you’re at your residence or away. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to think about adjusting it when you go or return.
Pros and Cons of Installing a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we covered previously, smart thermostats offer lots of advantages to your home and energy costs, such as:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your activities, so you won’t be required to waste time setting programs or remember to adjust it.
- Knows when you get home and go—As many smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will move into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be comfy when you arrive.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to keep an eye on your home’s temperature from virtually any location, because of an app on your phone.
- Supervise heating and cooling use—Many smart thermostats provide detailed data through their app, like how long you used heating and cooling on a certain day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will let you know about critical maintenance tasks, including when you need to replace your air filter.
- Extra savings—Most local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for details.
Cons
In spite of that, there’s a few things you should contemplate regarding adding 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 don’t know, it’s best to ask an HVAC pro like Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. We also advise 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 problems with a smart thermostat. This wire powers your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can add one.
- Housing situation—If you own your house and want to reside there for years, it’s a smart investment to install a smart thermostat. If you plan to move shortly or rent, we advise waiting unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll typically need to get your landlord’s permission first before putting in a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are more expensive 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 so, you might not see as big of savings, but you’ll get the perks of not having to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc, our top purpose is to keep your home cozy while helping you conserve more energy expenses. If you’re thinking about installing a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from selecting the right model to expert installation. Contact us at 877-389-2465 today to learn more.