Keeping your Northglenn home comfy can eat up a big chunk of change. The usual family spends about $172 on monthly utility expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or around $2,060 annually. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.
Many houses use programmable thermostats, but the majority of people don’t take the trouble to use them properly. The process is time-consuming, complicated and only offers you a few options for temperature settings. When your home remains at an unchanging setting throughout the day, it requires gas and electricity and adversely influences your monthly bill.
Smart thermostats pick up on your day-to-day activities and regulate the settings to match it. But can using one really conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Reduce on Heating and Cooling Costs
Independent studies have determined these devices can lead to major savings.
These studies involved home heating and cooling costs in 41 states before and after adding a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study found its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, producing an approximated 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 most local energy companies have 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 first program it just like your previous thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can determine your wants. Then, it will get to work creating a program that helps you save money, whether you’re at your residence or gone. As it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to remember to adjust it when you exit or come back.
Pros and Cons of Installing a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we covered previously, smart thermostats provide many perks to your house and utility costs, including:
- No need to adjust—Your smart thermostat will learn your schedule, so you won’t need to waste time using programs or remember to adjust it.
- Knows when you arrive and take off—Since many smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will go into an energy-efficient setting when you leave and be cozy when you get back.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to watch your house’s temp from nearly anywhere, due to an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—Many smart thermostats provide great data through their app, including how long you required heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Some smart thermostats will let you know about essential maintenance tasks, including when you’re due to get a new air filter.
- Added savings—Many local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for more info.
Cons
Having said that, there’s several points you should contemplate when considering getting a smart thermostat in your house:
- Compatibility—Depending on the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not be compatible. If you’re not sure, it’s best to ask an HVAC specialist like Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.. We also suggest having it professionally installed. This ensures that you have the proper number of wires and that it’s hooked up correctly. Some systems don’t come with a common wire, which causes compatibility troubles with a smart thermostat. This wire powers your thermostat, so if your house doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your residence and plan to live there for many years, it’s a good investment to get a smart thermostat. If you plan to move in the next year or rent, we advise waiting unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll typically need to secure your landlord’s permission first prior to adding a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are more expensive than programmable thermostats, and we suggest having yours professionally installed. However, the energy savings over time can help pay for itself.
- Lifestyle—Does a family member work from home, or is someone often at the house? If that’s your situation, you might not see as large of savings, but you’ll have the convenience of not being required to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., our top priority 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 ideal model to expert installation. Contact us at 303-452-4146 today to learn more.