Keeping your Des Moines house comfy can require a big chunk of change. The average household spends about $172 on monthly heating and cooling costs, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 yearly. At least half of that is consumed by heating and cooling.
Many houses use programmable thermostats, but most people don’t bother to program them. The process is time-consuming, complicated and only offers you a few options for temperature settings. When your residence stays at an unchanging temp throughout the day, it requires energy and badly affects your monthly expenses.
Smart thermostats pick up on your schedule and adapt the settings to match it. But can having one really conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Utility Costs
Independent studies have determined these devices can result in large savings.
These studies included home heating and cooling bills in 41 states before and after putting in a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study determined its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, producing an approximated savings of $131 to $145 yearly.
With the average smart thermostat priced between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And the majority of 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 program it just like your old thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can figure out your needs. Then, it will begin making a program that helps you conserve more money, whether you’re at home or out and about. Since it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to remember to adjust it when you leave or get back.
Pros and Cons of Using a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned before, smart thermostats give lots of pluses to your house and utility bill, like:
- No need to set—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your schedule, so you won’t be required to waste time using programs or remember to turn it up or down.
- Knows when you come and go—As a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will go into an energy-efficient setting when you take off and be comfortable when you return.
- Remote temperature management—You’ll be able to keep an eye on your home’s temperature from nearly anyplace, thanks to an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—The majority of smart thermostats offer great data through their app, including how long you needed heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will alert you to crucial maintenance tasks, like when you need to put in a new air filter.
- Additional savings—The majority of local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats, so contact with yours for more info.
Cons
In spite of that, there’s a couple of areas you should contemplate when thinking about installing a smart thermostat in your residence:
- Compatibility—Based on the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not function with it. If you’re not sure, it’s recommended to contact an HVAC professional like Heartland Heating & Cooling. We also suggest having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the correct number of wires and that it’s connected correctly. Some systems don’t include a common wire, which creates compatibility troubles with a smart thermostat. This wire powers your thermostat, so if your home doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your residence and are planning to live there for a long time, it’s a wise investment to have a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving soon or rent, we suggest waiting unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll usually need to have your landlord’s permission first before installing a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more than programmable thermostats, and we suggest 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 frequently at the house? If so, you might not see as big of savings, but you’ll get the perks of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Heartland Heating & Cooling for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Heartland Heating & Cooling, our main purpose is to keep your residence cozy while helping you spend less energy bills. If you’re thinking about installing a smart thermostat, our pros can help, from choosing the best model to expert installation. Call us at 515-344-3579 today to learn more.