Keeping your Kutztown and Breinigsville home comfy can require a big chunk of change. The usual homeowner spends about $172 on monthly utility costs, according to ENERGY STAR®, or around $2,060 each year. At least half of that is consumed by heating and cooling.
The majority of homes have programmable thermostats, but most people don’t take the time to set them. The process is annoying, involved and only gives you a couple of options for desired temperatures. When your house remains at an unchanging temperature throughout the day, it wastes energy and negatively influences your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats adjust to your routine and change the temperatures to accompany it. But can installing one really conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Reduce on Energy Costs
Independent studies have found these devices can result in large savings.
These studies used 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 the majority of local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats as they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is installed, you’ll first set it just like any other thermostat. You’ll turn it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your preferences. Then, it will begin creating a program that helps you save money, whether you’re at your house or gone. Since it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to think about adjusting it when you exit or return.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we covered prior, smart thermostats provide lots of pluses to your residence and energy costs, like:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will pick up on your routine, so you don’t have to spend time using programs or remember to change.
- Knows when you arrive and take off—Since a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will move into an energy-efficient setting when you leave and be comfortable when you return.
- Remote temperature supervision—You’ll be able to watch your residence’s settings from virtually anywhere, on account of an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats provide detailed data through their app, like how long you required heating and cooling on a certain day.
- Reminders—Certain smart thermostats will let you know about crucial maintenance tasks, like when you need to put in a new air filter.
- Extra savings—Most local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for details.
Cons
Having said that, there’s several points you should consider 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 be compatible. If you’re unsure, it’s advisable to check with an HVAC professional like Moyer Total Indoor Comfort. We also recommend having it professionally installed. This ensures that you have the proper number of wires and that it’s linked correctly. Some systems don’t come with a common wire, which causes compatibility problems with a smart thermostat. This wire energizes your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can put one in.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and are planning to reside there for many years, it’s a smart investment to have a smart thermostat. If you plan to move soon or rent, we suggest delaying unless you will take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to get your landlord’s permission first ahead of adding a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are pricier than programmable thermostats, and we advise 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 frequently at the house? If that’s the case, you might not see as many savings, but you’ll have the convenience of not being required to program or adjust a thermostat.
Rely on Moyer Total Indoor Comfort for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Moyer Total Indoor Comfort, our top purpose is to keep your home pleasant while helping you spend less heating and cooling expenses. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from choosing the ideal model to expert installation. Call us at 484-646-3363 today to learn more.