Keeping your Zelienople house cozy can require a big chunk of change. The average household spends about $172 on monthly heating and cooling bills, according to ENERGY STAR®, or approximately $2,060 annually. At least half of that goes to heating and cooling.
The majority of homes rely on programmable thermostats, but the majority of people don’t take the time to program them. The process is annoying, detailed and only offers you a few options for temperature changes. When your residence remains at an identical setting throughout the day, it requires gas and electricity and badly affects your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats pick up on your routine and change the settings to accompany it. But can getting one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Save on Energy Bills
Independent studies have found these devices can lead to major savings.
These studies used home utility expenses in 41 states before and after installing a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study determined its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, producing an average savings of $131 to $145 annually.
With the average smart thermostat costing between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And most local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats because they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is ready to go, you’ll first use it just like your previous thermostat. You’ll turn it up and down, so the thermostat can determine your desired settings. Then, it will get to work making a program that helps you spend less money, whether you’re at your house or away. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to remember to adjust it when you leave or return.
Pros and Cons of Having a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned previously, smart thermostats give lots of pluses to your residence and heating and cooling expenses, such as:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will learn your activities, so you won’t need to use up time adjusting programs or remember to change.
- Knows when you get home and leave—Since lots of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will be put into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be cozy when you arrive.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to see your house’s temp from virtually anywhere, because of an app on your phone.
- Supervise heating and cooling use—Many smart thermostats provide detailed data through their app, including how long you needed heating and cooling on a certain day.
- Reminders—Some smart thermostats will alert you to important maintenance tasks, such as when you’re due to put in a new air filter.
- Added savings—Many local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats, so contact with yours for more info.
Cons
However, there’s a few things you should consider when thinking about adding a smart thermostat in your residence:
- Compatibility—Based on the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not work. If you’re not sure, it’s recommended to contact an HVAC professional like Knoechel Heating Company. We also advise having it professionally installed. This ensures that you have the proper number of wires and that it’s connected right. Some systems don’t have a common wire, which causes compatibility problems with a smart thermostat. This wire energizes your thermostat, so if your house doesn’t have a C-wire, we can add one.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and plan to live there for a long time, it’s a smart investment to get a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving in the next year or rent, we recommend holding back unless you plan to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to secure your landlord’s permission first before installing a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more than programmable thermostats, and we recommend 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 often at the house? If that’s the case, you might not see as many savings, but you’ll enjoy the convenience of not having to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Knoechel Heating Company for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Knoechel Heating Company, our top goal is to keep your house pleasant while helping you spend less heating and cooling bills. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from selecting the best model to expert installation. Give us a call at 724-425-5852 today to learn more.