Keeping your Marshalltown home comfy can require a big chunk of change. The average homeowner spends about $172 on monthly energy bills, according to ENERGY STAR®, or around $2,060 annually. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.
Many homes use programmable thermostats, but most people don’t take the trouble to use them properly. The process is time-consuming, complicated and only provides you a few options for temperature settings. When your home remains at an unchanging temp throughout the day, it wastes gas and electricity and adversely affects your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats pick up on your schedule and adjust the temperatures to match it. But can using one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Heating and Cooling Expenses
Independent studies have found these devices can lead to big savings.
These studies included home heating and cooling costs in 41 states before and after installing a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study showed its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, generating an estimated savings of $131 to $145 yearly.
With the average smart thermostat costing between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And the majority of local energy companies provide 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 initially set it just like your previous thermostat. You’ll switch 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. Since it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to think about adjusting it when you leave or come home.
Pros and Cons of Installing a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we covered prior, smart thermostats provide a lot of perks to your residence and energy costs, like:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will pick up on your schedule, so you won’t be required to use up time adjusting programs or remember to turn it up or down.
- Knows when you get home and leave—Because lots of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will move into an energy-efficient setting when you take off and be comfortable when you return.
- Remote temperature supervision—You’ll be able to see your residence’s settings from just about anyplace, thanks to an app on your phone.
- Supervise heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats provide detailed data through their app, including how long you required heating and cooling on a certain day.
- Reminders—Certain smart thermostats will let you know about essential maintenance tasks, such as when you need to get a new air filter.
- Additional savings—The majority of local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for more info.
Cons
However, there’s several points you should contemplate regarding adding a smart thermostat in your home:
- 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 recommended to check with an HVAC pro like B & G HVAC. We also advise having it professionally installed. This ensures that you have the right number of wires and that it’s connected right. Some systems don’t include 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 install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and want to reside there for years, it’s a good investment to install a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving soon or rent, we recommend waiting unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll usually need to secure your landlord’s permission first before adding a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are pricier 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 often at the house? If that’s the case, you might not see as big of savings, but you’ll get the perks of not having to program or adjust a thermostat.
Trust B & G HVAC for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At B & G HVAC, our number one priority is to keep your home pleasant while helping you conserve more energy expenses. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our pros can help, from picking the best model to expert installation. Contact us at 641-316-3360 today to learn more.