Air conditioning and heating usually make up about 50% of a home’s total energy use. Keeping your home comfortable can be costly. Many people look for ways to lower their heating and cooling bills. Upgrading to a more energy-efficient HVAC system usually saves you the most money. But it also requires a big upfront investment.
It can also take years for a new HVAC system to start paying off, and in some cases, it may never do so. Installing a smart thermostat is a smart investment. It often saves you more money than you might expect.
How Much Can You Save With a Smart Thermostat?
Upgrading to a smart thermostat can save you money, but it depends on a few things. This includes your HVAC system’s efficiency. It also depends on your daily habits and current heating and cooling costs. The EPA reports that an ENERGY STAR smart thermostat can lower heating costs by 8%. It can also reduce cooling costs by 10% for many homeowners.
In the hot Texas climate, a 10% reduction in cooling costs can add up to savings of over $50 to $100 per year. The average cost to install a smart thermostat is between $200 and $500. It can pay for itself in a few years.
Other Benefits of Upgrading to a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat can benefit you in other ways. Some homeowners pick smart thermostats for reasons beyond saving on energy bills. They also enjoy the convenience and better comfort they provide.
When you feel cold in bed during winter, use the thermostat app. It lets you raise the heat without getting out from under the covers. If you know you’ll finish work early, you can change your AC or heating from your phone. This way, your house won’t be too hot or cold when you get home.
Many smart thermostats let you track how much energy your HVAC system uses through their app. This feature shows how your thermostat settings impact energy use. It also helps you assess the efficiency of your HVAC system’s operation. A sudden spike in energy use means it’s time for a service or repair. Schedule this service now. It can help you avoid bigger problems later. This way, you might save on costly repairs.
If your HVAC system doesn’t start or stops mid-cycle, the app will notify your phone immediately. That lets you know you need to schedule an inspection. Use the thermostat app to set maintenance alerts. This way, you’ll remember to change the air filter and schedule your annual tune-up.
More and more, new HVAC systems only work with smart thermostats. This is especially true for high-efficiency systems. Installing a smart thermostat now helps get your home ready for when you need a new HVAC system.
Features to Look for in a Smart Thermostat
Some smart thermostats are quite simple. They are like standard programmable models but have Wi-Fi capability. To save more with a smart thermostat, choose one with advanced features. Look for geofencing, weather monitoring, energy tracking, and learning abilities.
Choosing a smart thermostat with ENERGY STAR certification is the best choice. These units must meet strict standards to help cut cooling and heating costs. They also need an energy-saving mode. This feature helps the thermostat screen turn off when not in use, saving electricity.
For the best savings, set your thermostat 3-5 degrees higher or lower when you’re at work or asleep. This is where installing a smart “learning” thermostat is beneficial. These units can use various methods to track your daily routines. The thermostat will switch between home, away, and sleep modes after one or two weeks.
It adjusts based on your routine. Set your preferred temperature for each mode. The thermostat will handle everything else.
Adaptive Learning
Learning units usually have a motion sensor. They often include extra sensors for your main exterior doors. These sensors allow the thermostat to learn the times when no one is home. It will then switch from home mode to away mode at these times without any manual input. It will switch back to home mode early. This way, your house will be at its normal temperature when you get back.
The thermostat’s sensor detects when people usually go to bed. Then, it switches to sleep or nighttime mode at that time. You can still use the app to change the temperature or switch modes when needed.
Geofencing
Geofencing is another useful feature that improves comfort and saves energy. The way it works is that you use the app to create boundaries on a map, designating your home and away zones. This usually means setting a boundary at work.
The thermostat should switch to “away mode” when you arrive. It stays in that mode until you leave. If you leave early or stay late, the thermostat will switch to home mode sooner or later than usual.
Wi-Fi Monitoring
Some smart thermostats track your home Wi-Fi. They check whether any phones with the app connect. If no one connects phones for a certain amount of time, the thermostat will switch to away mode.
The only downside is that it may switch to away mode. This can happen even if you’re gone for a short time, like when running errands. Geofencing is useful here. It stops this from happening unless you cross into your away zone.
Smart Home Compatibility and Voice Control
Smart home integration lets you manage your comfort. Smart thermostats help with this. These devices work well with popular smart home platforms. You can use Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit to control them.
Use your voice! Say a command to change the temperature, set schedules, or check the system status. Smart thermostats connect with other smart devices, like lights and door sensors. This helps them create routines that boost energy efficiency and comfort.
Compatibility With Indoor Air Quality Devices
Smart thermostats do more than adjust the temperature. They can use IAQ devices such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and air purifiers. When connected, your thermostat can adjust these systems without manual input. It uses real-time conditions to help keep your home environment healthier. For example, it can turn on a humidifier in dry winter months.
It can also activate an air purifier if the air quality drops. This compatibility lets your HVAC and IAQ systems work together. This means better comfort and wellness for you. Smart controls let you track and manage everything from one app. This boosts convenience and keeps your indoor air quality fresh all year.
For Professional Smart Thermostat and HVAC Services
For HVAC services in Spring, Cleveland, and nearby areas, trust ASAP HVAC. We help both homes and businesses. You can count on us for all your heating and cooling needs. We help install smart thermostats.
We also service HVAC systems and improve indoor air quality. You can count on us for quality work at a fair price. Contact us today to learn about the benefits of a smart thermostat. You can also schedule an appointment for installation in your home or business.
