Keeping your Ballwin and St. Charles residence cozy can require a big chunk of change. The usual household spends about $172 on monthly utility costs, according to ENERGY STAR®, or approximately $2,060 annually. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.
Most homes use programmable thermostats, but many people don’t take the time to program them. The process is annoying, detailed and only gives you a few options for desired temperatures. When your home stays at the same setting throughout the day, it requires utilities and badly influences your monthly expenses.
Smart thermostats pick up on your routine and adapt the settings to accompany it. But can having one really conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Reduce on Heating and Cooling Bills
Independent studies have found these devices can lead to major savings.
These studies included home energy costs in 41 states before and after adding a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study found its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, producing an approximated savings of $131 to $145 each year.
With the common smart thermostat costing between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And many 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 put in, you’ll at first use it just like any other thermostat. You’ll switch it up and down, so the thermostat can determine your needs. Then, it will begin making a program that helps you spend less money, whether you’re at your residence or gone. As it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to think about adjusting it when you leave or get back.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned prior, smart thermostats give many benefits to your residence and utility bill, such as:
- No need to set—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your schedule, so you don’t have to use up time adjusting programs or remember to adjust it.
- Knows when you get home and go—Because many smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will move into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be comfy when you get back.
- Remote temperature supervision—You’ll be able to keep an eye on your residence’s settings from just about anywhere, due to an app on your phone.
- Monitor heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats offer detailed data through their app, like how long you required heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Some smart thermostats will remind you of critical maintenance tasks, like when it’s time to put in a new air filter.
- Extra 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 few areas you should take into account regarding adding a smart thermostat in your residence:
- Compatibility—Subject to 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 check with an HVAC specialist like Air Alliance Team. We also suggest having it professionally installed. This guarantees that you have the right number of wires and that it’s linked accurately. Some systems don’t have a common wire, which leads to compatibility problems with a smart thermostat. This wire energizes your thermostat, so if your house doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your house and plan to be there for a long time, it’s a smart investment to have a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving shortly or rent, we advise delaying unless you will take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll typically need to secure your landlord’s permission first before adding a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are more expensive than programmable thermostats, and we suggest 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 your situation, you might not see as large of savings, but you’ll enjoy the benefits of not being required to program or adjust a thermostat.
Trust Air Alliance Team for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Air Alliance Team, our number one purpose is to keep your residence pleasant while helping you spend less heating and cooling costs. If you’re thinking about installing a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from selecting the ideal model to expert installation. Contact us at 636-206-4250 today to learn more.