Keeping your York residence cozy can consume a big chunk of change. A typical household spends about $172 on monthly utility expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 each year. At least half of that goes to heating and cooling.
The majority of houses have programmable thermostats, but many people don’t bother to set them. The process is time-consuming, involved and only offers you limited options for temperature changes. When your house is kept at an identical temperature throughout the day, it requires energy and badly influences your monthly expenses.
Smart thermostats pick up on your schedule and change the settings to accompany it. But can using one really conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Reduce on Heating and Cooling Expenses
Independent studies have determined these devices can lead to major savings.
These studies involved home energy bills 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, resulting in an approximated savings of $131 to $145 annually.
With the common smart thermostat priced between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And the majority of local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats because they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is put in, you’ll initially use it just like your previous thermostat. You’ll switch it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your needs. Then, it will start developing 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 remember to adjust it when you leave or come back.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we talked about before, smart thermostats give many benefits to your house and utility expenses, including:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will learn your activities, so you won’t be required to spend time adjusting programs or remember to turn it up or down.
- Knows when you arrive and go—Because a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will go into an energy-efficient setting when you leave and be cozy when you arrive.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to watch your residence’s temp from virtually anyplace, due to an app on your phone.
- Monitor heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats offer detailed data through their app, such as how long you required heating and cooling on a particular day.
- Reminders—Certain smart thermostats will remind you of crucial maintenance tasks, like when you need to put in a new air filter.
- Extra savings—The majority of local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats, so contact with yours for details.
Cons
Having said that, there’s a couple of things you should contemplate when thinking about getting 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 unsure, it’s advisable to contact an HVAC pro like Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning. We also suggest having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the correct number of wires and that it’s connected right. Some systems don’t include a common wire, which results in compatibility troubles with a smart thermostat. This wire runs your thermostat, so if your home doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your residence and plan to reside there for a long time, it’s a wise investment to install a smart thermostat. If you plan to move in the next year or rent, we advise waiting unless you will take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll typically need to have your landlord’s permission first ahead of installing a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are pricier than programmable thermostats, and we recommend 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 regularly at the house? If that’s the case, you might not see as big of savings, but you’ll have the convenience of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning, our main goal is to keep your residence comfy while helping you conserve more heating and cooling bills. If you’re considering installing a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from choosing the ideal model to expert installation. Call us at 717-383-4479 today to learn more.