Keeping your Libertyville house cozy can consume a good amount of money. The average homeowner spends about $172 on monthly utility costs, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 each year. At least half of that goes to heating and cooling.
Many residences use programmable thermostats, but many people don’t take the trouble to use them properly. The process is bothersome, involved and only provides you a couple of options for temperature settings. When your home remains at the same setting throughout the day, it requires energy and adversely affects your monthly bill.
Smart thermostats learn from your schedule and adjust the temperatures to accompany it. But can getting one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Utility Costs
Independent studies have found these devices can produce large savings.
These studies included home utility expenses 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, resulting in an estimated savings of $131 to $145 annually.
With the common 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 since they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is installed, you’ll at first program 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 get to work 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 remember to adjust it when you go or return.
Pros and Cons of Having a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned prior, smart thermostats give many perks to your residence and utility bill, like:
- No need to adjust—Your smart thermostat will pick up on your schedule, so you don’t have to waste time using programs or remember to change.
- Knows when you get home and go—Because many smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will be put into an energy-efficient setting when you take off and be comfy when you return.
- Remote temperature supervision—You’ll be able to see your home’s temperature from just about any location, because of an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats offer valuable data through their app, including how long you required heating and cooling on a particular day.
- Reminders—Some smart thermostats will let you know about important maintenance tasks, including when you’re due to get a new air filter.
- Extra savings—Most local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats, so check with yours for more info.
Cons
However, there’s a couple of areas you should contemplate regarding installing a smart thermostat in your house:
- Compatibility—Subject to the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not be compatible. If you don’t know, it’s recommended to check with an HVAC professional like TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical. We also recommend having it professionally installed. This guarantees that you have the correct number of wires and that it’s linked accurately. Some systems don’t come with a common wire, which results in compatibility problems with a smart thermostat. This wire runs your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and plan to reside there for a long time, it’s a wise investment to install a smart thermostat. If you’re planning to move shortly or rent, we suggest holding back unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll typically need to get your landlord’s permission first prior to getting a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are more expensive 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 so, you might not see as many savings, but you’ll have the perks of not being required to program or adjust a thermostat.
Rely on TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, our top purpose is to keep your house cozy while helping you spend less energy expenses. If you’re thinking about installing a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from selecting the ideal model to expert installation. Call us at 847-362-0262 today to learn more.