How Does a Smart Thermostat Save Money on Utility Expenses?

December 07, 2020

Keeping your Naples residence cozy can require a lot of money. The usual homeowner spends about $172 on monthly energy costs, according to ENERGY STAR®, or approximately $2,060 yearly. At least half of that goes to heating and cooling.

The majority of houses rely on programmable thermostats, but many people don’t take the trouble to program them. The process is bothersome, involved and only offers you a few options for temperature settings. When your house is kept at an identical setting throughout the day, it requires energy and badly influences your monthly expenses.

Smart thermostats learn from your routine and adapt the temp to coordinate it. But can getting one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.

Studies Show Smart Thermostats Save on Energy Expenses

Independent studies have determined these devices can lead to large savings.

These studies included home energy bills in 41 states before and after putting in a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study showed its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, generating an average savings of $131 to $145 yearly.

With the average smart thermostat running between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And the majority of local energy companies offer 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 program it just like any other thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can figure out your desired settings. Then, it will begin creating a program that helps you spend less money, whether you’re at home or gone. As it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to put it on your list to adjust it when you leave or get back.

Pros and Cons of Installing a Smart Thermostat

Pros

As we mentioned before, smart thermostats give a lot of perks to your residence and energy costs, such as:

  • No need to program—Your smart thermostat will adjust to your activities, so you don’t have to spend time setting programs or remember to change.
  • Knows when you arrive and go—As a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will go into an energy-efficient setting when you take off and be cozy when you return.
  • Remote temperature supervision—You’ll be able to keep an eye on your house’s settings from virtually anywhere, on account of an app on your phone.
  • Supervise heating and cooling use—Many smart thermostats give detailed data through their app, such as how long you required heating and cooling on a specific day.
  • Reminders—Some smart thermostats will remind you of crucial maintenance tasks, such as when you’re due to get a new air filter.
  • Extra savings—Many local energy companies have 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 when considering adding a smart thermostat in your home:

  • Compatibility—Based on 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 advisable to ask an HVAC professional like CNR Air Conditioning Inc. We also recommend having it professionally installed. This guarantees that you have the correct number of wires and that it’s connected right. Some systems don’t come with a common wire, which leads to compatibility issues with a smart thermostat. This wire runs your thermostat, so if your home doesn’t have a C-wire, we can put one in.
  • Housing situation—If you own your house and plan to live there for years, it’s a smart investment to install a smart thermostat. If you plan to move in the next year or rent, we recommend holding back unless you will take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to secure your landlord’s permission first in advance of adding a new thermostat.
  • Cost—Smart thermostats cost more than programmable thermostats, and we advise 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 have the benefits of not having to program or adjust a thermostat.

Trust CNR Air Conditioning Inc for Your Smart Thermostat Needs

At CNR Air Conditioning Inc, our main purpose is to keep your residence comfy while helping you conserve more energy bills. If you’re thinking about installing a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from picking the best model to expert installation. Contact us at 239-241-5318 today to learn more.