Keeping your Franklin Lakes residence comfy can eat up a good amount of money. The usual family spends about $172 on monthly heating and cooling expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or approximately $2,060 each year. At least half of that is consumed by heating and cooling.
Many houses rely on programmable thermostats, but many people don’t bother to set them. The process is time-consuming, involved and only gives you a couple of options for desired temperatures. When your home is kept at the same temperature throughout the day, it wastes energy and adversely affects your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats adjust to your routine and regulate the temp to coordinate it. But can using one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Utility Bills
Independent studies have found these devices can produce large savings.
These studies included home utility costs in 41 states before and after putting in a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study found its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, generating an approximated 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 have rebates for smart thermostats because they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is installed, you’ll first use it just like your old thermostat. You’ll switch it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your wants. Then, it will begin creating a program that helps you conserve more money, whether you’re at your residence or out and about. As it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to put it on your list to adjust it when you leave or return.
Pros and Cons of Using a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned previously, smart thermostats provide many advantages to your residence and energy expenses, like:
- No need to adjust—Your smart thermostat will learn your activities, so you don’t have to use up time adjusting programs or remember to change.
- Knows when you come and leave—Because many smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will go into an energy-efficient setting when you leave and be cozy when you get back.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to see your house’s temperature from nearly anyplace, due to an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats offer in-depth data through their app, including how long you used heating and cooling on a certain day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will remind you of critical maintenance tasks, including when you need to replace your air filter.
- Added savings—Many local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats, so contact with yours for more information.
Cons
In spite of that, there’s a few areas you should consider regarding getting a smart thermostat in your home:
- Compatibility—Subject to the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not function with it. If you don’t know, it’s recommended to contact an HVAC professional like Total Comfort. We also recommend having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the right number of wires and that it’s linked properly. Some systems don’t have a common wire, which causes compatibility problems with a smart thermostat. This wire runs your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can add one.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and are planning to live there for many years, it’s a good investment to install a smart thermostat. If you plan to move shortly or rent, we recommend delaying unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll often need to get your landlord’s permission first ahead of adding a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats are more expensive than programmable thermostats, and we advise 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 big of savings, but you’ll enjoy the perks of not being required to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Total Comfort for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Total Comfort, our number one priority is to keep your residence pleasant while helping you spend less energy costs. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from choosing the right model to expert installation. Give us a call at 201-268-5663 today to learn more.