Keeping your Delray Beach house cozy can require a big chunk of change. The usual homeowner spends about $172 on monthly utility costs, according to ENERGY STAR®, or around $2,060 yearly. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.
The majority of homes use programmable thermostats, but the majority of people don’t bother to set them. The process is annoying, detailed and only gives you a couple of options for desired temperatures. When your residence stays at the same temp throughout the day, it requires gas and electricity and badly influences your monthly expenses.
Smart thermostats adjust to your routine and change the temp to coordinate it. But can using one really help you spend less money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Reduce on Heating and Cooling Expenses
Independent studies show these devices can result in large savings.
These studies involved home utility bills in 41 states before and after adding 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 annually.
With the typical smart thermostat running between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And many local energy companies offer 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 set it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your desired settings. Then, it will get to work developing a program that helps you conserve more money, whether you’re at your residence or gone. Since it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to remember to adjust it when you exit or get back.
Pros and Cons of Having a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we talked about previously, smart thermostats provide lots of advantages to your home and utility expenses, like:
- No need to adjust—Your smart thermostat will pick up on your schedule, so you won’t be required to spend time using programs or remember to change.
- Knows when you come and take off—Since a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will move into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be comfortable when you get back.
- Remote temperature control—You’ll be able to see your house’s temperature from just about anyplace, because of an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—Many smart thermostats offer great data through their app, including how long you needed heating and cooling on a specific day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will let you know about crucial maintenance tasks, such as when you’re due to change your air filter.
- Added savings—Most local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for more info.
Cons
Having said that, there’s a few things you should consider when thinking about adding a smart thermostat in your residence:
- 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 recommended to contact an HVAC professional like Kilbourne Heating & AC. We also advise having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the correct number of wires and that it’s connected properly. Some systems don’t have a common wire, which creates compatibility problems with a smart thermostat. This wire energizes your thermostat, so if your house doesn’t have a C-wire, we can put one in.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and want to be there for years, it’s a good investment to have a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving shortly or rent, we advise holding back unless you plan to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll typically need to secure your landlord’s permission first in advance of getting a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more 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 perks of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.
Trust Kilbourne Heating & AC for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Kilbourne Heating & AC, our main priority is to keep your house comfortable while helping you save on heating and cooling costs. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from picking the ideal model to expert installation. Give us a call at 561-287-7071 today to learn more.