Keeping your Lafayette home comfortable can consume a big chunk of change. A typical homeowner spends about $172 on monthly utility bills, according to ENERGY STAR®, or approximately $2,060 each year. At least half of that goes to heating and cooling.
Many homes have programmable thermostats, but many people don’t take the time to use them properly. The process is time-consuming, complicated and only offers you a couple of options for desired temperatures. When your residence stays at the same temp throughout the day, it requires utilities and badly influences your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats adjust to your day-to-day activities and regulate the temperatures to coordinate it. But can having one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Save on Utility Bills
Independent studies have determined these devices can result in big savings.
These studies involved home heating and cooling expenses in 41 states before and after installing 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 priced between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And the majority of local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats since they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is ready to go, you’ll at first set it just like any other thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can figure out your wants. Then, it will start developing a program that helps you conserve more money, whether you’re at your residence or gone. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to think about adjusting it when you go or get back.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned previously, smart thermostats give a lot of advantages to your home and energy bill, including:
- No need to program—Your smart thermostat will learn your activities, so you don’t have to use up time setting programs or remember to change.
- Knows when you get home and go—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 arrive.
- Remote temperature management—You’ll be able to keep an eye on your home’s temp from virtually anywhere, on account of an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats give valuable data through their app, including how long you needed heating and cooling on a particular day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will alert you to critical maintenance tasks, like when you’re due to get a new air filter.
- Extra savings—Many local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats, so contact with yours for more information.
Cons
Having said that, there’s a few areas you should contemplate when considering 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 be compatible. If you’re not sure, it’s best to contact an HVAC specialist like AC Sales. We also suggest having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the proper number of wires and that it’s connected correctly. Some systems don’t have a common wire, which creates compatibility issues with a smart thermostat. This wire powers your thermostat, so if your home doesn’t have a C-wire, we can add one.
- Housing situation—If you own your residence and want to live there for a long time, it’s a good investment to have a smart thermostat. If you’re planning to move shortly or rent, we suggest waiting 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 putting in a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more than programmable thermostats, and we advise having yours professionally installed. However, the energy savings over time can help pay for itself.
- Lifestyle—Does a family member work from home, or is someone regularly at the house? If that’s your situation, you might not see as large of savings, but you’ll enjoy the perks of not being required to program or adjust a thermostat.
Rely on AC Sales for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At AC Sales, our number one goal is to keep your residence comfortable while helping you spend less energy bills. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our professionals can help, from picking the ideal model to expert installation. Call us at (337) 234-2345 today to learn more.
