Keeping your Houston home comfortable can consume a good amount of money. The average homeowner spends about $172 on monthly energy costs, according to ENERGY STAR®, or about $2,060 yearly. At least half of that is consumed by heating and cooling.
The majority of houses have programmable thermostats, but many people don’t take the time to use them properly. The process is time-consuming, complicated and only gives you a few options for desired temperatures. When your residence stays at the same temperature throughout the day, it consumes utilities and negatively influences your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats adjust to your day-to-day activities and change the temperatures to accompany it. But can using one really conserve money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Save on Energy Costs
Independent studies have determined these devices can result in major savings.
These studies used home energy expenses in 41 states before and after adding a Nest smart thermostat. Nest said the study determined its thermostats can save up to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling, resulting in an estimated savings of $131 to $145 yearly.
With the common smart thermostat costing 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 turn it up and down, so the thermostat can figure out your needs. Then, it will start developing a program that helps you save money, whether you’re at your residence or gone. As it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to put it on your list to adjust it when you exit or get back.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we talked about before, smart thermostats offer lots of perks to your house and utility costs, like:
- No need to adjust—Your smart thermostat will pick up on your routine, so you won’t need to waste time adjusting programs or remember to turn it up or down.
- Knows when you arrive and take off—As many smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will move into an energy-efficient setting when you take off and be comfortable when you arrive.
- Remote temperature management—You’ll be able to watch your residence’s temp from just about anyplace, thanks to an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats give detailed data through their app, like how long you required heating and cooling on a particular day.
- Reminders—Some smart thermostats will remind you of essential maintenance tasks, including when you need 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 things you should take into account when considering installing a smart thermostat in your house:
- Compatibility—Based on 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 ask an HVAC professional like Marcos AC & Heating. We also suggest having it professionally installed. This ensures that you have the correct number of wires and that it’s linked accurately. Some systems don’t come with a common wire, which creates compatibility troubles with a smart thermostat. This wire energizes your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can add one.
- Housing situation—If you own your home and want to be there for years, it’s a wise investment to get 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 typically need to get your landlord’s permission first in advance of adding 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 often at the house? If that’s your situation, you might not see as many savings, but you’ll enjoy the perks of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.
Depend on Marcos AC & Heating for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Marcos AC & Heating, our top priority is to keep your house comfy while helping you conserve more heating and cooling costs. If you’re thinking about installing a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from picking the ideal model to expert installation. Contact us at 713-469-3357 today to learn more.