Keeping your Omaha home comfortable can eat up a good amount of money. A typical homeowner spends about $172 on monthly utility expenses, according to ENERGY STAR®, or approximately $2,060 each year. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.
Most homes use programmable thermostats, but most people don’t take the time to program them. The process is time-consuming, complicated and only offers you a few options for desired temperatures. When your home is kept at the same setting throughout the day, it consumes energy and adversely affects your monthly expenses.
Smart thermostats learn from your day-to-day activities and regulate the temperatures to match it. But can having one really help you spend less money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Energy Bills
Independent studies have found these devices can lead to major savings.
These studies involved home energy costs 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, producing an estimated savings of $131 to $145 each year.
With the typical smart thermostat costing between $100–$250, those savings can help it pay for itself. And most 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 initially use it just like any other thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your preferences. Then, it will get to work making a program that helps you save money, whether you’re at your house or out and about. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to remember to adjust it when you exit or come back.
Pros and Cons of Having a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned prior, smart thermostats offer a lot of advantages to your home and utility expenses, such as:
- No need to set—Your smart thermostat will learn your schedule, so you won’t need to spend time setting programs or remember to turn it up or down.
- Knows when you come and take off—As a lot of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your house will be put into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be cozy when you arrive.
- Remote temperature management—You’ll be able to keep an eye on your house’s settings from just about any location, on account of an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—Most smart thermostats provide great data through their app, like how long you needed heating and cooling on a certain day.
- Reminders—Certain smart thermostats will remind you of crucial maintenance tasks, like when it’s time to change your air filter.
- Extra savings—Most local energy companies have rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for more info.
Cons
However, there’s a couple of points you should contemplate regarding adding a smart thermostat in your residence:
- Compatibility—Subject to the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not work. If you’re not sure, it’s advisable to check with an HVAC professional like Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning. We also suggest having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the proper number of wires and that it’s hooked up right. Some systems don’t come with a common wire, which creates compatibility issues with a smart thermostat. This wire energizes your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your residence and plan to live there for a long time, it’s a smart investment to install a smart thermostat. If you’re planning to move soon or rent, we suggest waiting unless you will take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll usually need to have your landlord’s permission first before putting in a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more than programmable thermostats, and we suggest 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 frequently at the house? If so, you might not see as large of savings, but you’ll have the perks of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.
Trust Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning, our number one goal is to keep your home pleasant while helping you spend less utility bills. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our professionals can help, from picking the best model to expert installation. Give us a call at 402-509-5940 today to learn more.