How to Know If a Programmable Thermostat is Right for You
With the summer sun at full blast, it’s the time of year when keeping your home cool is a top priority. It’s also the time of year when that can get expensive. This is especially true if you’re spending more time at home than ever, as many of us are these days. If you’re trying to keep your home as cool as possible, as efficiently as possible, you may be wondering: is a smart thermostat worth it?
What is a Smart Thermostat?
First of all, what is a smart thermostat? Also known as a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat makes it easier and more convenient to adjust temperature settings.
A typical thermostat requires manual adjustments, walking over to the box on the wall when you want to heat up or cool down. A smart thermostat can take that walk out of the equation. In fact, you don’t even need to be at home to adjust the temperature, as you can do so remotely via a mobile app.
You can program a smart thermostat to accommodate your daily routines. It’s a way to optimize your energy usage for maximum convenience and efficiency. You can prioritize which rooms get the most use, which times of day require temperature control, and get a better sense of your true energy needs and expenses.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
For the most part, a smart thermostat works just like a regular thermostat. The capability for manual adjustments is more or less the same. The main difference is the Wifi-enabled remote control, which increases your options for temperature settings. If your Wifi is temporarily down, or your phone is buried somewhere in the couch, you can still work the thermostat.
Smart thermostats can also adapt to your routines and temperature preferences over time. A smart thermostat will account for patterns in your heating and cooling habits. This makes programming simple and efficient, while always leaving you the option to adjust as needed.
Benefits of a Smart Thermostat
There are many advantages to installing a programmable thermostat in your home. But those benefits ultimately come down to two main areas: convenience and savings.
Convenience
As with any smart home technology, a smart thermostat can make things much easier. If your preferences are pretty consistent, you won’t have to do much of anything after a few weeks. The system will pick up on your habits, anticipating when you walk through the door, and which room you’ll be walking into.
Whether you’re leaving the house or on your way home, you want your energy consumption to reflect the difference. A big part of the convenience factor is not having to think about your thermostat in your comings and goings.
Maybe you just left for a few days and forgot to adjust the air conditioning or heating system. The mobile app lets you go about your life without the stress of needing to remember (or forgetting) to fiddle with the thermostat on a regular basis.
Savings
Of course, many people don’t give it that much thought, only turning the thermostat when the room gets too warm or too cold. Part of the convenience of a smart thermostat is how easy it makes saving money on your energy bill.
It can be difficult to maintain good thermostat habits, especially if it involves constantly making manual adjustments multiple times a day. With a smart thermostat, you can easily plug in an energy-saving routine without sacrificing comfort. Here’s a video from energy.gov with some helpful advice on energy-efficient settings.
A smart thermostat can save energy and significantly cut down your electricity bill. With proper use, it won’t take long to pay for itself.
Is a Smart Thermostat Worth It?
So, if you install a smart thermostat, you can enjoy greater convenience, save energy, and save money. What’s the downside? Basically, there isn’t one. However, there are some factors to consider that will help determine how quickly you’ll see a return on that investment.
HVAC Condition
The condition of your HVAC system is a big factor. Is it well-maintained and working efficiently? If not, a smart thermostat isn’t going to have the same impact.
Local Climate
If you live somewhere with hot summers and cold winters, a smart thermostat is a wise investment. Otherwise, you’d still benefit from greater energy efficiency, but the savings won’t be as drastic.
Energy Usage Habits
It’s all about the way you use your thermostat. A smart thermostat makes it much easier to save money and energy. That can only happen if you take advantage of the programmable settings, though. If you install a smart thermostat and continue to use it as always, it may not be worth the expense.
On the other hand, if you’re already hyper-conscious of your thermostat use, you won’t see the same savings. You will enjoy the convenience, though.
Cool Off, Save Energy, and Save Money
Is a smart thermostat worth it? If you live in South Jersey, you know what kind of seasonal weather you’re dealing with. A smart thermostat gives you the opportunity to cool off as efficiently as possible, keeping your home comfortable and cost-effective. Reach out to Laury Heating Cooling & Plumbing to learn more!
