Will a Smart Thermostat Save Me Money on Heating and Cooling Expenses?

Keeping your Abilene home comfy can eat up a lot of money. The usual household spends about $172 on monthly energy bills, according to ENERGY STAR^®, or approximately $2,060 yearly. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.

Many residences rely on programmable thermostats, but most people don’t take the time to use them properly. The process is annoying, complicated and only provides you a couple of options for temperature changes. When your home is kept at an unchanging temp throughout the day, it requires energy and adversely affects your monthly bill.

Smart thermostats adjust to your schedule and adjust the settings to match it. But can getting one really save you money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.

Studies Show Smart Thermostats Decrease on Heating and Cooling Bills

Independent studies have determined these devices can produce large 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, producing 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 the majority of local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats since they’re ENERGY STAR^® certified.

How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?

After your smart thermostat is installed, you’ll first use it just like any other thermostat. You’ll switch it up and down, so the thermostat can determine your wants. Then, it will get to work developing a program that helps you save money, whether you’re at your residence or gone. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to put it on your list to adjust it when you leave or come back.

Pros and Cons of Having a Smart Thermostat

Pros

As we mentioned before, smart thermostats provide many benefits to your home and utility bill, like:

No need to program—Your smart thermostat will learn your activities, so you don’t have to waste time setting programs or remember to change.
Knows when you get home and leave—As lots of smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your residence will go into an energy-efficient setting when you leave and be comfortable when you arrive.
Remote temperature management—You’ll be able to see your home’s temperature from virtually anywhere, due to an app on your phone.
Watch heating and cooling use—The majority of smart thermostats offer valuable data through their app, including how long you required heating and cooling on a specific day.
Reminders—Some smart thermostats will alert you to critical maintenance tasks, such as when you need to get a new air filter.
Added savings—Many local energy companies offer rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for details.

Cons

However, there’s a couple of points you should take into account regarding 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 be compatible. If you’re not sure, it’s recommended to ask an HVAC professional like Abilene Air-Tech Inc. We also recommend having it professionally installed. This confirms that you have the proper number of wires and that it’s hooked up correctly. Some systems don’t have a common wire, which results in compatibility problems with a smart thermostat. This wire runs your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can put one in.
Housing situation—If you own your home and are planning to live there for many years, it’s a smart investment to install a smart thermostat. If you’re planning to move in the next year or rent, we advise waiting unless you want to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll typically need to secure your landlord’s permission first in advance of installing a new thermostat.
Cost—Smart thermostats are more expensive than programmable thermostats, and we recommend having yours professionally installed. However, the energy savings over the years can help pay for itself.
Lifestyle—Does a family member work from home, or is someone regularly at the house? If so, you might not see as many savings, but you’ll enjoy the convenience of not needing to program or adjust a thermostat.

Trust Abilene Air-Tech Inc for Your Smart Thermostat Needs

At Abilene Air-Tech Inc, our main goal is to keep your house comfortable while helping you save on heating and cooling costs. If you’re considering installing a smart thermostat, our specialists can help, from choosing the best model to expert installation. Call us at (325) 692-5850 today to learn more.