Keeping your Rapid City residence comfy can consume a good amount of money. The average homeowner spends about $172 on monthly heating and cooling costs, according to ENERGY STAR®, or around $2,060 yearly. At least half of that is for heating and cooling.
The majority of homes rely on programmable thermostats, but many people don’t bother to use them properly. The process is time-consuming, detailed and only offers you a few options for temperature changes. When your home is kept at the same temp throughout the day, it requires energy and adversely impacts your monthly costs.
Smart thermostats learn from your routine and change the temperatures to coordinate it. But can using one really help you spend less money on heating and cooling? Yes, and here’s why.
Studies Show Smart Thermostats Save on Utility Expenses
Independent studies have determined these devices can result in 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 average savings of $131 to $145 annually.
With the typical 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 as they’re ENERGY STAR® certified.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
After your smart thermostat is ready to go, you’ll at first program it just like your old thermostat. You’ll set it up and down, so the thermostat can learn about your needs. Then, it will get to work making a program that helps you spend less money, whether you’re at your house or gone. Because it geofences with your smartphone, you won’t have to put it on your list to adjust it when you go or come back.
Pros and Cons of Using a Smart Thermostat
Pros
As we mentioned before, smart thermostats give lots of perks to your house and utility costs, like:
- No need to set—Your smart thermostat will learn your activities, so you don’t have to waste time setting programs or remember to adjust it.
- Knows when you come and take off—Since many smart thermostats geofence with your phone, your home will go into an energy-efficient setting when you go and be cozy when you get back.
- Remote temperature supervision—You’ll be able to watch your home’s settings from virtually anywhere, on account of an app on your phone.
- Watch heating and cooling use—The majority of smart thermostats give detailed data through their app, including how long you required heating and cooling on a certain day.
- Reminders—Select smart thermostats will remind you of important maintenance tasks, like when you need to put in a new air filter.
- Additional savings—The majority of local energy companies provide rebates for smart thermostats, so call with yours for details.
Cons
However, there’s several areas you should contemplate regarding getting a smart thermostat in your residence:
- Compatibility—Subject to the type and age of your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might not be compatible. If you’re unsure, it’s best to ask an HVAC pro like Street Heating and Cooling. We also advise 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 include a common wire, which creates compatibility issues with a smart thermostat. This wire runs your thermostat, so if your residence doesn’t have a C-wire, we can install one.
- Housing situation—If you own your residence and want to live there for a long time, it’s a good investment to install a smart thermostat. If you’re thinking about moving soon or rent, we advise waiting unless you plan to take the thermostat with you. If you rent, you’ll typically need to secure your landlord’s permission first ahead of getting a new thermostat.
- Cost—Smart thermostats cost more than programmable thermostats, and we suggest 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 frequently at the house? If that’s your situation, you might not see as big of savings, but you’ll have the benefits of not having to program or adjust a thermostat.
Rely on Street Heating and Cooling for Your Smart Thermostat Needs
At Street Heating and Cooling, our top purpose is to keep your residence pleasant while helping you spend less energy costs. If you’re wanting to install a smart thermostat, our pros can help, from choosing the best model to expert installation. Contact us at 605-206-3915 today to learn more.