How to Save Money With a Smart Thermostat
It is possible to save money on your electricity bill by using a smart thermostat, which will allow you to make adjustments to the environmental settings in your home, including the cooling and heating settings. Smart thermostats allow you to customize the temperature settings based on the time of day, whether or not there will be people at home, and the time of year. For example, if everyone is at work during the day during the warmer months, it may not be necessary to leave the air conditioning running continuously. A smart thermostat will allow you to make adjustments to the settings during a specified time period when no one will be home, allowing for warmer temperatures in the house and preventing the air conditioner from being turned on and off. When everyone is scheduled to return home, the temperature settings will allow for cooler temperatures automatically.
Some smart thermostats may also include motion detection capabilities as well as the ability to create climate control schedules based on specific times of the week or seasons of the year. They can also be controlled by smartphone applications, which can be used to determine whether or not you are on your way home and whether or not it is time to adjust the thermostat. By using this method of controlling the heating and cooling of a building, you can save money on your heating bills by not having to use your HVAC system as much as you otherwise would. The experts at Use Meade’s Heating and Air: can easily install a new smart thermostat on your existing system, if you wish to go this route. But, realistically, how much money can you save?
Savings on Energy
Obviously, a lot will depend on the size of your home, the nature of your HVAC system and the type of smart thermostat you have, but it’s safe to assume that you can save around 10% on your heating and cooling bills by using an intelligent thermostat, according to some studies into the matter. If you live in a residential home, this can add up to approximately $50 per year on your utility bill, or up to $150 per year on your utility bills overall if you live in a larger building. In a given year, lowering the demands on your thermostat by as much as 7 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day can result in savings of approximately 20% in total energy costs. Naturally, you can accomplish this without a smart thermostat by manually adjusting the temperature when you leave or return home, but a smart thermostat will automate the process for you.
How It Works
By reducing your energy consumption when it isn’t needed, smart thermostats can help you save money on your electricity bill overall, which is good for the environment and good for your wallet. Using specialized software that analyzes arrivals and departures, the thermostat can predict when the building will be occupied and when it will not be occupied, allowing you to know when to turn on your climate controls and when to turn them off. More recent versions of smart thermostats incorporate local weather information into their schedules as well as the schedules of other devices. If it is overcast or raining outside, you will most likely not need to run the air conditioning unit for an extended period of time, for instance.
The majority of smart thermostats are also programmable, though the interface for different models may differ. A smart thermostat with an interface that you are comfortable with as well as the programmable features that you require for your home, is what you should be looking for. The energy-saving mode, which allows you to prioritize electrical consumption over comfort, is highly recommended when purchasing a new thermostat. The HVAC installation experts at Meade’s Heating and Air can help you with this.
It is possible that, if you live in a mild climate, allowing the thermostat to dictate that the HVAC system runs during peak periods in order to reduce electricity rates due to an energy efficiency feature might be desirable.
Best Practices
To get you started, here are a few pointers on how to make the most of your smart thermostat to save money.
Interface
Choose an interface that is simple to use, does not require much of a learning curve, and is simple to program. This device should come equipped with a quick setup guide, a touchscreen, and a number of pre-programmed optimized settings.
Remote Access
Smart thermostats are most convenient if remote access is provided through the use of a mobile application. The ability to control your thermostat from your smartphone via an intuitive app will encourage you to take advantage of the energy-saving features on a more frequent basis. Many of them are Wi-Fi compatible, which means they can be accessed from any location in the world using a mobile device.
Energy Modes
Select a system that allows you to track your energy consumption. You should be able to use your thermostat to monitor the energy consumption of your home, which will provide you with the information you require about frequent patterns and trends in your energy consumption. This could include specifics on how your HVAC system operates when you are at home versus when you are not at home, among other things.
Customizable
It should have the ability to be set according to your personal preferences. Your smart thermostat should be able to meet your needs as well as the needs of your home, and this may include room-specific settings or adaptable timers, among other features. Modern smart thermostats should include a variety of different controls that will assist you in keeping your energy consumption under control. Speak to your Use Meade’s Heating and Air: technician in either Jacksonville or Palm Coast about how to set customized modes for your model of smart thermostat.
Environmental Settings
Select a thermostat that has energy-saving features as well as environmental settings. Some models have features that allow you to optimize your energy consumption so that you have the least amount of impact on your local environment by adjusting the length of time your air conditioner runs or the amount of time your heater runs, which is especially useful if you use natural gas.
Save on Your Electric Bill
A smart thermostat is an excellent investment for the environmentally conscious homeowner who wishes to reduce their energy consumption. These devices allow you to see how much energy you are consuming to heat and cool your home, allowing you to make appropriate adjustments and changes to your heating and cooling routines and patterns of behavior. If you are looking for ways to save money on energy by using a smart thermostat, visit your local retail provider and look at several different models before deciding on the best one for your home and budget.
Independent studies on smart thermostats have shown that, when used properly, they can indeed help you save on your electric bill by controlling the ways your HVAC system is used for the most optimal conditions. There are many advantages, but new owners should also be aware of the ways in which technology can be misused. Some owners of smart thermostats, for example, found that during a power grid crisis not long ago, their smart thermostats were remotely changed by authorities without their permission, setting them several degrees higher to avoid heavy use of air conditioning systems on an already-strained power grid. New owners of smart thermostats should take care of their settings and connectivity, and as with any new technology, practice safe and responsible operation.
Serving the Jacksonville and Palm Coast areas for years, our professionals at Meade’s Heating and Air are well-versed in air conditioner and furnace installation, maintenance and repair. Our expert technicians provide services in air duct cleaning and attic insulation as well as thermostat replacement and troubleshooting of existing systems. Meade’s Heating and Air offers financing on all repairs as well as expert advice for those seeking to upgrade their existing systems. Call Meade’s Heating and Air today to schedule your appointment with a technician to install a smart thermostat in your home.
