After installing a smart thermostat, I remember the satisfaction I gained from being able to control my home’s temperature through a simple app on my phone. There was no more forgetting to adjust the air before leaving my house or heading to bed.
Smart thermostats are not only about convenience, but they’re also packed with features that make your home smarter and more efficient. They track your energy use, create schedules, and even learn your habits over time to automatically adjust your home’s temperature. While they cost more than normal thermostats, their added comfort and energy savings make them a worthwhile upgrade.
This article will outline everything you need to know before buying a smart thermostat for your home. After you buy one, Home Gnome can connect you with an HVAC expert for worry-free installation.
What Are Smart Thermostats?
A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that brings your HVAC system into the digital age by connecting to the internet and giving you the power to control it remotely. In addition, they learn your desired temperatures over time, adapting to provide the most comfortable heating and cooling for your specific environment.
These gadgets are compatible with smart home devices and can be controlled remotely via a tablet or smartphone app. They also help homeowners use less energy and save on electricity bills.
How Do Smart Thermostats Work?
Smart thermostats have three main components that work together to provide you with comfort and convenience.
1. HVAC System Connection
This part is the bridge between your HVAC system and the wall thermostat. It plugs directly into your heating and cooling system and sends signals to control the temperature.
2. Wall Thermostat
This is the brain of the operation. It’s the wall-mounted unit that includes the display and sensors that detect temperature, humidity, and whether people are home. This component communicates with both your HVAC system and the app.
3. Smart Thermostat App
Your smart thermostat has a corresponding app you can download to a phone or tablet. There, you can view your unit’s energy efficiency, maintenance reminders, preferred temperatures, and schedule heating or cooling cycles.
Read More: Learn the 7 Signs Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning.
Smart Thermostat Features
Smart thermostats are more than just temperature controllers. They are designed to make your home more comfortable, efficient, and convenient. Let’s look at some of their key features.
Custom Schedule
You can set daily or weekly schedules to match your lifestyle. For instance, I like my home cooler at night while I sleep and warmer when I wake in the mornings. With the app, I can set my schedule and never forget to turn the air down before climbing into bed again.
Geofencing
When I am a certain distance from home, the thermostat automatically turns down the heat or air. Then, when I am on my way back, it recognizes my location and adjusts the temperature so that I walk into a perfectly comfortable house.
Maintenance Reminders
Your smart thermostat’s app will send alerts when it’s time to replace your air filters and when it’s time to schedule your annual preventative maintenance visit, which ensures maximum energy efficiency.
Read More: Learn How to Maintain Your HVAC System.
Ability to Learn
One of my favorite features is how the thermostat learns my routine. Over time, automatically adjusts the temperature based on where I’m usually at within my home.
Weather Aware
Some models can monitor up-to-the-minute local weather. During heatwaves or sudden cold fronts, my thermostat automatically adjusts itself.
Voice Control
The first time I told Alexa to turn the heat up, I felt pretty cool. Smart thermostats work with smart home assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, making it easy to tweak the temperature without leaving the comfort of your recliner.
Motion Sensors
Thanks to motion sensors, my thermostat knows exactly where I am within my house. If I leave my bedroom to spend hours in my home office, it automatically adjusts the temperature in each room to save energy without sacrificing comfort.
Energy Saver
I love checking the app to see how much energy I save compared to a regular thermostat. It offers tips to improve energy efficiency, which has helped lower my utility bills. Smart thermostats work to decrease energy consumption through automation and algorithms that learn to anticipate when you’ll be home or when you’ll be away.
My Tip: You may qualify for a rebate when you upgrade to a smart thermostat. Check with your local energy company to see which ones are available.
Smart Home Integration
If you already have smart devices or are planning to set up a smart home, a smart thermostat is a great addition. I use mine with my smart lights and security system to make life easier.
For example, my thermostat automatically warms the house while my bedroom lights slowly brighten to help me wake up. At night, it’s part of my bedtime routine: the temperature lowers for sleeping, and the security system arms itself, all without me having to lift a finger.
Cost of Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats usually cost between $140 and $310, and if you go with professional installation, that can add another $150 to $500.
While that’s more than a basic manual thermostat (as low as $40) or even a programmable one (starting around $60), I think the potential energy savings are worth it. Over time, those savings can help balance out the initial cost, making a smart thermostat a smart investment for your home.
Is a Smart Thermostat Right for You?
Before switching to a smart thermostat, consider a few key aspects. Weigh these considerations to determine if a smart thermostat aligns with your lifestyle.
- Ensure you are comfortable with Wi-Fi technology and using a smart device, as these thermostats rely on these components for their functionality.
- Smart thermostats excel at automated comfort and energy savings. However, if you already have a basic programmable thermostat that works well for your routine, the extra energy savings might not be huge.
- If your house is like mine, with kids running around and people constantly coming and going, adjusting the thermostat was an afterthought. However, a smart thermostat adjusts automatically, which makes it a great option for busy households.
- If your HVAC system lacks a C-wire, a wire that provides constant power to your thermostat, make sure you choose a compatible model. An HVAC professional can also install a C-wire for you, preparing your system for any smart thermostat.
Read More: Want to learn more about these gadgets? Read our guide: Are Smart Thermostats Worth It? Pros and Cons.
Find an HVAC Pro Near You
A smart thermostat is more than just a gadget, it’s a way to make your life easier. As a parent with small kids, it simplified my life by taking one more thing off my plate. I no longer had to worry about adjusting the thermostat, while also wrangling kids when heading out the door.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled handymen and handywomen in seconds and leave the rest to us.
Main Image Credit: tab62 / Adobe Stock Free / License
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