Over the last decade, smart thermostats gained popularity and are now standard in most homes. But if you do have a smart thermostat, are you maximizing the energy-saving capabilities? If you’re just treating it as a standard thermostat, you’re really missing out.
A thermostat is considered smart if it can connect to WiFi. If you don’t already have a WiFi-enabled thermostat, smart thermostat installation in Maple Grove, MN should be on your to-do list. Using a smart thermostat to program your heating and cooling can save you a lot of money with very little effort.
Save on Energy
We’re talking about energy savings, but those savings also translate into saving money every month by spending less on your energy bills. Your heater and your home can benefit from a smart thermostat whether it is electric or gas-powered. The EPA estimates that if you have an Energy Star thermostat you can save around 8% on your energy bills each year.
What makes a smart thermostat so different from a standard thermostat that doesn’t connect to WiFi? To put it simply, a smart thermostat automates your heating and cooling so that you can save money. Experts recommend that you turn your heater down if you plan to be away from home so that you’re not paying to heat empty rooms.
Changing your thermostat settings before you leave for the day can be difficult to remember when you already have a lot on your mind. Forgetting to turn the temperature down can lead to higher energy bills than are necessary since you’re heating an empty home. A smart thermostat automates the changing of temperatures so you can establish a heating and cooling schedule in advance. Consider it a ‘set it and forget it’ solution.
Taking it a Step Further
Your smart thermostat can do more than follow simple instructions, though. It can also identify when you’re home and when you’re away. This can sound a little creepy to some homeowners, but it really isn’t. Your smart thermostat can determine your movements in a couple of different ways. Motion sensors can detect when no one is home, or your smart thermostat can determine when you’re away by triangulating your phone’s GPS.
When your smart thermostat identifies that your home is empty, it can lower the temperature in your home. When you come back home, the heat turns back on. Over time, your smart thermostat establishes patterns in your life. For example, if you work from 7 to 4, Tuesday through Saturday, your thermostat will automatically begin to turn down the heat between those hours.
When your schedule is different than usual, you can use an app on your phone to adjust the thermostat settings manually. You can also preprogram changes if you plan to be out of town for a few days or longer so your heater isn’t on during that time period. Ideally, you want to employ a mix of these three solutions to maximize your heater’s energy efficiency.
And the savings add up quickly. If you lower the temperature in your home by just 7° to 10° F while you’re away, you can expect to save 10% on your energy bill each month. If you want to save even more you can set the thermostat to lower the temperature a little while you sleep for additional savings.
Contact Comfort Matters Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. With you through THE HIGHS & LOWS!