Is it Time to Upgrade Your Thermostat?
Why a Smart Thermostat Is Essential for Efficient Home Heating
Your thermostat is an integral part of your heating and cooling system. It not only helps you control the temperature in your home, but it’s also key to keeping heating and cooling costs manageable. If you’re still controlling the temperature in your home with an old manual-style thermostat, you’re probably paying more to heat or cool your home. And the savings and efficiency you’ll achieve by updating your thermostat is worth overcoming any anxiety about technology.
If you still have the classic, mechanical type of thermostat, you can upgrade to a programmable thermostat and reap a lot of benefits—both in comfort and in savings. Smart thermostats take the savings, comfort and convenience to the next level.
Programable Vs. Smart Thermostats
Programable thermostats are a basic upgrade—think of it as the flip-phone in the evolution of the thermostat. They use a timer to let you set different temperatures on a daily or weekly schedule. If you’re schedule doesn’t change much, or you’re willing to keep up with the task of programming, these units can automatically adjust your thermostat to help you save money on heating and cooling costs.
Smart thermostats, like smart phones, are an exponential leap in convenience. These units are designed to learn your heating and cooling habits, creating a schedule that matches your lifestyle, without adding to your to-do list. Smart thermostats will connect with home automation systems like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, so you all you have to do is ask to turn up the heat.
Smart thermostats—Nest and Ecobee are popular brands—can cost a bit more than a basic programable version. But they can be a great investment, offering significant savings when used properly. Your energy supplier may offer rebates on smart thermostats that can help you save up front, too.
Here’s what make smart thermostats the smart choice
Smart Meters Help You Save Money
Reducing energy use is the best way to combat high heating and cooling bills. By “teaching” a smart thermostat to lower the heat when you leave the house and turn it back up in time to make the house comfortable by the time you to get home, you may be able to cut your heating and cooling costs by 10%, according to the United States Department of Energy. The savings you’ll enjoy will quickly offset the cost.
Wireless connectivity lets you check your thermostat settings and your home’s temperature from anywhere, using an app on your phone or tablet. Forgot to turn on the vacation setting for your central air conditioning? No problem—use your phone to do it while waiting in the security line at the airport.
Smarter Comfort
Old manual thermostats can vary by as much as five degrees between the temperature you select and the temperature of the air in your home. That makes a big difference not only in comfort, but in energy costs, as each degree difference can raise your heating or cooling costs by up to 2%. Smart thermostats are much more precise, with only a half-degree difference. The temperature you set is the temperature you get.
Smart Thermostats Protect Your Equipment
Constantly running your heat or air conditioning, or manually making extreme temperature adjustments, like you might when you come home to a very hot or cold house, makes your equipment work harder and stresses your HVAC system. Over time, this can lead to more frequent breakdowns and ultimately shorten its lifespan. By using your smart thermostat to change your heat or air conditioning automatically on a schedule, it will adjust gradually, taking pressure off your HVAC system and helping it last longer.
Ready for Savings?
The courteous and knowledgeable pros at Casey Energy can answer all your questions about your heating and cooling equipment options to make your home more comfortable and more efficient, no matter your budget. We offer expert installation and service backed by more than 65 years of experience serving homes in Fairfield and Westchester counties.
Contact us for more information today.