Thermostats are devices we use to control our HVAC systems. We use them to set the desired indoor temperature. They then monitor the indoor environment to measure temperature and adjust the HVAC system accordingly to either increase or reduce its supply of conditioned air into the space to achieve the desired temperature.
Smart thermostats are a step up in this technology that allows for even greater efficiency and a more comprehensive range of features. They can be paired with home automation systems to allow easier access and control of their functions. They can even be connected via the internet, allowing homeowners to adjust their HVAC systems remotely. Using just a smartphone or laptop, homeowners can control their smart thermostats’ ability to program temperature settings.
Some models are also advanced enough to learn the preferred temperature settings from their users and automatically make adjustments in tune with these preferences. Another smart feature could be reminders to perform servicing and maintenance checks. Some can also notify homeowners of energy consumption, providing them with additional information on whether their systems are running efficiently or not.
They can also come equipped with sensors that automatically adjust temperature settings when there are occupants and when there are none. They may also have sensors to detect hot or cold spots in rooms and make suitable adjustments to the HVAC system to correct the difference.
While certainly more expensive than the standard thermostat, smart thermostats offer several key benefits that make this investment worth it.
Save Costs
You may think a smart thermostat would be difficult to use, but it can easily be programmed. You can set it to adjust temperatures closer to outdoor conditions whenever you and your family go out and then regulate it to a lower setting when you are about to come home, arriving at a cozy atmosphere. You can automate this, so you do not need to remember to do it. The thermostat acts as it has been programmed.
It is an improvement on earlier thermostats that needed to be manually adjusted each time, meaning you could easily forget and end up having heated or cooled the home for hours on end for no one. Manufacturers of smart thermostats claim that this functionality can help save on heating and cooling costs.
Remote Control
Being able to remotely access and control your smart thermostat is a huge win for many. On an unexpectedly hot day, you can remotely adjust temperature settings to have the house cooled when you arrive home. If you leave your house in the hands of guests or employees, you can also monitor how they set the thermostat and how it can impact your utility bills.
When you are away, fluctuations in temperature may indicate a technical problem causing a hot or cold spot. It could also mean a door, window, or other parts of the structure have been damaged, letting in hot or cold air. With a smart thermostat, you can figure out where the problem is and take action.
Monitoring Energy Use
As said, some smart thermostats track the amount of energy that HVAC systems use. You can use this information to track your utility bills and notice changes that may indicate a problem with your HVAC system. You can probably also determine what factors may be causing your usage to spike or dip. If you are budget conscious, having this data may help you work out what you can do to reduce your utility costs.
Easy Installation
If you have the requisite electrical knowledge, you may be able to install this thermostat easily. It does not require you to change other hardware as long as you have suitable thermostat wiring of a C wire. Manufacturers do include programming instructions, so it should not take long to get it working once you switch out the old for the new.
