Would I Benefit From a Smart Thermostat?

A smart thermostat provides advanced thermostat control. Those features, at a minimum, include scheduling and Wi-Fi capabilities. The Department of Energy recommends programmable thermostats to all U.S. homes for big energy savings. Let’s explore how you can reduce energy consumption and other ways you can benefit from a smart thermostat.

Automatic Temperature Adjustment

The average household without a programmable or smart thermostat uses energy and spends money unnecessarily. If you have a fixed temperature setting, consider all the energy wasted while sleeping or outside the home for extended periods. The DOE estimates that you can save up to 10% on heating and cooling annually through automatic temperature adjustment. This is why it recommends a basic programmable thermostat for all homes.

Scheduling

To achieve the DOE estimate, adjust your normal setting by 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Do this for at least eight hours daily, which is why the DOE estimate is conservative. Many households can achieve 12 hours of savings or more. You could, for instance, program your thermostat to adjust the temperature an hour before bedtime and an hour before you wake. Likewise, set it to adjust after you leave for work and before you return home.

Profiles and Modes

Having one set schedule throughout the year won’t be practical for many households. This is where profiles are useful. A profile encapsulates one or more schedules and will activate based on certain criteria. Some households will have a profile for weekdays and weekends. You can have a profile for each day of the week and the different seasons.

Modes change the behaviors of a smart thermostat. Most models have a heat, cool, and auto mode for heating and cooling. They’ll also have auto and on modes for the fan. A hold mode is a ubiquitous feature that can override schedules and profiles. Many modern thermostats also have a vacation mode. It simplifies setting the system for energy efficiency and overriding other settings while you’re away for an extended period.

Geofencing

Traditional thermostat scheduling isn’t practical for all families. If you have a large family that comes and goes at different times, schedules may not be ideal. Geofencing is a feature you can use instead of or as a complement to scheduling. Thermostats that support this feature create a virtual boundary around the home. They also use technology like GPS or RFID to know whether family members are inside or outside the boundary. When there’s someone inside, the thermostat will use a setting for comfort. Otherwise, it will use a setting for energy savings.

Zone Control

A traditional central HVAC system has one zone, which is the entire home. HVAC zoning is a technique through which you break a home up into separate zones. You can then heat and cool those zones independently. The DOE estimates that zoning can reduce energy usage by up to 30%. Zoned systems are more complex, and smart thermostats are one of the upgrades that make them possible.

Occupancy Sensing

Many smart thermostats that support zoning feature occupancy sensing. This is similar to geofencing but functions at a more granular level. Your system can reduce energy consumption in entire zones of your home when no one is using them.

Personalized Profiles

Often, thermostats with zoning allow personal profiles along with priorities. Using technologies like RFID and GPS, the system can adjust settings based on who is in the zone.

Remote Sensors

Traditional thermostats for the home have an integrated temperature sensor. That requires centrally locating the thermostat and avoiding direct sunlight. Otherwise, you’ll get incorrect temperature readings, which will cause inefficiency. Many smart thermostats now support remote sensors. That lets you have multiple temperature sensors throughout your home. Having more than one sensor provides you with more accurate readings. Remote sensors let you position your thermostat wherever it’s most convenient. Also, you’re not limited to temperature sensors. You can add sensors for:

• Smoke
• Relative humidity
• Indoor air quality
• Carbon monoxide

Energy Monitoring and Insights

Traditionally, monitoring your energy usage requires tracking your bills month to month and year to year. Energy monitoring is a popular smart thermostat feature that eliminates that need. Your system will track the usage of electricity and fuel automatically. It can alert you to spikes in hours or days rather than weeks or months. These systems can also provide insights through analysis and reports. Identify household behaviors that you can change to save even more.

Time-of-Use Savings

Many utility companies that provide electricity and natural gas have different rates based on the time of day. During periods of high demand, you may be paying a premium. A thermostat that provides time-of-using savings has rate awareness. Often, these thermostats can pull that data automatically via the internet. You can then set your thermostat to adjust during those periods. Even adjusting your settings several degrees can make a big difference in your costs.

Demand Response Programs

Many local utilities have opt-in demand response programs. The concept is similar to time-of-use savings. The difference is that the utility can adjust your thermostat by up to several degrees automatically. In return, the customer receives benefits, such as energy credits. To participate, you must have a smart thermostat on your utility’s approved list. If applicable, you can find that list on your utility’s website.

ENERGY STAR

The Environmental Protection Agency awards ENERGY STAR certification to thermostats and other consumer products that achieve high standards. By choosing an ENERGY STAR thermostat, you have confidence that your purchase can help you lower energy consumption.

Rebates

There may be rebates available that can help you offset some or all of your initial investment in a new thermostat. Those rebates usually require the ENERGY STAR label. To find rebates in your area, search the ENERGY STAR website by zip code. It’s also a good idea to contact your utility company to learn about other local offers.

Machine Learning

Many modern smart thermostats can collect data, analyze it, and learn from it. There are even thermostats that can program themselves within the first several days of use. Machine learning also lets a thermostat automatically update your schedules over time.

Predictive Maintenance

Machine learning can allow a thermostat to track the performance of HVAC equipment. It will then have a baseline and know when performance is outside normal parameters. The thermostat can alert you to schedule a preventative checkup.

Cloud Computing

Thermostats with machine learning often have cloud computing as well. That means that onboard computing power doesn’t limit your thermostat. It can upload data to the cloud, where a more powerful computer can crunch the numbers.

Install a Smart Thermostat in Richardson, TX

Cool Experts AC installs, maintains, repairs, programs, and calibrates programmable and smart thermostats in Richardson, TX and throughout the surrounding areas. Our HVAC technicians also specialize in residential and commercial air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, hybrid heating configurations, and ductless mini-splits. We clean ductwork, insulate attics, and install and service whole-home air purification systems to improve your indoor air quality. Our company also offers a maintenance plan to keep your equipment serviced on time while saving you money in the process. If you have questions or want to schedule a service appointment or on-site consultation, contact us today.