Trend Watch How Smart Is It To Get a Smart Thermostat?
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Some devices are just game changers. The DVR, for example, changed the way we watch TV. Some may shudder at the thought, but there was a time when, if you missed a show, you missed it. This probably explains all the tense looks in many photos from the 1970s and 1980s. Bottom line: The DVR changed our everyday lives. And, since then, we’ve waited for an invention to top it.
A recent study at Nest revealed that most households save 10–12% on heating and around 15% on cooling.
Until now.
The right smart thermostat can be a game changer for many reasons. First and foremost, it will change your bank account for the better. Here are five ways you can take advantage of a smart thermostat and the awesomeness it provides.
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01.It will pay for itself.
Recent studies have shown that adjusting your thermostat 7o to 10o from its standard settings while you’re away can save you 10% annually on your heating and cooling costs. Great news if you want to constantly tweak your thermostat based on your coming and going to save every kilowatt. Yeah, we don’t want to do that either—but smart thermostats do. And that’s where you get your savings.
02.You won’t lift a finger.
That’s not exactly true. You will need to lift a finger, on your smartphone. With a swipe or two, you can adjust your thermostat from anywhere. And yes, anywhere includes your couch. Some thermostats even have sensors that detect movement and adjust the temperature when your home is empty.
03.You can track your spending.
Most smart thermostats allow you to track the amount you spend on energy. This can help you see how much you’re saving and even help you create a more efficient energy usage plan. This sort of knowledge is vital when planning an annual budget or preparing for high-usage months. You can also use the data to justify a vacation. Look how much money you saved from your reduced energy costs the week you were away.
A smart thermostat will pay for itself in as little as two years.
04.You won’t need to do any scheduling.
Most learning thermostats do just that—track your patterns, learn your preferences and predict when you’re home and when you’re not. They can even monitor the weather to heat your home more when a cold snap is coming or cool it more when a heatwave is setting in.
Now, you might say, “That seems excessive. I can program a thermostat on my own, thank you very much.” This may be true, but you’d be the exception. A recent study revealed that only 42% of the respondents had a programmable thermostat, and of those, a whopping 67% said they didn’t know how to program their device. So, why not lean on technology and let it take one thing off your plate?
05.You can probably install it yourself.
Sure, there are professionals who can install more complicated smart thermostats for more complicated HVAC systems, but chances are your needs can be met by a simple install. Finding out is pretty easy. By popping off your current thermostat cover, you can find the marked wires required to connect your new thermostat. Just make sure the device you are buying is compatible with your specific HVAC system. This is a booming industry that started with a few niche companies, but the larger manufacturers you’re sure to recognize have jumped into the game, so you should be able to find the right match.
That being said, if you immediately got uncomfortable when you read the phrase, “popping off your current thermostat cover,” get a pro involved. They have reasonable prices, and you’ll quickly get to recouping your investment without the headache.
So, there you have it. It’s not everything you need to know to get this money-saving device, but it’s enough for you to get started. So, do just that. Get started and get saving.
Need One?
Save up to $100 on select ENERGY STAR® certified models. Learn more at BGESmartEnergy.com/Thermostat22.
