Smart Savings on Heating System Thermostats

You’ve probably heard about “smart” thermostats before (like the Nest). They’re programmable to save energy and money on a home’s heating system and allow you to control the climate. But perhaps you’re confused about what make a smart thermostat so smart. And maybe you’re wondering what the difference is between a programmable thermostat and a “smart” thermostat?

Understanding Smart Thermostats

Regular thermostats let you adjust the temperature in your home—it’s just a control panel for your heating and air conditioning system. Programmable thermostats let you set the temperature and have the thermostat change it based on the time of day. What makes most smart thermostats so “smart” is that they learn from your behaviors, allow you to control the climate in your home remotely, show you energy consumption in real-time, and can even adjust themselves based on ambient conditions like humidity.

Home owners can schedule temperatures that correspond with when they are sleeping, about to wake up, away from the home at work or on a vacation…all of which can also be adjusted from a remote location. Wondering how?

How does a Smart Thermostat Work?

Digital, internet thermostats contain sensors which control the heating and cooling systems within a house, apartment or business. They work in conjunction with your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to monitor and adjust your home’s heat and air conditioning settings.

A Smart Thermostat is connected to the Internet through an IP network (Internet Protocol). This IP connection allows residents to use a computer, smartphone, or any web connection to send instructions to their thermostat such as simply turning it on/off or changing scheduled programming. Some even include other home automation packages such as home security or the ability to automate appliances, entertainment centers and lighting.

Big Savings with Smart Thermostats

Save on your home electric bill and regulate your home’s comfort level with ease in one shot! The EPA’s Energy Star program concluded that homes with programmable or smart thermostats can save up to $180 per year on heating and cooling. Wi-Fi smart thermostats have intuitive features that allow you to control from just about anywhere. With a simple set up and responsive temperature timing, these advanced heating and cooling controls are convenient and cost savings.

Set it then forget it. Check out our recent post, “Are You Using Your Thermostat Efficiently?” for more great tips to help you shave up to 15% off your energy bill! For example, by lowering the temperature on your thermostat by 10-15 degrees for 8 hours, you can save 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill. (For every degree you set the thermostat above 80 degrees, you can save approximately 2-3% on cooling costs).

Schedule HVAC Maintenance with Lawes

Installing a WiFi-enabled thermostat in your home can help reduce your energy consumption on your home’s heating and cooling system and lower your energy bills. Maximize savings by scheduling regular HVAC maintenance to maintain your unit’s efficiency. Discover just how much you can save by calling Lawes Home Comfort Specialists.