As we move more into the age of smart technology, homeowners are looking for innovative ways to make their lives easier and more efficient. Smart thermostats are a game-changers for your home, emphasizing convenience and cost savings. Upgrading to a smart thermostat offers significant energy savings (8%–20%), enhanced comfort, and remote control capabilities.
What is a Smart Thermostat?
Smart thermostats allow you to control your thermostat from your smartphone app, tablet or computer. They use Wifi and whether you are just nestled into bed or on vacation, you can adjust your thermostat to the temperature you wish right from your smartphone. You leave to go on vacation and you get to the airport, oh no, you left your thermostat on 72° and your going to be away for 10 days. No worries, open the app on your smartphone and adjust the setting to the temperature you wish. You can also change when you arrive back home so that it will be your comfortable temperature when you arrive home. Being able to control your thermostat remotely can ensure your home is always the perfect temperature when you arrive home. You can also set your thermostat with the schedule feature so when you return home you walk into a comfortable temperature without wasting energy. These devices utilize Wi-Fi for smartphone management, learning habits for automated scheduling, and geofencing for efficiency.
How does this save you money?
The extreme swings between bitter cold and heat and humidity in Minnesota can stress your HVAC system. Here is where the Smart thermostats can be crutial from saving you wear on your HVAC equipment plus lower your utility bills.
Another feature of the Smart thermostat is setting the reminder to change the furnace filter. Remembering to replace the filter on your HVAC system may be the last thing on your mind. Dirty furnace filters can lead to serious problems ranging from inefficient operation to system breakdown. When furnace filters are not changed on a regular basis you may be paying more than necessary for heating and cooling,or you have HVAC repairs that ciould have been avoided costing you additional monies you weren’t planning for. With timely reminders on the thermostat screen and in the app, you change the filter when it’s needed.
In addition, the smart thermostat will alert you that it’s time for professional maintenance. Regular HVAC maintenance at the start of each heating or cooling season can help your system operate smoothly and efficiently.
In addition, at these regular service visits, HVAC technicians have the opportunity to catch problems while they’re still small and before they become big and expensive problems.
How much does thermostat replacement cost?
The cost can range from approximately $100 to $900 depending on the thermostat you are wanting and who is going to do the installation. We personally recommend the Honeywell ElitePro S1200 Smart Thermostat that also features monitoring indoor humidity, VOC, and estimated CO₂. The app is easy to operate and make this well worth the investiment.
Is your HVAC system compatible?
Most systems will work with your HVAC system, but there are notable exceptions.
- Older gas/oil systems
- High-voltage (line voltage) baseboard heaters
- Zoned systems or multi-stage setups
Always be sure to check with your HVAC Technician to ensure a Smart Thermostat is an option.
