The Homeowner’s Guide to Smart Thermostat Installation and Energy Savings

Homeowners who are seeking to reduce energy and lower utility bills are succeeding through smart thermostat installation. How successful? Savings range from 10% to 26%: for a $300/month utility bill, that means saving at least $360 per year. For most homeowners, a smart thermostat installation is worth looking into.

If you do not know the difference between a thermostat and a thermocouple, here is a quick explanation. Thermostats are the ON/OFF switch for the air conditioner and furnace. Sensors detect changes in temperature and call for heat or cooling when the temperature varies from the temperature setting. There are three types of thermostats:

• Analog thermostats are older and use physical sensors to detect temperature changes
• Programmable thermostats are assisted by a minicomputer. The computer allows the homeowner to automate setting changes to accommodate the family’s schedule
• Smart thermostats take the automation a few steps further. These steps improve the chances of lowering energy consumption and lowering utility bills. Smart thermostats are Wi-fi enabled, with software that connects the thermostat to the utility company and any mobile device selected by the homeowner. This includes cellphones, tablets, computers, and voice assistants, such as Alexa dot.

What advantages does a smart thermostat installation offer?

1. Smart thermostats use adaptive learning to improve programmed temperature changes. If the whole family leaves by 8 am, the Smart thermostat can schedule an appropriate temperature change to reduce energy use. If the family returns by 4 pm, a 30-minute buffer can be scheduled to prepare for the family’s arrival. These changes can be made with minimal instructions.
2. Should the family’s plans change suddenly and bring family members home unexpectedly, settings can be changed on the fly remotely by using the cellphone application.
3. A smart thermostat can also assist with maintenance scheduling: HVAC systems require annual maintenance to ensure they run efficiently. It can sense fluctuations in energy use that indicate wear and growing inefficiency. This will prompt an alert message to the homeowner to call for repair.
4. Homes with clusters of smart devices can appreciate the interconnectivity that a smart thermostat affords. If the home’s blinds and ceiling fans are automated and connected to a voice assistant, the thermostat can detect slight temperature changes and call for blinds to be opened or closed, or the ceiling fan to turn in the proper direction.
5. Connection with the utility company can assist a homeowner with other decisions that reduce energy use. For instance, energy costs are based on supply and demand. During normal business hours, the demand for energy is highest, and therefore, the costs are highest for daytime energy consumption. Evening and overnight energy consumption is lowest and is therefore the cheapest. A homeowner armed with this information can schedule high-energy tasks, such as washing dishes or drying clothes, for evening times for extra savings.

Smart Thermostat Installation Can Qualify You for Utility Incentives

Utility companies recognize the energy savings when homeowners use a smart thermostat well and offer significant incentives for their use. Why would a company that sells electricity work to reduce the use of electricity?

• Utility companies must prepare for peak energy use: the hour(s) of the year when more energy is used than any other hour.
• When peak energy requires more production, a new generator plant must be built to handle peak energy. This is an expensive investment, and since it is only needed for peak need, it sits idle for most of the year.
• Saving energy benefits the homeowner, but it also benefits the utility company.

Upgrade Your Home’s Efficiency with a Smart Thermostat Installation Today

Taking control of your home’s energy consumption has never been easier or more rewarding. By upgrading to modern technology, you can enjoy automated comfort while significantly reducing your monthly utility expenses and qualifying for local incentives. Our expert team is ready to help you select and set up the perfect device to match your family’s unique schedule and needs. Call Northwind Air Conditioning and Heating today to schedule your smart thermostat installation and start saving on your energy bills immediately.