With the 21st Century comes plenty of new gadgets and tech on the market begging for your attention. One that may have caught your eye is a “smart” thermostat. They look pretty enough, but what exactly do they do? What makes them different from any other thermostat? And are they worth the price tag that comes with them?
Thermostats are just one of the many services our techs at AC Repair Las Vegas offer, so we think you should also be educated on the topic. That way, you can make a smart decision (no pun intended) when it comes to your home, and we’ll take care of the technical aspects.
What is all the Hype? What do they do?
There are two main styles of smart thermostats, with many falling into both categories. They are Self Learning and Remotely Controlled. Remotely Controlled thermostats generally have an app that accompanies them that allows you to program them. You can set the thermostat up so that it switches to different temperatures based on the time of day. So, for example, while you’re at work it’ll automatically increase the temperature and then cool it down in time for you to get home.
The Self Learning thermostats adjust their settings automatically to fit your use patterns. It takes a while for it to pick up on your habits, but, once it does, it will raise and lower the temperature based on your living style. If you tend to raise the settings up five degrees early sunday morning, the thermostat will learn to do it for you!
As stated previously, many models will actually fall into both categories. Which means you can control it to fit your needs exactly, and the thermostat will also learn your most common habits. In essence, smart thermostats are simply fancy ways to set the temperature in your house, but in the next section you’ll see why this is a big deal.
Do smart Thermostats save me money?
Smart thermostats are a hefty investment for some, with many of the popular systems starting at $250. But, if you plan on staying in your house for years, the thermostat will pay for itself many times over. How exactly?
Your thermostat learns when the house doesn’t need to be cooled fully. If you’re out at work, or away every tuesday, your house can be set slightly warmer. And that means less your AC system is being used and less money you’re spending.
But, what if you do that anyway? What if you are one of the diligent homeowners who always sets the thermostat up on your way out the door? The app or desktop program for your smart thermostat will generally include graphs and charts, so you can finetune your AC experience. Iits lifespan.
It may take a while, but you can easily save over one hundred dollars a year. That adds up and means more money in your pocket.
So should I make the switch?
That’s a question only you can answer. But here are some basic ways to think about if the switch is the best for you.
- Will you be staying at this place of residence for a while? If not, can you take your smart thermostat with you? You should own your thermostat for at least five years to make the switch worth the initial investment.
- Do you already turn up the thermostat when you leave the house? You may not save quite as much with a smart thermostat if you do, but it’ll be easier to control it with your phone and see the data afterwards to make even smarter AC decisions.
- Are you willing to make a change? If you’re not used to changing the thermostat as you come and go, it will take some adjusting to make it a part of your daily routine. If you’re not open to an extra, minor step, then don’t bother with the switch.
All in all, it’s a minor investment compared to some other home improvements you may make. And it has the ability to save you money every single year if you use it to the fullest extent. The choice is yours, but whatever you choose, be sure to have a professional, like our techs here at AC Repair Las Vegas, install your smart thermostat for you. You’ll save time and hassle and minimize any chances for installing it incorrectly.
If you found this article interesting or helpful, share it with your friends to spread the knowledge. And comment below to share your experience with smart thermostats and why you made the switch!