Modern smart thermostats offer more than just temperature control for your heating and cooling systems. They come packed with Wi-Fi connectivity, sensors, advanced algorithms, and a host of other features. Discover how these innovations can enhance your homeownership experience and why making the switch to a smart thermostat is a smart choice.

Remote Control From Anywhere

With a smart thermostat, you can conveniently install dedicated apps on your mobile devices. These apps grant you the ability to monitor your thermostat from anywhere with an active data or Wi-Fi connection and adjust the temperature as needed. This Wi-Fi thermostat functionality proves especially valuable when you require temperature adjustments while at work or during your vacation.

Precision and Savings with Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats excel in accuracy and information delivery. By leveraging the manual controls and the energy-saving insights offered by these devices, you can pinpoint the optimal temperature settings, resulting in significant energy bill savings. Smart thermostat savings range from 10-25% on heating and cooling.

Motion Sensors

Certain smart thermostats are furnished with motion sensors capable of detecting human activity within the residence. These sensors enable the thermostat to recognize periods when you and your household are present and active within the home, such as mornings and evenings, as well as when you are absent. This functionality significantly aids in thermostat scheduling. Considering an upgrade to a new one? Here are some essential factors to consider before making the switch.

Monitoring Energy Consumption

Smart thermostats offer detailed energy usage reports, providing insights into your power consumption patterns. These reports track changes in your energy usage over time and estimate associated costs. Additionally, they often include recommendations on temperature adjustments that can help you reduce your energy expenses.

Seamless Integration with Other Smart Devices

As the realm of smart technology expands, so does the compatibility of your smart thermostat. This means that your thermostat can seamlessly connect and share data with an increasing array of other smart home devices. For instance, if these devices operate on compatible platforms, your smart thermostat can easily control smart humidifiers and air purifiers, enhancing your home’s overall comfort and air quality.

Voice Control Capabilities

With compatibility with voice command technology such as Amazon’s Alexa, a smart thermostat can be effortlessly managed using voice commands. Basic instructions like “Alexa, decrease the temperature to 68 degrees” enable you to make quick adjustments with ease.

Energy Profiles

An energy profile is a comprehensive overview of your home, taking into account various factors like its size, location, and heating/cooling systems in place. A smart thermostat can be configured with these specifics to enhance energy efficiency. It then utilizes this information to establish an automated system that simplifies HVAC management, making it more convenient and efficient.

Monitoring Weather Conditions

It’s not just seasonal transitions that call for thermostat adjustments. Modern thermostats, like the latest offerings from Ecobee, have the capability to monitor real-time local weather reports. When they detect rising temperatures or anticipate a cold front approaching, they can autonomously adapt the temperature settings to keep your home comfortable and energy-efficient.

What’s the Best Thermostat Setting for the Summer to Save Money?

Summer is a treasured season, filled with beach trips, barbecues, and sun-drenched relaxation.

However, it also brings the struggle for the perfect thermostat setting to maintain a cool, comfortable home without skyrocketing your energy bills.

It’s the classic “Goldilocks Dilemma”—one person’s “just right” temperature might make another reach for a sweater or start to sweat.

The good news? There’s an optimal setting to prevent your home from turning into your personal sauna or an icy tundra.

Let’s get into it.

A Secret Formula

Wondering what this magical summer thermostat setting could be?

While preferences can vary, experts usually recommend a baseline setting of 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.5 Celsius). Direct Energy suggests that, while initially, it may appear on the warmer side, 78 degrees strikes gold, balancing comfort and energy efficiency.

You can aim for a cooler setting if needed, but remember that each degree below this threshold can significantly hike your electricity bill, especially the hotter it gets outside.

Give it a shot, and remember, human bodies are fantastic at adapting, aren’t they?

When the House is Asleep

At night, as we embrace the land of dreams, our body temperatures drop, and our organic cooling systems come into play. Given this, you could consider raising the thermostat to between 80 and 82 degrees, thus increasing the savings!

When the House is Empty

Have plans away from home? Heading out to the shops or away for the day?

The U.S. Department of Energy suggests turning up the thermostat to save money and let the air conditioning system breathe.

Direct Energy even recommends setting it as high as 88 degrees when there are no members (human or pet) at home.

But, here’s a note of caution: if furry friends are indoors, remember that many of them have lower warm temperature tolerance than us.

Interestingly, if you’re going away for a night or two, keeping your HVAC system on is probably best. While you might plan on saving money, it can actually be more expensive to turn it back on when you get home as it’s going to take a ton of work to reset your home’s climate, having been off for a few days.

That said, if you’re going away for more than a day or two, it’s probably worth turning it off completely.

If you have a modern system that you can control remotely, just turn the system off as you leave and turn it back on the day before you aim to come home to give it a chance to get the space to the ideal temperature while saving the most amount of power.

Chill Out, Literally

If 78 degrees still feels like a mini safari, hold onto your ice cream; we have some pro tips for you. Try:

• Wearing light, loose clothes
• Utilizing ceiling fans—these are for cooling people, not air
• Avoiding cooking with your oven during hot hours
• Taking a cool shower before bedtime

Still hot? Try lowering the thermostat by one degree daily until everyone’s comfort zone is met.

How Does Thermostat Installation Work?

The Installation Process…

Assessment: Our technicians will assess your current HVAC system and ensure compatibility with the chosen smart thermostat model.

Wiring Check: We’ll examine your existing thermostat wiring and, if necessary, make adjustments to accommodate the new smart thermostat.

Installation: The smart thermostat will be securely installed on your wall, replacing the old one.

Configuration: Our team will set up the thermostat and connect it to your Wi-Fi network, enabling remote control and access through a mobile app or web portal.

Testing: We’ll ensure that the thermostat is functioning correctly and efficiently.

Thermostats—the Real Estate Matters

Yes, the location of your thermostat matters, just like in real estate. Incorrect placement could lead to misleading readings or “ghost readings,” causing your AC to overwork. Four places to avoid putting your thermostat:

• In direct sunlight
• Directly above air vents
• Inside the kitchen
• Near doors or windows

Looking for Extra Comfort?

If you want more from your thermostat, it might be time to consider an upgrade. Here are some cutting-edge options for your home:

• Smart thermostats connect to your Wi-Fi and adjust temperatures based on your programming or the weather.
• Programmable thermostats can work with an app to let you modify settings remotely based on home occupation during different times or days.
• Wi-Fi thermostats connect with your home’s wireless internet and allow you to modify temperatures from your phone or tablet. This gives you more control to turn the system on and off (or using a timer system) which can generate lots of savings over time.

Summer might be heat’s paradise, but with these tips and the right thermostat setting, it doesn’t have to be within your home. Here’s to a happy, comfortable summer at your home, heatwaves or not!