New tech is popping up every now and then. While this is definitely good for the consumer, it can at times be confusing telling which smart device is right for your home. When out shopping for a thermostat, looking at the features can help you find out whether it is right for your home.
When you install a smart thermostat, you can save about $100 a year on your energy bill. This is according to Energy Star.
Smart Thermostats
Before smart thermostats came into the market, the hottest thermostat technology was the programmable thermostat. Smart thermostats automatically adjust based on your schedule and this can help you save a lot of money on energy expenses.
Smart thermostats have some of the energy-saving features of programmable thermostats, but they take this to another level. Through Wi-Fi connection, these thermostats allow you to manage heating and cooling schedules in your home right from your tablet, smartphone, or desktop.
Because of their smartness, they can learn your preferred temperatures and even know when you are at home or away at work or holiday. They also factor in your local weather to help you plan your temperature settings.
Though it is quite costly buying a smart thermostat, the efficient temperature settings you enjoy will eventually pay off in the long run. Whenever and wherever you are, you can control the thermostat.
Features to Look Out For
Design
If you are into a lot of techie definitions, design may be an issue for you. Some homeowners prefer thermostats with a sleek body that blends well with their interiors. On the other hand, if you are more concerned with the content of the thermostat, having a device with a plastic casing is just fine. Remember that packaging is not that important and it doesn’t affect the performance of the smart thermostat.
Energy Saving
If you are obsessed with energy efficiency, a device that can track data and report on trends is one you should look out for. Any smart thermostat has the potential to save on energy, but smarter ones can observe your behavior, discover patterns, and fine tune themselves accordingly. This adds more nuances to your efficiency.
Buying Energy Star qualified appliances gives you the extra confidence you need for your home’s energy management.
Compatibility with Your Existing HVAC System
The first step is to determine whether your heating system is a heat pump or furnace. Many smart thermostat models can comfortably work with both, but the setup differs for every system. When you know beforehand the type of system you have, you can quickly check the thermostat packaging to ensure it is compatible.
Finally, when making big home purchases such as smart thermostats, it is important that you shop around and evaluate your criteria.
