Smart thermostats have gained popularity over the last decade and can now be found in most homes across the country. But are you using your smart thermostat to save money on energy bills, or are you just using it as if it were a standard thermostat?
If your thermostat can connect to WiFi, it’s a smart thermostat. If you don’t have this kind of thermostat already, smart thermostat installation is a great investment to make. Smart thermostats can save you money on energy bills with very little effort required.
Potential Energy Savings
When we talk about energy savings, it’s important to understand that saving on energy translates into saving money on your monthly energy bills. Whether you have a gas or electric-powered heater, smart thermostats can help you save money.
In fact, according to the EPA an energy star thermostat can save you an average of 8% on your energy bills over the course of a year. And every dollar adds up! But how does it work, exactly? Well, to save on energy consumption, you should turn your heater down to a lower temperature while you’re gone for the day.
Turning your thermostat up and down at regular intervals can be difficult to remember. If you forget to turn it down, your heater continues to heat your home even though you’re not home to enjoy the comfort. A smart thermostat can help by adjusting the settings automatically according to a schedule.
How Does a Smart Thermostat Work?
Your smart thermostat knows when you’re home and when you’re away. This may sound a little creepy, but it’s really not. Your smart thermostat either uses motion sensors to detect when no one is home or it establishes your location using your phone’s GPS.
When you’re away, the thermostat lowers the temperature in your home. When you arrive back home, the heat will turn back on. Over time, your thermostat learns your habits. For example, if you work from 8 to 5, Monday through Friday, your thermostat will stop heating your home between those hours.
You can also set a schedule of your own if you’d rather do that. Then if your schedule changes, you can access an app on your phone to adjust the settings manually. You can do the same thing if you plan to be away for an extended period of time while traveling. Many homeowners utilize a mix of these three options to maximize energy efficiency.
After all, even if you’re away for a week you may still forget to change the thermostat settings. If this happens, your smart thermostat can lower the temperature automatically. The idea is to lower the thermostat temperature by 7° to 10° F while you’re away to save around 10% on your energy bill each month. You can take it a step further and also lower the temperature while you sleep for additional energy savings.
JMS Air Conditioning and Heating has your back. Call us today to schedule an appointment for a smart thermostat in Glendale, CA!
