Winter in Connecticut is cold, and the humidity of its coastal location can make it feel particularly frigid. The chill makes arriving at a toasty warm home a real treat. Now there are ways to make heating a home much easier and more efficient with technology like smart thermostats.
Smart and programmable thermostats make winter more comfortable. Consulting a professional HVAC company to install these new controls on your home’s heating and cooling system is simple. Why not start on the path to lower energy bills and a more tolerable winter?
Understanding Smart Thermostats and Their Benefits
Traditional thermostats are adjusted by hand. They contain thermometers that trigger the furnace to start when the temperature falls below a certain threshold. Over time the original home heating systems were improved, such as with zoning, which allowed heat to be controlled for specific parts of the house.
Now, home HVAC systems can be more sophisticated and efficient, and thermostats have been updated to match. The new devices provide many options for control, and provide even temperatures throughout the building.
Updating to a smart thermostat, which are often connected to the internet for more efficient temperature adjustments, should result in at least 10 percent savings on energy bills and a more comfortable home.
When paired with a modern HVAC system that is sized appropriately and accompanied by updated insulation, a smart thermostat can achieve up to 20 percent savings on heat and air conditioning bills.
Two general types of smart thermostats are:
Programmable thermostats are an intermediate step in smart thermostats. These are simple to learn because they allow you to use controls to set temperatures according to your schedule. These do not make changes without your direct input, nor are they connected to the internet or your phone. These thermostats are best for people with predictable schedules. They can be set to start warming the home just before you return in the evening, then to reduce the temperature overnight while you’re sleeping.
Learning thermostats are internet-enabled, incorporate room sensors, and can connect to your smart phone through an app. These devices “remember” information about your preferences over a two-week training period. Then, they make temperature adjustments for you, such as:
- Warming up parts of the house just before you return home in the evening
- Turning down the heat when you go to bed
- Using sensors to focus heat on rooms used more frequently
- If desired, some models can adjust the temperature according to weather forecasts
Smart thermostats allow remote access to your heating system for impromptu changes. If you decide to go out after work, you can use your smart phone to override the settings and delay the usual 6 p.m. reheating of your home. Or, if the weather turns nasty and everyone leaves the office early to work from home, you can adjust the settings to make your study toasty warm when you arrive. This fingertip control relieves the stress of trying to remember every detail when you take off for a spontaneous weekend away as well.
The Smart Thermostat’s Role in a Connected Home: Usage reports received through your learning thermostat’s smartphone app can help refine your heat habits by highlighting opportunities for reducing the temperature. In addition, the learning thermostat can be integrated with other smart home systems. This includes turning on (smart bulb) lights using the learning thermostat’s sensors that trigger when someone enters a room.
Incentives for Additional Savings: Rebates and incentives from utility companies may help with your decision about a smart thermostat. Check with your gas or electric company about programs for upgrading to more efficient systems and controls. Remember, Energy Star certified products are most likely to qualify for these energy efficiency incentive programs.
Get the Right Guidance from Energy Professionals
Making the switch to a programmable or learning thermostat can change your life in a small but significant way. Combining the energy efficiency of a smart device with a broader plan to upgrade your HVAC system that enhances your enjoyment of your home is a job for Unified Home Solutions, a company with unrivaled HVAC knowledge and professionalism. Call for a consultation today and start saving money tomorrow.