In recent years, smart technology has helped us do everything from track our personal workouts to vacuum our living rooms without much effort on our end. With all this potential, it is a no-brainer for smart technology to help us make our home comfort systems more efficient. If you’re looking for a way to reduce your energy bills and have more control over your comfort at home, smart thermostats are the perfect place to start.
Smart thermostats operate much like a programmable thermostat. Standard programmable models allow you to adjust temperatures to use less energy when you’ll be away or asleep. Most of these thermostats let you set schedules for each day of the week, divide it between weekday and weekend programming or make everyday a constant temperature. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to 10 percent on your annual heating and cooling bill by using a programmable thermostat.
Smart thermostats allow you even more control when it comes to your HVAC system. Using your smart phone and a compatible app, you can adjust your home’s temperature wirelessly, no matter where you are located. That means you can adjust it if anything unexpected happens—whether you’re away from home longer than you thought or there is a change in the weather. That control, combined with the energy usage reports your smart model offers, can help you make your home even more energy efficient.
Some smart thermostats models have even more benefits. Depending on what you desire your thermostat to be able to do, there are some different options:
- Should it hold the temperature in your home as close as possible to your preferred setting? iComfort® systems hold the temperature in your house within a half degree of what you set the thermostat to.
- Should it detect your location to intuitively adjust temperatures when you’re away? iComfort’s Smart Away™ mode knows your location using your phone and adjusts the temperature when you leave. When you’re driving home, the system changes again to make sure you’re comfortable when you get home.
- Should your device adjust to meet the climate? The iComfort Feels Like™ feature takes weather conditions like temperature and humidity into account while managing the comfort level in your home. That way, 72 degrees always feels like 72 degrees—regardless of what it’s like outside.
- Should it work with your other smart devices? Some smart thermostats work with Amazon Alexa and Apple Homekit. With voice commands, you can adjust your settings without moving from your spot.
Ready to find a smart thermostat model that meets your needs? The pros at Connolly Electric & Mechanical can help you get started. You can reach us us at 928-251-4327 to an appointment with us. We can answer any questions you have and walk you through the options for your home comfort system.