Here in Auburn, Georgia, the air conditioner or heat pump is one of the biggest users of electricity in most homes. You may think about your air conditioner and its energy usage on occasion, but do you spend much time thinking about your thermostat? Upgrading to a smart thermostat can make a huge difference in both efficiency and comfort. It’s one of the best investments you can make in your home.
Planning Ahead to Save Energy
Think about your daily routine. Now, think about how often your air conditioner is running at full blast while no one is home. You could turn the AC down when you leave and turn it back up when you get home, but that’s one more thing to remember and a waste of energy if you forget. Plus, your house will be warmer than you’d like for at least a few minutes right when you get home.
With a smart thermostat, you can program your thermostat ahead of time to adjust the temperature throughout the day. This can save you quite a lot on your utility bills, especially if your home is typically empty during the hottest part of the day.
Plans Change? Remote-Control Your AC wtih a Smart Thermostat
Of course, not every programmable thermostat is a true smart thermostat. The problem with a regular programmable thermostat is that you have to be home to program or reprogram it. With a smart thermostat, you can use an app on your smartphone to control your AC remotely. For instance, if you’re going to be home early, you can turn on the AC when you’re 15 minutes away to make sure your home is nice and cool by the time you arrive. Likewise, if you’re going to be back late, you can turn the AC off to avoid wasting power cooling down an empty house. If you leave for vacation and realize an hour later that you forgot to turn off the AC, you’ll be glad you made the upgrade to a smart thermostat.
A smart thermostat doesn’t just give you pinpoint control. It also learns from your routines and automatically handles the raising and lowering of temperature as you come and go. You can always manually override the thermostat, of course, but the system goes a long way to take human error out of the equation.
Keep Your HVAC Systems Maintained
Manipulating your target temperature isn’t the only way a smart thermostat can help you save money and improve efficiency. A smart thermostat will also send you a warning when it’s time to change your air filter or have your system serviced. Remember, a well-maintained system is an efficient system, while a dirty air filter or another maintenance issue will drain electricity whenever your AC is on. Being proactive about maintenance will also extend the lifespan of your air conditioner and prevent more expensive future repairs.
Real-Time Weather and Temperature Forecasts
Another great feature of a smart thermostat is real-time weather information. Your thermostat will keep you in the loop about the weather so that you can not only adjust your HVAC systems accordingly but also plan your day with a minimum of hassle.
A Smart Thermostat Integrates With Other Smart Home Systems
Your smart thermostat has the overall effect of connecting your HVAC system to the “Internet of Things” (IoT) as part of a smart home. It can serve as an Internet bridge to other smart home systems that control lighting, entertainment. and appliances, as well as access control and home security.
Upgrading to a smart thermostat will help you save energy, but it’s about far more than that. Enjoy the convenience and comfort that comes from pinpoint control over your HVAC systems as well as home automation. To learn more, check out our thermostats and control systems online or call 706-489-7470.
