Smart thermostats are equipped with advanced sensors, learning capabilities, remote controlling features, and Wi-Fi connectivity. All these features allow you to use the thermostat from your phone or laptop. They can be a bit pricey, but they also have many benefits.
Let’s check out the pros and cons of a smart thermostat.
Pros
Here are some of the benefits of installing smart thermostats:
Energy Savings
The biggest benefit of a smart thermostat is all the energy it helps you save. The design of these devices lets you monitor your usage and turn up or turn down the thermostat accordingly.
So, when you know you won’t be at home, you can set the thermostat to a normal temperature, allowing it to conserve energy by not heating or cooling an empty house. This way, you can cut down on your carbon footprint as well. However, this only works if you program the thermostat correctly.
Control Temperature Remotely
Smart thermostats usually connect to the Wi-Fi and then to an app on your phone or laptop. This allows you to control the thermostat and its settings right from your phone without ever needing to go to the thermostat physically.
This feature might not seem very useful while you’re in the house. But when you’re headed home after a long day at work, you can use the app from your office only to set your desired temperature, so that the house is perfectly warm or cool just as you arrive. It also allows you to turn the thermostat off if you ever forget to do so before leaving the house.
Smart Learning Capability
Some smart thermostats have an advanced learning capability and rely on artificial intelligence. This allows them to learn your thermostat setting preferences and behaviors over time and automatically follow them even if you don’t do it yourself.
This is great for people who don’t like to constantly set the thermostat at the right temperature every time. They can simply do it a few times and then forget about it as the smart thermometer learns to do it on its own.
Multiple Settings and Options
This depends on the exact smart thermostat you have, but many models come with various settings and options that let you personalize and customize your thermostat. So, for instance, you can set different temperatures for different areas of the house, or program it to turn on/off at fixed times every day.
Track Your Energy Consumption
Some models can also track and display your energy consumption over a certain period. This can help you evaluate how much energy you’re using. Then, if you’re on a budget or need to save energy, you can adjust your consumption accordingly. For instance, if you’ve already exceeded the weekly cost allotted to heating and cooling, the next week, you can keep the thermostat low to cover up for the extra usage last week.
Cons
There are also a few drawbacks of using smart thermostats.
Expensive
When it comes to smart thermostats, a major concern for most people is the cost. These can be three to four times more expensive as compared to your normal thermostats. Some people do argue that over time it helps you save more money through the energy savings, but it depends on how you use it and your budget as well.
Complicated Installation
These clever devices may be easy to use, but they can be a headache to install. Therefore, if you were thinking of installing it yourself, you might want to rethink that idea. Most of the time, you need a professional to come and install the thermostat correctly so that it works effectively and efficiently.
Moreover, if you happen to have an AC unit as well as a furnace, it can further complicate matters and add to the installation costs.
In a Nutshell
It’s clear that smart thermostats have their benefits as well as drawbacks. Therefore, it depends on you and your needs to decide if this piece of smart technology is for you. If you already have a programmable thermostat that you diligently set every day, you might not notice a huge difference in your energy bill with a smart thermostat.
Alternatively, if you’re an environmentally conscious person who tends to forget to turn down the thermostat, a good smart thermostat will be a lifesaver.
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