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February 16th, 2023
Those of us in the HVAC business often refer to furnaces and air conditioners as being the heart of an HVAC system, and the ductwork is the arteries and veins. The machines push conditioned air, and the ducts distribute it, collect it, and recycle it.
Along those same lines, you can think of the thermostat as your HVAC system's brain. A simple twist of a dial or push of a button can determine how hard your HVAC system works.
If you've never owned a smart thermostat, you might think of this as a technological leap forward. As Neil Armstrong said it best, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
At Fire & Ice, we believe in yesterday's and today's technological advancements. In the hustle and bustle of today's world, it's nice to know that when you go home, it will be the perfect temperature setting for your personal oasis.
Programmable Thermostats vs. Smart Thermostats
Before we get into the weeds of all the technical terms, knowing the difference between a smart thermostat and a programmable thermostat is key. Most homeowners think that they are the same, which is not true. They may have some of the same functions, but they do not function the same.
What is a Programmable Thermostat?
Many homeowners believe that the programmable thermostat is a relatively new phenomenon; however, Honeywell introduced the first programmable thermostat in 1906.
Implementing and using a programmable thermostat can be beneficial for the typical homeowner. This is because it allows you to pre-determine your home's temperature for all or several days of the week.
For example, you can set a schedule for your thermostat that automatically turns down the heat at night or while at work. Also, homeowners can schedule the heat to reach their optimal temperature setting before they even get home.
Unlike a traditional thermostat, a programmable thermostat will allow you to, as we like to say in the HVAC business, "set it and forget it," without having to remember to adjust your home's temperature on a daily basis.
What Is a Smart Thermostat?
On the other side of the spectrum is a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat can connect to wifi and is able to learn your heating and cooling habits to control the temperature settings in your home without ever having to lift a finger.
Not to mention: Unlike a traditional thermostat, you can access your smart thermostat through an app on any smart device. This allows homeowners to set their preferred temperature when they're away.
Picture this: You're out of the country and want to check the temperature and status of your indoor humidity level. If you have connected your smart thermostat to your smartphone, you can pull up the app and check/change the settings you want.
Even if your thermostat has learned your typical heating and air conditioning preferences and sets a schedule based on its findings, you can still check, edit, and change the schedule at your leisure.
Is a Smart Thermostat Worth It?
I know you're probably asking yourself, "Is investing in a smart thermostat worth it?" In truth, it depends on the homeowner.
As a pet owner, I like the convenience factor. I can go into my app and change the desired temperature without worrying about my animal companions. Now, that's a specific preference for me, but let's get into the other features of a smart thermostat that could benefit you.
Do Smart Thermostats Save Money?
Smart thermostats can save homeowners money on their monthly electric bills. On average, homeowners can save 8% to 10% on their electric bills. However, a 2021 Ecobee internal analysis states, "Ecobee customers in North America saved up to 26% on their heating and cooling costs."
Smart thermostats save homeowners money by implementing presence detecting, which is a fancy way of saying a smart sensor. A smart thermostat can detect motion in the home. Once the thermostat recognizes that there is no motion (no one in the house), it will adjust the temperature a few degrees to keep your home comfortable while reducing your overall energy costs, thus saving you money.
For example, a slight decrease in temperature from 70 to 68 is a reasonable drop in temperature that will save homeowners a bit of money regarding their monthly energy consumption.
A smart thermostat will also use this technology to determine your proximity to your home. This allows your thermostat to set your home’s temperature back to your optimal comfort level before you even set foot in the door.
Thermostats Can Save Energy While in "Eco-Mode"
One of the biggest reasons homeowners invest in a smart thermostat is because it's marketed as an energy-saving device. And who wouldn't try to save a little more energy these days?
Most smart thermostats are backed by Energy Star and have an "eco mode." The eco mode is good for the environment and your wallet. While in this mode, smart thermostats prioritize your electrical use over comfort.
If you want to lessen your carbon footprint by using less energy consumption, and you don't mind sacrificing your comfort to save money, then a smart thermostat in "eco mode" will prove to be extremely beneficial.
The Convenience of a Smart Thermostat
As mentioned above, by using a smart thermostat, homeowners can see the temperature setting in their home in real-time. So, for some, the convenience factor alone is worth the initial upfront cost.
Especially in today's day in age, where Airbnbs and summer/winter vacation homes are more common, it's reassuring to homeowners and renters that they can check or change their thermostat settings by simply pulling up an app on a smart device.
A Smart Thermostat is Easy to Use
Now, this point does come with the caveat that to "easily" use a smart thermostat, you have to be somewhat tech-savvy. Nevertheless, if you don't consider yourself "tech-savvy," there are plenty of YouTube videos, tutorials, and other sources to learn how to use a smart thermostat to its fullest potential.
Once you jump over the initial hurdle of learning a new system, the benefits of a smart thermostat are endless. Studies have found that using the app on your smartphone is more accessible and user-friendly than a typical thermostat to set a schedule, understand where your energy usage is coming from, and set your optimal temperature.
Control Your Home’s Humidity
One of the best features some smart thermostats provide is the ability to review and control your home's humidity, depending on the system you have. Our HVAC experts suggest an acceptable range for your home's humidity is between 40-60%.
According to Aprilaire, several issues can arise when your home's humidity is below 30%, such as:
- Bacteria Growth
- Viruses
- Allergic Rhinitis & Asthma
- Respiratory Infections
- Ozone Production
Aprilaire also states that other issues can occur when your home's humidity is over 60%, such as:
- Bacteria Growth
- Viruses
- Fungi (Mold, Mildew, etc.)
- Dust Mites
- Allergic Rhinitis & Asthma
- Chemical Interactions
Each issue becomes less apparent if your home's humidity stays within the recommended relative humidity range. The better your home's humidity, the better your indoor air quality. Also, some smart thermostats will tell you the weather in your area; therefore, you can adjust your home's temperature to combat low or high humidity.
Related Content:What's the Best Humidity Level For Your Home, and How Do You Control It?
What Are Some of the Best Smart Thermostats?
The short but unhelpful answer is that there is no single best thermostat for everyone. Depending on your HVAC system and comfort needs, some options will be better or worse for you individually.
Since smart thermostats have been on the market for a few years, we now have data to support their claims regarding energy use, saving money, and its overall convenience. So, if you're a homeowner looking to invest in a smart thermostat, below are some options that we’ve installed here at Fire & Ice, and can vouch for their quality.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat has four features that can be useful to any homeowner, including:
- Help Save Money on Your Energy Bill- the Google Nest Thermostat has motion sensors that signal the device to set itself to save energy. If connected to your smart device, it can check your location and turn your home's temperature up or down to ensure your home is at your desired comfort level when you return.
- Programs Itself- it will learn and anticipate your temperature setting preferences and build an energy saving schedule around yours.
- Easy to Install- on average, it only takes 1 hour to install, and you can reap the benefits immediately.
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat integrates well with your smart home ecosystem and can be as involved (or less involved) as you want it to be, making it fully customizable to the homeowner.
Also Read: Google Nest Farsight Thermostat Review (Benefits, Features, and Cost)
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced
This version is the middle tier for Ecobee smart thermostats. The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced features include:
- Easy Self-Install- comes with everything you need for a quick, easy, and painless installation.
- Control at Your Fingertips- you can control your Ecobee Thermostat from anywhere using your Apple or Android devices.
- Energy Star Certified- according to Energy Star, homeowners can save up to 26% on their home heating and cooling costs when using an Ecobee Smart Thermostat.
- Trusted By Experts- hardwired, so you don't have to worry about batteries, backed by a 3-year warranty, and automatically installs software updates.
If you want to take your comfort level up a notch, you can purchase the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium and other related products, such as the smart sensor.
Carrier Infinity System Control Thermostat
The Carrier Infinity System Control Thermostat is designed for homeowners that understand the value of reaching your optimal comfort level. Some features include, but are not limited to:
- Greenspeed Technology- connects to your HVAC units (heat pump, air conditioner, furnace, air handle, humidifier, etc.) to enhance your HVAC system's overall efficiency and optimized performance.
- Anywhere Access- you can control your system from anywhere by downloading the Carrier Home app on your smart device.
- Reminders- this is a big selling feature if you're a homeowner who needs to remember to change your air filter monthly. This smart thermostat will remind you when it's time to change your air filters, creating a more clean and comfortable home.
Read More:Product Review: Carrier Infinity System Control Thermostat
There are several other smart thermostats on the market with some of the same features. It ultimately comes down to the homeowner and their heating, cooling, humidity, and indoor air quality preferences.
Will My Old Thermostat Be Compatible With My New HVAC System?
Are you concerned about upgrading your home heating and cooling system and how it will perform with your existing thermostat? Well, don't worry! At Fire & Ice, we include a compatible thermostat (regardless of the system you choose) with the purchase of a complete HVAC system.
When you purchase a smart thermostat during your HVAC installation, you can be sure the options your comfort expert suggests will fit your HVAC system like a glove. It may not seem like a lot to some people, but some smart thermostats can range from $500 to $1,000. Not to mention, if you buy one yourself, it may not be compatible with your system.
Turning Your Traditional Home Into a "Smart Home"
If you're ready to jump on the bandwagon and turn your home into a smart home, a smart thermostat is the perfect first product to invest in. Plus, they have a smaller upfront cost than other "smart" enabled technology for your home.
However, investing in a smart thermostat is just the tip of the "smart home" iceberg.
If you want to learn more about smart thermostats and how they can benefit you, your home, and your comfort, type in your zip code below to see if you're in our service area, and begin your smart home journey with Fire & Ice today.
