The thermostat is the brain of your HVAC system, but it’s often overlooked. With the rapid technological advances over the last 10 years, smart thermostats have become increasingly popular and affordable. But are they really worth the investment?
For what it’s worth, we LOVE the Ecobee smart thermostat (which is compatible with Alexa). On average, we could probably estimate you’d shell out around $200 to purchase one (though there are different prices on Amazon and those prices can vary by week and day). Then you can just install it yourself or hire us to install it at a reasonable price!
With that in mind, let’s get into our analysis!
One of the biggest benefits of a smart thermostat is the potential for energy savings. Smart thermostats are designed to learn your daily routines (or allow you to easily program your routines and preferences) and adjust the temperature accordingly. This means that the thermostat can automatically turn down the heat or air conditioning when you’re not home, which can result in significant energy savings.
Just imagine keeping your home at 75-80 degrees when you’re not home for 10 hours each day instead of at 70 degrees 24/7. Five to ten degrees might not sound like a ton, but it can QUICKLY add up to powerful savings. Even keeping your home a little warmer during the daytime when the heat is most intense can save you shocking amounts of money (and you can still cool it down as much as you need to get deep, comfortable sleep).
In fact, some studies have shown that smart thermostats can reduce energy costs by around 10-15%. For easy math, let’s say you spent $200 on a smart thermostat and your current energy bill is $200 per month. At the 10% savings rate, the thermostat would pay for itself in just 10 months, and the rest would be icing on the cake!
On top of automatically helping you save money, smart thermostats also give you ton of power and convenience at your fingertips. Feeling a little hot or cold? Whip out your phone (if you’re not on it already) and adjust it however you need! This can be especially convenient if you’re on vacation or away from home for an extended period of time and you forgot to set the thermostat before you left. Some smart thermostats (including the Ecobee4) also have voice control capabilities, allowing you to adjust the temperature with simple voice commands.
Hopefully we've convinced you that a smart thermostat is definitely worth the investment for many homeowners. The potential for energy savings, convenient control, and increased comfort make it a smart choice for those looking to upgrade their home’s heating and cooling system. At All Hours Heating and Air, we can help you install an awesome product that fits your personal needs and budget. Contact us today to learn more about our smart thermostat installation services!