As technology continues to improve, more and more homeowners are benefiting from advances in smart home technology. One of the most common additions to this network is a smart thermostat. As the “brains” of your home’s heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat offers several benefits over traditional thermostats.
They Work With Smart Homes
Wi-Fi connectivity is built into smart thermostats, enabling users to remotely adjust the home’s temperature using a smart speaker, mobile device, laptop, or tablet computer. Because of this, you can adjust your home’s temperature even when you are not there. This is convenient when you wish to keep your HVAC use at a minimum when you are away but return to a home that is already at your desired temperature. Smart thermostats can be zoned to check temperatures in multiple areas of your home and adjust the temperature based on the rooms that are occupied. Some smart thermostats will offer additional energy-saving features like auto-away when they don’t detect movement in a home. They may also factor in humidity level when determining room temperature.
Remote Temperature Adjustment Options
If your home has a programmable thermostat, you may use your smart device to control the temperature from anywhere. While some smart thermostats work with a preprogrammed schedule of being home and away, other smart thermostats may adjust the temperature up or down based on motion detection. Most smart thermostats also allow you to manually adjust the temperature from your mobile device.
With geofencing technology, which is included in many modern smart thermostats, the temperature may be set to your liking whenever you leave or return home. To activate geofencing, you typically have an app on your mobile device that tracks your location. Once you are a certain distance away from your home, the thermostat will use your location to switch to away mode. When you return to the area within this home radius, the thermostat begins to return your home’s temperature to your preferred home setting.
Save Money With Improved Energy Efficiency
A smart thermostat’s increased efficiency can help homeowners cut costs on their monthly energy bills. Smart thermostats are able to remember your heating and cooling preferences and change the temperature accordingly. Some thermostats may make recommendations on changes to your scheduling or temperature highs and lows that are designed to save you additional money. They may also offer eco features that encourage lower-power functions like air circulation in order to better distribute heat or cool air.
Additional Benefits of Smart Thermostats
There are a number of different smart thermostats that offer intuitive features that are easy to learn. Some versions include sensors to monitor indoor air quality metrics, including temperature, humidity, and carbon monoxide concentration. Smart thermostats also include additional characteristics, such as learning capabilities, allowing them to adapt to the user’s schedule and preferences over time. Thermostats that have several room sensors or connections to a home’s security system may feature the ability to sense when a room is vacant. The thermostat may save user preferences and revert to them when occupancy is detected. Smart thermostats can also track the amount of energy over time that is needed to keep your home at a certain temperature. This is a great way to find inefficiencies like leaky ductwork before they become large and expensive.
Have Greater Control Over Your Home
Since smart thermostats allow for individualized temperature regulation, they can give you more say over your living environment.
If your home has mini-splits or zoned ducting, you can control each section of your home individually. In some cases, you can allow different users to adjust to their own pre-programmed settings when they are in a certain region of the home. Bedroom sensors for a smart thermostat may listen for sounds and motion and can adjust the temperature when you are asleep versus when you are awake.
Air Quality and Humidity Functions
Sensors built into smart thermostats can identify the origins of any air quality issues in the home. If your HVAC systems have additional in-line features such as UV lamps, humidifiers, or dehumidifiers, these items can be controlled through your smart thermostat and used to calibrate comfort level.
Some smart thermostats provide real-time air quality monitoring. Some sensors associated with smart thermostat systems can detect carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and other pollutants. They may warn you if they reach dangerous levels or simply adjust airflow, humidity, or ventilation in order to help improve your indoor air. Some models of smart thermostats can notify you when your air intake filter needs to be changed or when it’s time to schedule your annual HVAC maintenance visit.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Smart Thermostat Brand
If you are looking to upgrade to a smart thermostat, there are several factors to consider. First, look at your home internet, Wi-Fi, and cellular options. Choose a system that works with the speed of internet access that you have and that can communicate quickly and effectively with your mobile devices if you choose to use that feature.
Another important feature to consider is how the smart thermostat adjusts for home and away temperatures. If the thermostat works best when detecting motion, for example, this may not be the best option for a home with pets that will be walking around when you are away.
If your home has a smart system in place, such as lighting, smart speakers, or a security system, then consider choosing a thermostat that was designed to connect and communicate with this central system. This can increase the monitoring features of your thermostat and calibrate all “home,” “away” and “vacation” functions.
Your personal needs and HVAC features will also affect the best smart thermostat for you. If you have a family member with asthma, an indoor air quality monitor can be very helpful. If your system has a UV system, humidifier, or dehumidifier, then choosing a thermostat that monitors this and considers this as a part of its programming will be more useful.
Consult the Professionals
At Aurora Pro Services Heating, Air, Plumbing, Electrical, & Roofing of Greensboro, we understand the importance of having a comfortable and efficient home. We specialize in HVAC services, so whether you’re looking for energy-efficient HVAC systems or smart thermostats to improve your air quality, our experienced technicians are here to help. Our business offers a range of home services. Our plumbing department performs repairs, installs tank-based and tankless water heaters, works with water softeners, clears drains, installs sump pumps and gas lines, and creates kitchen plumbing. Our HVAC professionals repair, install and maintain furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, and mini-splits along with boilers, smart thermostats, ductwork, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. Our electricians can install and repair residential and commercial wiring, circuit breakers, generators, surge protectors, lighting, switches, and outlets. We can also do electrical safety inspections. Our roofers will inspect, install, and repair roofs and gutters.
With years of experience and a commitment to quality and customer service, we are here to ensure you get the products and services you need. Contact us today to learn more about how upgrading to a smart thermostat can help improve your home’s comfort and energy efficiency!
