Modern smart thermostats go above and beyond just heating and cooling your home. Their smart features allow control from any location through your devices, offer schedule learning, and save you money on energy bills with more precise adjustments. Keep reading to learn exactly what a smart thermostat is, how it works, and other FAQs.
What is a Smart Thermostat?
Smart thermostats differ from regular thermostats in that they can be adjusted remotely using specific apps on your smart devices. Some models can be integrated with your other smart home systems to detect problems with your ducts or connect with sensors in your smart smoke detector, for example. Certain smart thermostats can even learn your schedule and adjust temperatures throughout the home automatically. In addition, smart thermostats have more of a modern, sleek look.
How does a smart thermostat work?
A smart thermostat works just like a traditional one, except that it connects to your home's wifi. This allows you to change the thermostat’s settings remotely using a supported app. When you adjust the temperature in the app, it transmits that setting through your wifi network to the thermostat. The thermostat then sends that signal to the blower and HVAC system and voila -- you have heating or cooling. If you're home and near the thermostat, you can still of course change the temperature the old-fashioned way, too.
What's the difference between a smart thermostat and a programmable thermostat?
A programmable thermostat can be programmed to your preferred temperature settings and can automatically adjust temperatures based on your personalized schedule and preset preferences. A smart thermostat provides the same benefits plus many more advanced features. Smart thermostats provide efficient heating and cooling by sensing when a space is empty or occupied and when you are home or away. They allow you to schedule events (e.g. a vacation) and also provide you with information such as the weather and monthly energy reports. Smart thermostats are also Wi-Fi enabled, allowing them to be controlled remotely through smart devices.
Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat vs. a Programmable Honeywell Thermostat
How does a smart thermostat save you money?
By diagnosing internal issues and using features like learning, scheduling, geofencing, and occupancy detecting, your smart thermostat works to only heat and cool the home as much as needed. Whereas a regular thermostat will run even if a room is empty, for example, a smart thermostat will sense if a room is unoccupied and won't waste energy -- and money -- by heating or cooling that area. Room sensors can reduce energy usage even further by heating and cooling specific areas more accurately.
What are the requirements for installing a smart thermostat?
As long as there's a wifi connection in your home, most modern HVAC systems can be upgraded to a smart thermostat. However, since there are many different heating and cooling setups that may impact the possibility of an upgrade, it's a good idea to confirm your system's compatibility before making a purchase.
You will also need some sort of device like a smartphone or tablet to use an app to remotely control your thermostat. Every smart thermostat is paired with a free app so that you can adjust the temperature and settings anytime, anywhere.
Can I install a smart thermostat myself?
Unless you know a lot about wiring, you should have a professional electrician or HVAC company install your new smart thermostat. Smart thermostats require different wiring than older, traditional thermostats, and therefore can be more difficult for non-professionals to install.
How do I choose a smart thermostat?
Choosing the best smart thermostat for your home depends on many factors. You should consider what features are most important to you, what look/design you prefer, your budget, and compatibility with your HVAC system. Some of the newer, popular smart thermostats on the market right now include the Nest Thermostat, the Nest Learning Thermostat, the ecobee SmartThermostat, and the Resideo Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat.
If you live in the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area and would like to find comfort within your home, visit our website or give us a call at 215 - 245 - 3200 to learn more.
