Your smart thermostat is designed to save you money without your having to think about it. Of course, that doesn't mean that you don't have any say over how it works and how much money you save. We'll look at tips you can use to keep your energy bills as low as possible.
The good news is that even if you never adjusted your smart thermostat, the defaults are designed to reduce your electricity consumption at every turn. However, the more quality information you provide to the thermostat, the better off you (and the planet) will be. In addition, make sure you're allowing for some degree of trial and error in the beginning. It would be difficult for anyone to program it perfectly the first time around.
If you have a smart thermostat with electronic eyes, it will 'know' when you're in the home and when you've left. Other systems might have you fill out a calendar so you can input everything from your work to sports practice schedules.
No matter which one you choose, the thermostat will get used to when you're gone so it can adjust the temperature and then stabilize it to your desired level ;upon arrival. This back-and-forth is not so excessive that will overtax the system, but not so subtle that you won't notice a difference in energy savings.
When you pick your ideal temperatures, remember that you're dealing with contrasts and acclimatization. Even 80° indoors will feel quite cool if it's 100° outside. A setting of 68° can also be comfortable in the winter, especially when you first enter the home from the comfort of a warm car.
Electronic eyes can tell if you're at home, but they're not so advanced to program the thermostat based on what you're doing at home. On the days when you're working out at home or cleaning up a storm, the idea is to set your thermostat so that you're comfortable during all this activity. This might work to your disadvantage during the summer but can balance out during the winter. And if you happen to have a few lazy days during the warmer months, you can safely turn up the thermostat too.
In the winter, you might not notice your savings as much (usually up to about 5% savings). This is not a knock against the smart thermostat so much as it is a nod to furnace standards of the day. They're more efficient than ever, which means that you'll see less waste either way.
The real savings tend to come in the summer months. Even if you wanted to keep your home ice-cold, you can save up to 10% on bills by raising your thermostat between 7 and 10° for eight hours a day. So if you were at 78°, the thermostat will be able to go up to 88° when you're not there and still have room to subside by the time you're back home.
Smart thermometers can pay for themselves sooner than you might think. You'll also feel more comfortable and more at ease without having to remember to change important settings manually.
Terese Ferrara is a long-time resident of the Bay Area and has been a partner with The Goss Real Estate Group for many years. She and her husband raised their two daughters in San Jose, where she successfully continues to build her real estate career.
After earning a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University, she went on to teach in the San Jose Unified School District for 9 years. Transitioning to real estate was a logical choice, utilizing her patient demeanor to educate all levels of buyers and sellers. Knowledge and experience demonstrate her vested interest in delivering the highest level of care and professionalism to every client. She consistently strives to exceed her client’s expectations throughout the entire real estate transaction and remains a trusted advisor long after each close.
As a board member on KW Bay Area Estates’ Associate Leadership Council (ALC), she aids in support of culture and professional development strategies for over 180 associates. Terese is also a Director for the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors Foundation, which supports community service initiatives in Silicon Valley.
Terese is the consummate real estate professional dedicated to providing unparalleled service to her clients through ongoing training and education, keeping her on top of the dynamic market and latest real estate trends. Her high-touch approach coupled with honesty and integrity support her commitment to her client’s real estate needs.
