The Texas summer heat is usually a time when AC bills go up significantly, and when it comes to saving money, who wouldn’t want to be up-to-date with the ever-growing technology anyway? Smart thermostats are making waves in the world of home technology today. They make things easier to maneuver in your household. If you are not familiar with them or are still using a standard thermostat either manual or semi-programmable, then you are in the right place!
Any homeowner will appreciate the potential to save money on their Texas electricity costs, and part of that process to achieve that is a decision to invest in a smart thermostat which also can help you determine how much electricity your home or business actually needs or uses. While these devices vary greatly in their function and complexity, there are a few clear winners which we will discuss below. The bottom line is these give you an edge to allow further savings in your electricity pricing which can add up to significant savings over the course of a year.
How Smart Thermostats Work.
Are you tired of doing all the thinking or constant manual adjustments to your HVAC settings? If so, smart thermostats are the answer. The HVAC system is never easy to maneuver, but incorporating a smart thermostat into your household will help you adjust the settings to your preference. Once it is installed, it monitors the temperature you desire and, with time, starts recommending temperature settings for you and optimizing the schedule automatically to save you money. Additionally, you can control your thermostat whenever and wherever you are through your phone, tablet, or computer by utilizing its Wi-Fi capabilities. Therefore, if you forget to turn it up or down or off completely, you can do so without going home and manually adjusting it like in the past with older units. Some models of these smart thermostats can detect when you are close to home and will adjust the temperature to make you comfortable once you are there.
A smart thermostat can reveal the real-time energy consumption cost and the energy consumed via the applications you use to change or monitor the temperature. Also, to save on energy here in Texas, it can show you the most convenient way to cool or heat your home. Some smart thermostats make temperature adjustments depending on the immediate surroundings. For example, it cools the temperature when you use the oven for cooking or when it knows people are in the home vs. when the premises are vacant. It’s these kinds of features that can help to add up to hundreds of dollars in savings per year avoiding needlessly running the heat or AC when it’s not necessary.
Top-Rated Smart Thermostats.
If you are looking to buy a smart thermostat that requires very little input, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat is an ideal choice. While a bit on the pricey side, it quickly pays for itself over time and has a very positive visual appeal. It is simple to use; hence, you won’t have a hard time figuring it out. The other unit you could consider is the Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control. It is one of the most versatile smart thermostats because it comes with smarter sensors than the Google Nest Learning Thermostat. It has a built-in speaker, is compatible with most smart-home platforms, and has a sleek glass touchscreen.
However, for similar features you’d have a very hard time beating one of the newer offerings on the market from Wyze – their Wyze smart home thermostat sells for under $100, about 1/3 of the price of the Google Nest.
Another option is the Mysa Smart Thermostat that works with 110-volt electrical heating sources.
It has a modern design and artificial intelligence, which helps it schedule when to heat or cool the temperatures in your home.
Another option, the Honeywell Home T5+ Smart Thermostat is not as simple to maneuver as the rest are but is less expensive. Note that it cannot automatically determine your schedule or even sense when you are close to home. However, it offers most of the important features the other thermostats have. Researching each of these in more detail will provide you more information and understanding of what may meet your needs better; after all, who wants to invest in a brand that they barely know anything about? Feel free to contact them and see what they have to offer.
The Various Ways That Smart Thermostats Can Save You Money.
You should give a smart thermostat a chance and be the judge. The amount of money you could save could amount to hundreds of dollars in a year and is a common statistic that many reviewers of these devices report. This is also according to companies like Google with their Nest product. Their reports showed that smart thermostats decrease cooling and heating costs by 10-15% on average, which when running the AC to cool down in the Texas heat, can be significant over time. However, it would be best if you did not leave your smart thermostat running at extremely high or low temperatures throughout summer and winter. You should know that the potential savings depend on you, which means that your utility bills will be high if you are reckless with using a smart thermostat or any thermostat. While setting the temperatures, please choose the most appropriate one, and AI self-learning can help you.
They Keep Track of The Energy You Consume.
With the new innovations introduced by smart thermostats, there is no need to continue using the old-style analog thermostats. Some of these new units let you access information about your overall energy consumption as well as its cost. They combine this data into a report that is easy for you to understand. That way, you don’t have to guess or estimate like you would with analog thermostats. Moreover, you may appreciate the monthly records reporting the duration operated by the HVAC for heating and cooling purposes. Also, it allows you to use this information to compare with other homes in your area and ensure you are getting billed accurately.
The Temperature is Adjusted Automatically.
Unlike analog thermostats that get the HVAC overloaded when you change the settings one too many times, the smart thermostat does not use that approach. Instead, it changes the temperature automatically. Some will even study your temperature preferences and make those adjustments accordingly to customize a schedule for your personal needs and lifestyle. Although, when installed for the first time, they adapt steadily while increasing the pace to allow your appliances time to adjust to a more comfortable temperature. After the analog thermostats get overloaded, they tend to go into overdrive to combat the temperature outside to ensure you are comfortable in your home. However, that will make energy consumption increase, especially during the Texas summer and winter seasons. This is a sign to consider upgrading to a smart thermostat.
Owning A Smart Thermostat Means You Can Get Rebates.
Note that this does not happen with all utility companies and providers, but a lot of them do offer rebates for installing smart and energy-efficient devices and appliances. You will need to inquire to determine if they do offer a rebate for a smart thermostat and what the process is to claim. Often, it’s just proof of purchase and an online form to submit with your account information. The rebate is usually automatically credited to your bill.
They Are Good for The Environment.
If you believe in environmental conservation, investing in a smart thermostat is the path you should take. Your Texas energy bills can reduce significantly, and you will enjoy the increased convenience of automation and not having to worry about all the manual adjustments the older analog devices required.
Remember, by choosing a great electricity power plan you already are saving on your Texas electricity rates and adding efficient appliances which can include a smart thermostat, you’ll be in great shape during the hot Texas summer and reduce the amount you spend on energy bills.
