In recent years, smart technology has helped us do everything from track our personal workouts to vacuum our living rooms without lifting a finger. With all the advancements in technology, it is a no-brainer for smart technology to help us make our home comfort systems more efficient. If you’re searching for a way to lower your energy bills and gain more control over your home comfort, smart thermostats are the perfect place to start.
Smart thermostats operate much like a programmable thermostat. Standard programmable models allow you to adjust temperatures to use less energy when you aren’t at home. Most of these thermostats let you set schedules for every day during the week, divide it between weekday and weekend programming or make everyday the same. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to 10 percent on your annual heating and cooling bill by utilizing a programmable thermostat.
Smart thermostats allow you even more control over your home’s comfort system. Using your smart phone and a compatible app, you can alter your home’s temperature wirelessly, no matter where you are located. That means you can adjust it if anything surprising happens—whether you’re out of town longer than you thought or the weather suddenly changes. That control, combined with the energy usage reports your smart model provides, can help you make your home even more energy efficient.
There are smart thermostats with even additional features. Depending on what you desire your thermostat to be able to do, there are a few options:
- Should it keep the temperature in your home as close as possible to your preferred setting? iComfort® systems maintain the temperature in your home within a half degree of what you set the thermostat to.
- Should it spot your location to automatically adjust temperatures when you’re away? iComfort’s Smart Away™ mode distinguishes your location using your phone and adjusts the temperature when you leave. When you’re heading home, the system changes again to make sure you’re comfortable when you get home.
- Should your device adjust to meet the climate? The iComfort Feels Like™ feature takes weather conditions like temperature and humidity into account while adjusting the comfort level in your home. That way, 72 degrees always feels like 72 degrees—regardless of what it’s like outside.
- Should it operate with your other smart devices? Some smart thermostats align with Amazon Alexa and Apple Homekit. With voice commands, you can adjust your settings without leaving the couch.
Ready to find a smart thermostat model that matches your home and lifestyle? The team at Gilray Heating and Cooling can help you get started. Contact us at 715-301-0727 to an appointment with us. We can answer any questions you have and show you the options for your home comfort system.