Sensi Smart Thermostat, Wi-Fi, Works with Amazon Alexa N12
With a smart thermostat, you can save money, time and energy by having the power to control your home’s temperature at the tips of your fingers. But aren’t there some negatives to this device? Today we’re going to talk about the pros and cons of a smart thermostat. We’re not swayed one way or the other, because it’s truly what’s best for your home and your needs.
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What Is a Smart Thermostat?
A smart thermostat is a newer gadget that has impacted the HVAC industry quite a bit! The goal is for you to be able to control the temperature of your home from your smart phone. They can cost anywhere from $100 to $400 depending on the brand and what your needs are. Although fairly new to the market, smart thermostats have multiple options ranging from budget-friendly to high voltage capability. Not only can you use it as a basic thermostat and turn it on/off manually or set a schedule with it, but you also gain additional control.
Each brand is different. Some work though sensors or heat maps which can tell if you’re home or not, and then adjust the temperature based off of that. Others sense when your phone is a certain distance away from your house, adjusting the temperature when you’re away and setting it back to normal when you’re almost home. There are also some that allow you to have more manual control, allowing you to turn the system on/off. Some also control humidifiers, dehumidifiers and fans, allowing you to control the home’s whole atmosphere.
The “smart” part of a smart thermostat is that it allows you to control all of this from your smart phone. Additionally, some thermostats even allow you to hook up to your Apple Home or Alexa for added convenience. If you’re worried that you don’t have the tech knowledge to control something like this efficiently, there are many online tutorials you can watch to gain more skill with your smart thermostat.
Why Should I Get a Smart Thermostat?
Imagine this: you just got on the road for a long weekend trip. You’re traveling about 4 hours and once you get an hour into the drive, you realize you forgot to set the thermostat higher. It’s not worth it to turn back around, but you’re bummed you won’t be saving money or energy during your time away.
With a smart thermostat, you’d be able to simply pull out your phone and adjust the temperature how you like, or just depend on your smart system to know that you’ve left the house. If you do remember to turn the temperature up before you leave, you’ll be able to turn the air back down to a comfortable temperature before arriving back home with the convenience of your smart thermostat app.
If your schedule is fairly predictable, meaning you go places around the same time each day, your smart thermostat will be able to learn your patterns and adjust the atmosphere accordingly. In this case, the device can save you money because it can adjust the air when you’re gone for as little as an hour.
If you are a seasonal resident you may find a smart thermostat quite useful to monitor your Florida home while you are away. You’ll know right away if there is a temperature or humidity problem. Catching these problems early rather than having them go undetected for days or months at a time can save you from costly mold problems and other issues.
Is a Smart Thermostat Really Worth It?
A smart thermostat isn’t for everyone. Although the device will add convenience and save you some money, some people are better off with a traditional system and some HVAC systems aren’t built to support a smart thermostat. So, how do you know?
You may be better off with a traditional system if you never seem to have the same schedule. It’s great to stay busy and active, but if you’re always leaving and coming home at different times, your smart thermostat may not be able to learn the patterns of your schedule. This doesn’t mean that slight variations in your day-to-day schedule will upset the system; it just means if your schedule is wildly different every single day, it may not be for you.
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing between a smart or traditional thermostat is if your HVAC system can support smart technology. It’s important to check that your system is compatible with the thermostat you’re considering. Smart thermostats designed to handle a central heat or air system tolerate less voltage than one controlling a baseboard system. Basically, using a non-compatible thermostat can overload your system. No need to stress – you can check on this by asking the salesperson selling you the thermostat, or by contacting Home-Tech. We’re here to answer whatever HVAC questions you may have!
What’s the Consensus?
Should you get a smart thermostat or just stick with what you have? Well, at Home-Tech, we hope to be a great resource for you to receive all the facts surrounding an HVAC or appliance decision. But in the end, you have to do what’s best for your schedule, budget and system.
If you feel you need a new, non-smart, programmable thermostat, there are plenty of those out there, too! Don’t forget – you can call on Home-Tech to answer any of these burning questions you may have. Home-Tech is also here for AC Clean & Checks and Home Warranties, which cover these unavoidable expenses.