Home thermostats have become more technologically advanced than they were a few years ago. Growing up, everyone had the little round Honeywell thermostat in their home. This simple little mechanical device that relied strictly on a mercury switch is ancient compared to the advanced, programmable smart thermostats available today. HomePro Inspections would like to share the advantages of today’s plethora of smart technology that you can use to manage the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling systems, as well as the cost-saving benefits they offer.
A home thermostat with intelligent technology
I recently had a new furnace and heat pump combination installed in my home. I figured my Nest thermostat would handle the new system, but the technician said that even though Nest states that it will run a system with a heat pump, they're typically problematic. With that in mind, I had a new thermostat installed that matched up with the new system.
Much like my Nest thermostat, the new one is Wi-Fi capable and can tie into my home monitoring system. In addition to controlling heating and cooling, it also has the function of running the humidifier. This is nice because I don't have to mess with two separate control units to keep the humidity under control in the wintertime.
Upgrading to a smart thermostat is a minor change that can provide many benefits, including energy efficiency, reduced heating and cooling costs, and increased comfort in your home. The following are some considerations regarding whether or not you should update your home’s thermostat.
Convenience
You can control smart thermostats either at the control panel or remotely using your smartphone. This makes it possible to control your home’s temperature, no matter where you are. Using the thermostat app, you can adjust your home's temperature when you are away. The primary reason for this convenience is also to provide a consistently comfortable environment in your home.
It is also important that I can monitor my home’s temperature when I am traveling and make adjustments according to changes in the weather.
Efficiency
The potential to increase the energy efficiency of heating and cooling your home is one of the most compelling reasons to upgrade a thermostat. The old mercury switch-style thermostats do not have the technology to efficiently keep temperatures stable. They tend to lag and overshoot their set points. Programmable thermostats allow you to program and customize your heating and cooling based on your family's lifestyle. These newer thermostats can also monitor and learn your habits, thus increasing efficiency.
With energy efficiency comes cost savings. Optimizing your heating and cooling schedules can greatly reduce your energy consumption and save you money. Energy-efficient thermostats have the potential to save you between 10% and 15% on your heating and cooling costs. Reducing your energy usage also has a huge impact on our environment.
Summary
With the technology available, you can positively impact the environment, save money on your heating and cooling costs, and make your home energy efficient and more comfortable for you and your family. The money you save by installing a new thermostat will outweigh the initial cost of upgrading.
At HomePro Inspections, our home inspectors are trained to inspect all areas of the home. Your home inspection report documents any issues found and recommends their resolution by you or a qualified professional.
Visit our website to learn more or to schedule your home inspection in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN areas. Contact us today at (507) 202-8942 or by email, and you can use our convenient online “Schedule Now” feature to schedule an appointment.