Technology is great at making life easier, and advancements have made it so it can now be used to make you more comfortable. There are a lot of growing options for smart thermostats and HVAC controllers out there, with benefits and drawbacks to these systems. Every home has different needs and a different budget, so it’s important to make an educated decision before opting to go with one of these systems for your own home.
We all want lower energy bills while maintaining the same level of comfort in our homes, but smart thermostats can deliver a lot more information about the heating and cooling of your home. This can help you make adjustments to how you heat and cool your living area, but there are also questions of cost and compatibility to your space. Understanding how one of these smart systems can help with Denver air conditioning can go a long way in saving you money on your energy bills in the ever-changing Colorado climate.
Benefit: Energy Efficiency
One of the biggest advantages of smart thermostats or smart HVAC controllers is their ability to optimize your energy use. These devices enable you to set the temperature throughout different times throughout the day – whether you’re at home or not. This allows the system to understand your patterns and adjust the temperature settings accordingly. By optimizing when you run your HVAC system, it can reduce unnecessary energy consumption when you’re not at home.
Smart thermostats allow you to create customized heating and cooling schedules based on these routines, and some can also control the temperature in individual zones. This allows you to keep the temperatures lower in areas that don’t get used often, reducing that energy consumption even more. By programming all of these various situations, the system will make sure that you’re not wasting any energy when you’re away from home, but also when you’re not occupying a particular space.
Drawback: Higher Upfront Cost
While these systems might be able to save you some money in the long run due to the energy efficiency, one of the drawbacks is a higher upfront cost compared to more traditional thermostats. That makes this type of system an investment, and that investment will fluctuate depending on how advanced of a model you want to purchase and install in your home.
Basic models still have essential features that allow you to schedule heating and cooling based on your schedule, but some more advanced models are required if you need additional sensors, integration with your current system, or other energy-saving features like zoning. There is no denying the potential for savings on energy bills, but it may take a while to recoup the initial investment. That can be a turnoff for some people, depending on their current financial situation and budget. Check with your trusted HVAC professional to find out what system might be the best for your individual situation.
Benefit: Remote Operation
Smart thermostats also allow you to control your heating and cooling remotely through a smartphone app or website interface. This is a great feature for convenience, allowing you to adjust temperatures when you’re away from home. Not only does this allow you to get your heating and cooling to be on the same page as your busy schedule, but you can also adjust it on the fly. It’s perfect for those unexpected chilly Colorado days so you can return to a nice and cozy home.
In case of extreme weather conditions or other unexpected events, you can keep your home safe and comfortable, even if you aren’t present. If you’re away from home for an extended period of time, this also allows you to keep tabs on your HVAC system to ensure it’s working properly while you’re away. Curbing excessive energy consumption is much easier with the remote control, and it can be used to really focus in your schedule to optimize that important energy efficiency.
Drawback: Complexity
There are a lot of different things smart thermostats and HVAC controllers can do, particularly through the app on the smartphone or web. However, some of these things might seem complex to some users that are more comfortable dealing with more traditional thermostats. These systems can take some getting used to, and may need more attention while you’re dialing in the system to your individual preferences.
There are a multitude of features and settings with smart thermostats, and those can get overwhelming for those who prefer simplicity. In time, the smart thermostat won’t require as much attention – when it understands and works within your desired specifications – but there can be a learning curve right after its installed. There are a number of benefits to the advanced features and customizable options with smart HVAC controllers, but some may find them overwhelming. There will likely be some form of technical support to help with these questions, but it can still be frustrating for those that aren’t tech savvy.
Benefit: Programmable Schedules
While not everyone might be wild about setting up different schedules, these can be a great feature once you get them programmed to your specifications. Every family has different, busy schedules between all of its family members, and you can tailor your home’s comfort to your lifestyle. Lower the temperature when everyone is at work or school, and make it a bit more comfortable when most or all of the family is at home.
It’s already been mentioned how these programmable schedules can help with energy efficiency, but they can also be detailed right down to the days of the week. Once these schedules are set, you’ll be back to the “set it and forget” mode that you were used to with more traditional thermostats. The difference is that these schedules are more detailed, allowing you for optimal comfort without constantly tinkering with it every time someone seems chilly. Zero in the right temps for the right times of day, and everyone in the family should feel optimal comfort without wasting any energy.
Drawback: Must Have Internet Connectivity
Smart thermostats feature handy mobile applications and web interfaces to allow you to set the right comfort level for any time of day. However, those features rely on being connected to the internet. Without a stable internet connection, those apps won’t function properly, and that could cause an interruption in those remote capabilities until service is restored. This might seem like a marginal inconvenience, but it’s important to recognize in case there’s a loss in service for an extended period of time.
These types of thermostats can also be integrated with other smart home devices and systems, and lack of internet connectivity can break the communication between these devices. Most systems have protective measures in place, but because the system is connected to the internet, there is the chance of cybersecurity threats. Internet connectivity adds convenience and functionality to the whole system, but it’s important to understand that there are potential risks.
Benefit: Data Insights
Smart thermostats will also gather and store data on your energy usage. This can help you track patterns and potentially identify ways to even further improve your energy efficiency. These will tell you when you’re using the most energy and how much is being used when nobody’s home. Understanding these patterns can help you make more informed decisions about energy saving opportunities to take advantage of by altering your thermostat or schedules.
These data insights can also help smart thermostats identify when there might be abnormalities in your HVAC system’s performance. Many of these programs can provide alerts or notifications when something changes within the system. This can include excessive or abnormal runtime, uncommon temperature fluctuations, or even some equipment malfunctions. By identifying these problems early, the consumer might be able to address them before the issue escalates into costly repairs or system failures.
Drawback: Compatibility
Not all HVAC systems are compatible with smart thermostats. Older systems or those with types of proprietary protocols may not work with certain models. This may require additional equipment or professional installation. Another example of compatibility issues might be that smart system won’t work with a system that uses high voltage wiring. Because of the aforementioned internet connectivity, your home Wi-Fi network has to work within the smart thermostat’s system requirements, too.
Over time, the software for your smart thermostat will also require upgrades. There is a chance this may change the compatibility requirements from the manufacturer. Not all manufacturers are created equal, so it’s crucial to make sure you choose a smart thermostat from a reputable source that provides regular updates and support to address these compatibility issues. It’s always essential to check out the compatibility of a smart thermostat with your specific HVAC system before buying one.
The convenience and functionality of smart thermostats and HVAC controllers is unparalleled, and the technology is improving every day. There might be a learning curve to having a smart thermostat in your home, but there are a lot of benefits once it’s running based on your conditions. For more information on smart thermostats and how they work, reach out to the experts at Go Green Heating & Air Conditioning today.