Scorching summer days can make your home feel stuffy and unbearable, and running your air conditioner around the clock can make quite a dent in your energy bill.
Fortunately, we have a very cool piece of technology called a smart thermostat that can help keep you comfortable this summer while also saving you money. Here are some of the top reasons why you must consider installing a smart thermostat.
Automatic Temperature Adjustments
Smart thermostats can make changes to the temperature without you having to lift a finger. Many have built-in learning algorithms that learn your heating and cooling preferences. This ensures the home is comfortable according to your family’s unique schedule.
Remote Access Through a Smartphone
Smart thermostats connect to the internet, meaning you can remotely access them from your smartphone. Remote access makes it simple to make adjustments on the go. For example, if you leave the house and realize you forgot to adjust the thermostat, you can log into the app and change the temperature.
This feature is especially useful when you’re at work or on vacation. It’s also useful during summer parties; you can adjust the temperature without having to constantly walk to the thermostat. Remote control gives you total control over your home’s comfort in real-time.
Energy Usage Tracking
Smart thermostats come with insightful energy tracking. You can look at reports to see patterns and understand when your AC uses the most power. This info makes it easier to adjust your schedule to save energy and money.
Let’s say you receive an energy report that shows a spike in usage during the late afternoon. With this info, you’ll know to raise the temperature slightly during that time so the AC doesn’t work as hard. Seeing the numbers helps lower your bills and cut waste.
Lower Cooling Bills
By automatically adjusting the temperature, smart thermostats prevent unnecessary cooling. This means the AC doesn’t kick on as much and doesn’t use as much energy. Many people watch their cooling bills decrease by as much as 15% when using smart thermostats. Even small adjustments can make big changes in energy use over time.
Integration With Smart Home Devices
By integrating the HVAC with Alexa or Google, you can do temperature adjustments using your voice. Syncing with smart lights lets the thermostat make adjustments based on whether a room is in use. When the lights are off, the thermostat knows to change the temperature to save energy. Syncing the thermostat with smart plugs lets you set your appliances to turn on/off based on temperature settings.
For example, turning on a fan when it gets too hot. Integrating with smart speakers makes it simple to use your voice all across the house to control the thermostat. Syncing with smart blinds keeps the house cooler in the summer by blocking out excessive sunlight. Smart camera syncing will detect when someone enters the home and alert the thermostat to adjust the temperature. Smart homes aren’t just fancy — they’re practical, especially in hot weather.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
The more efficiently and effectively that your AC works, the better the indoor air quality in your home will be. A smart thermostat helps the AC operate with peak efficiency at all times. This is paramount to having good airflow and stopping mold and allergens from spreading. Some smart thermostat models even sync with whole-home air purifiers or dehumidifiers for enhanced air quality control. This is particularly helpful during the summer when pollen and pollutants are at their highest. You’ll breathe easier, sleep better and feel more comfortable.
Zoned Temperature Control
Smart thermostats make it possible to set up a zoned HVAC configuration. This lets you control each zone throughout the home with different temperatures. If you prefer a cooler bedroom, but your kids prefer their rooms warmer, the zoned HVAC keeps everyone happy. You can even program schedules for each zone based on daily routines. You won’t have to worry at all about cooling parts of the home that aren’t in use.
Vacation Mode Settings
Most smart thermostats come with a vacation mode. You simply activate it and the thermostat automatically raises the temperature while you’re gone. This is key to preventing problems with humidity, like mold growth and musty odors. If you tell the thermostat what day you’re returning home, it’ll even cool your house in advance. When used strategically, the vacation mode works great for saving energy and maintaining air quality.
Real-Time Weather Adaptation
The weather in American Fork, UT, can get pretty unpredictable during the summer. It’s not uncommon for it to be sunny in the morning and then stormy by afternoon. The temperature changes can make it difficult to cool your home without using excess energy. With a smart thermostat, you get access to real-time weather adaptation. If a heatwave starts to roll in, the thermostat tells the AC to cool earlier in the day to stay ahead of the heat. This kind of smart adjustment keeps your home ready for all weather events.
Alerts for Maintenance Needs
All air conditioners, even ductless versions, need regular maintenance to maintain their efficiency. A smart thermostat can provide maintenance alerts to ensure you stay on top of filter changes and other routine tasks. You’ll be able to catch problems like restricted airflow and refrigerant issues early on.
This is crucial to keeping minor issues from escalating into expensive repairs. Many models even provide maintenance alerts for coil cleaning and drain line clogs. You’ll know exactly when to schedule a tune-up so that the AC performs with the highest efficiency possible all summer long.
Enhanced Humidity Control
Keeping the humidity in check is a major part of keeping your house comfortable. Even though high humidity isn’t a frequent problem during Utah summers, you still might deal with excess indoor moisture.
This is common for homes with basements and those with limited ventilation. Thankfully, there are smart thermostats that work with whole-home dehumidifiers. When it notices too much moisture in the air, it will alert the dehumidifier to kick on. Your home will feel cooler without having to crank up the AC and use more energy.
AC Lasts Longer
Ultimately, smart thermostats optimize temperature control, So, the AC doesn’t have to work as hard. It won’t kick on and off as much because the thermostat learns your habits and adjusts gradually.
And because it will experience less wear and tear, the parts won’t wear out as fast. Over time, this can add years to your AC’s lifespan. It also translates into less time and money spent on repairs and replacements. More importantly, you won’t have to fret about inconvenient breakdowns during the hottest part of the year.
Contact the Experts
Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing is here to answer any questions you have about smart thermostats. We offer thermostat installations, calibration, and much more. Make sure to check out our specials and financing options.
Upgrade your home with a smart thermostat today! Call Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing now to book a smart thermostat installation with American Fork’s best heating and cooling company.
