Smart technologies have made everyday living easier than before. Smart thermostats, like all smart devices, connect to the Internet to provide a wide range of useful features. Consider these pros and cons of smart thermostats before making the switch.
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PRO: Saves Money
One of the main advantages of switching to a smart thermostat is that it can lower your energy bills. With a traditional thermostat, you need to manually readjust temperature settings from the home. Smart thermostats allow you to monitor temperatures throughout the day and adjust as needed. You can even preset the temperature on a programmable thermostat for a specific duration or time of day to reduce excess energy consumption.
Smart thermostats can also learn your schedules if you allow them to. By doing so, the thermostat can adjust its patterns to ensure your complete comfort while at home. And it does so without wasting energy heating/cooling your home to the perfect temperature if you aren’t there.
Plus, these nifty climate controllers can adjust their use based on the electricity/gas rates throughout the day. Energy pricing often fluctuates throughout the day, typically rising with demand in the evenings. Smart thermostats can take these changes into account and prioritize off-peak hours when possible, all the while keeping your living space in the “goldilocks zone” (not too hot, not too cold) when you’re home.
PRO: Easy to Use
Smart thermostats are designed with a simple interface so that anyone can use them. This makes it easy to control temperature settings, monitor your heating and cooling system, and track your energy usage. Also, once connected to wifi, you can access advanced settings from anywhere with a mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
Better still, smar thermostats work with voice controls. So if you’re feeling a bit too warm or cold in bed, you can adjust the thermostat without even opening your eyes!
CON: Might Require Professional Installation
Although smart thermostats save money and are easy to use, they are still intricate systems. Installing a smart thermostat might seem simple, but doing so requires removing the old device and rewiring the new one. Since working with electricity can be dangerous, it’s best to leave it to the professionals if you don’t know what you’re doing. HVAC technicians have all of the knowledge and experience necessary to help you move your climate control into the 21st century.
CON: Potential Safety Risk
Another consideration is that smart thermostats come with their own cybersecurity risk. Smart thermostats have weaker security features than computers or smartphones, making it easier for hackers and cyberthieves to steal personal data. While security threats are a legitimate concern, more than 10% of homeowners have a smart thermostat and only a tiny fraction of them have been victims of cyber crimes.
Smart Thermostat Without Wi-Fi
By definition, “smart” devices connect to the internet to provide a useful set of features. So while it is possible to have a smart thermostat without Wi-Fi, it would need to be connected to the internet to make use of all of the “smart” features.
On the other hand, you don’t need an internet connection to use a “smart” thermostat as long as you don’t need those extra features. You could still use the thermostats to easily program temperature schedules for the week.
However, you wouldn’t be able to monitor or adjust temperature from your smartphone or with voice controls. And a thermostat without an internet connection won’t adjust its usage according to fluctuating energy costs. That said, you’ll still be able to save money by programing the thermostat to lower the heat/ac for the times you’ll be out of the home. You’ll just have to make those adjustments manually.
Order a Smart Thermostat Today
If you’re looking for a thermostat for your home, order yours from Deljo Heating & Cooling. Our ecobee smart thermostat is designed to reduce energy consumption and lower your monthly energy bill. The ecobee thermostat also comes with a wide range of functional features, like energy monitoring, temperature settings, and mobile control. Best of all, our professional installation will get your smart thermostat up and running in no time.
Give us a call at 773-248-1144 to schedule your next appointment at your earliest convenience!
