Trying to stay cool this summer? Keeping your family comfortable doesn’t have to mean high energy use. Smart thermostats are a great way to make the most of Wi-Fi-enabled appliances, and a great way to reduce your home’s energy usage and cooling costs year-round!

Here’s how to make the most of your thermostat, and some pros and cons of each thermostat type: 

Analog Thermostat:

Set your thermostat at a comfortable temperature that provides humidity control, if needed. Also, keep your house warmer than normal when you are away and lower the thermostat setting when you return home and need cooling, and avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you first turn on your air conditioner.

Pro:

• The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.

Con:

• It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

Programmable Thermostats:

In the summer, you can keep your house warmer than normal when you are away and set your programmable thermostat to automatically switch to your desired temperature 30 minutes before you arrive home.

Pros

• Save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting!

• Another advantage of programmable thermostats is that they will automatically adjust based on the schedule you set it at.

Cons:

The upfront cost is typically higher- while this upgrade does lead to superior energy use, you’ll pay upfront for the convenience.

Setup can be time consuming and difficult.

Finally, the increasingly popular, Smart Thermostat:

Pros:

• Like programmable thermostats, you can program a set schedule that the smart thermostat will follow, adjusting the temperature according to your preferred settings.

• Temperature changes can also be made in advance if you’re going to be on vacation or away from your home for an extended period.

• You can use your phone or smart device to adjust the thermostat’s temperature from anywhere you have an internet connection.

• Most smart thermostats monitor your energy use and will suggest ways you can save.

• Some models have geofencing features, which works great for people who don’t have a set daily schedule. With this feature, smart thermostats can recognize when you leave and when you’re arriving, and will adjust the settings automatically for you.

• Certain “learning” smart thermostats will begin to learn your preferences and routines over time. Eventually, these learning thermostats won’t need to be pre-programmed or adjusted daily. By monitoring your routine, they’ll make changes on their own according to what you like.

Con:

• Installing a smart thermostat requires a little bit of elbow grease. If you’re not comfortable with handling the wires or navigating studs and drywall, get in touch with out Marketplace team to find a contractor to make this process easier and see how the savings add up over time.

So, how does all of this apply to you? No matter what kind of thermostat you own, we want you to enjoy increased Energy savings and comfort, but if you are up for even greater savings regardless of the season, considering the advantages of these smart features certainly pays off over time. Whether you’re looking to install or upgrade your thermostat, consider paying our Marketplace a visit to browse the ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostats available, and then just watch how the savings add up over time. Visit our website to learn more- we look forward to your visit. Until then, happy saving!