Install Smart Thermostat
One of the easiest ways to save energy and lower your impact is to turn down the heat or AC when you’re not home. A Smart Thermostat makes this easy and does so much more—creating a more comfortable home and saving you up to 15% on your home heating and cooling bill.
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
Nearly half of the average home energy bill goes towards heating and cooling your home. Smart thermostats can generally save up to 15% on your heating and cooling bill and pay for themselves in 2 years or less. Smart thermostats can accommodate most heating and cooling systems, and only require a few hours to buy, install, and setup. Cost is typically around $150 - $250 for the thermostat, more if you hire someone for the installation. Rebates are often available. This is one of the smartest ways to save and lower your impact. Read on to learn more.
1Learn about smart thermostats features
Smart thermostats automate your heater and AC setting. You don’t need to program a complicated schedule. Just set your preferred temperatures for when you are home, sleeping and away and then forget about it. The thermostat will do the rest. So how do they do this?
They learn. Smart thermostats learn your habits as you use them and create a schedule based on your preferences. For example, over time the unit learns that you usually turn the heat up to 68 °F around 7 am and down to 58 °F at 10 pm. Then it begins to do it automatically.
They know when you are home (and when you’re gone). Smart thermostats use a feature called Geofencing. You set a perimeter around your house (your home zone) and your thermostat uses your smartphone to know when you are within this perimeter. If everyone leaves the house, it turns down the heat or AC. When the first person comes home, as soon as they are in the “home zone”, the heat or AC turn on to make your house cozy and comfortable when you arrive. If you all head to your neighbor's house for dinner, your heat may not turn down. Generally, geofencing does not track your location but just has a notification that says you are either Home or Away.
They are connected. Smart thermostats connect to your home WiFi system so you can control your thermostat anytime, from anywhere through the thermostat app on your smartphone. You may still wonder that first night on vacation if you left the stove on, but you will never worry about whether you left the heat up! They also work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home or other smart home assistants to provide voice control.
They are smart. Smart thermostats track all of your data on energy use in the home and can make recommendations to you on how to save energy. They also provide monthly reports on your energy use.
They are easy to use. Smart thermostats make install, set up, and use easy. No complicated schedules or setup. Just easy to follow, simple steps.
2Find the right smart thermostat for your home
Smart thermostats differ a bit. Here are some tips on finding the right one for your home:
Find one that works with your heating & cooling system. Not every programmable thermostat will work with the heating or cooling system you have. To find a compatible thermostat, first, determine the type of heating and/or cooling system you have. The most common system is central heat (or heat and air). Other types include electric baseboard, floor/wall furnace, heat pump or radiant floor heating. If you are not sure, ask the company who installed it or does repairs. Take your heating and cooling system make and model information with you when you shop. Most stores that sell thermostats will be able to help you identify which model will work for you.
Want to research compatible thermostat models yourself? Typically, you will need to know your system’s specific voltage and the number of heating and cooling stages it has. If you have a specific thermostat in mind, visit the company's website to determine if it is compatible with your heating system.
C-wire. Smart thermostats generally use a bit more power than traditional thermostat units. For this reason, they often need to have a connection to a “C wire” to provide additional power. Before you decide on a unit, check to see if it requires a C wire or provides an adapter if you don’t have one. If it requires a C wire and does not provide an adapter, check your current thermostat to see if you have a C wire available (sometimes it is in the wall right behind your current thermostat if not in use). If you have any questions, ask an electrician for assistance.
Features. Make sure the one you choose has the features that are important to you. Most have the features mentioned above—learning, geofencing, WiFi remote and voice control—but check to make sure. A few other features to consider: an easy one-button vacation set up, keypad lock and an indicator light to alert when it’s time to replace your air filter.
Ease of installation. Most smart thermostats are easy to install, but check to make sure the model you choose fits this requirement. Install should be similar with all smart thermostats.
Sensors. Some smart thermostats offer additional sensors you can place around the house to make sure your home is comfortable everywhere you spend most of your time. Often the thermostat is located in a hallway or other area that is not necessarily where you are. If this location is generally colder or warmer than the rest of the house, that can keep the thermostat from providing the heat or cooling you need. Adding sensors around the house provides the thermostat more info to make good decisions about temperature settings.
3Buy and install your smart thermostat
Here are a few tips on installing your programmable thermostat. Be sure to check the instructions that come with your model and follow them! Also, hire a professional if needed. It generally takes only an hour or two for the install and less time for programming.
Multiple thermostats. If your home has multiple thermostats, often called “zones”, it is generally better to replace all of them with programmable thermostats to maximize comfort and energy savings.
Thermostat location. The optimal location for your thermostat is on an interior wall, away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights, windows, lamps, TVs, or other heat-emitting appliances. If you are replacing a thermostat, most likely you will use the same location for your new one. However, if your current location is not ideal, it is worth taking a moment to consider moving it. This will likely require an electrician for some wiring work. Or choose a model with sensors you can put around the house to help your thermostat with more information on the temperature inside your home.
Installation. Can you DIY this project? Likely. Most thermostats run on low voltage and are easy to install yourself, but it still requires you to work with electricity. To get an idea of what’s involved with a low voltage installation, watch the video How to Install a Smart Thermostat. This video is an example to help you get an idea of the install process. However, if you choose to install the unit yourself, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and videos for the unit you choose! Check to see if you need a permit and observe all applicable building and electrical codes. Contact a licensed electrician if you have any doubts about the install, questions on the connections, or if your wiring doesn’t appear compatible with the new thermostat.
Safety. A few additional safety notes. If your thermostat requires higher voltage lines, it is likely not compatible with a smart thermostat! Check with a professional to find your options. Also, if you are replacing an old manual thermostat that has a mercury switch, be careful not to break the tube that holds this toxic substance. Contact your local hazardous materials center for advice on proper disposal.
4Setup your thermostat & connect to the app!
Once you have your thermostat installed, it will walk you through the initial setup. This typically requires you to enter some basic information about your heating and cooling system and pick your preferred temperatures. When you set up your thermostat, consider the recommended temperature ranges below to save energy and lower your impact.
Winter Settings. Some recommended settings for the winter months are 68°-70°F when you’re at home and 55°F when you are away during the day. If you are away on vacation in the winter, set your thermostat to 50°-55°F, but don’t turn it off. This protects pipes from freezing in the winter.
Summer Settings. In the summer, some recommended settings are 75°-78°F while you’re at home and 85°F when you’re away during the day. For most climates, you can turn your thermostat off while away on summer vacation. However, if temperatures get above 90°F and humidity levels are high, keep your system on and temperature set to 85°F. This will protect your home from developing mold and mildew.
Sleeping. For sleeping, settings depend on your comfort zone. The recommended settings for night time are 55-60° in the winter and 80-85° in the summer. However, if you find yourself waking up cold or hot and having trouble sleeping, adjust until you are comfortable and sleep soundly. The goal—comfort and sound sleep!
Download the App. Smart thermostats allow you to set and adjust the temperature easily from your smartphone, providing you even more convenience. Simply download the app for your specific thermostat, connect it to your unit and get started!
Extra Credit: Be Heat Wise and Stay Cool! There are other simple low or no cost things you can do to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. These can help your heater or AC to work a bit less to keep your house warm and lower your energy use and impact even more! Check out the Be Heat Wise and Stay Cool actions to learn more.
Congrats! Enjoy your new cozier and more comfortable home and the energy savings on your bill! Who knew making an impact could feel so good?