Smart thermostats are one of the most popular new trends in the heating and cooling world. It’s not a necessary purchase for many, but for others, they love having one in their home. In what situation is a smart thermostat worth the investment?
Your Current Thermostat
Is your current thermostat in working order and doing its job? If an upgrade isn’t an immediate requirement, you can choose to hold off if you need. If the features of a smart thermostat, like total control from your phone, voice assistant, or micro-managing your HVAC features, the investment may feel worth it. It boils down to personal preference.
Reasons to Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
High-tech features around your home are fun and exciting. They can even increase your home’s resale value if you’re planning on selling anytime soon. If you don’t love your current thermostat and you need to replace it, it’s become non-functional or doesn’t allow programming options, then a smart thermostat might be a significant upgrade. If you can utilize its features properly, you can set it to turn down the heat when you’re not home or sleeping and ultimately save money on your bill. These features are also handy if you’re forgetful and don’t pay much attention to your home’s temperature unless you’re uncomfortable. Smart thermostats are a simple solution to challenging problems because they’re easy to use. They don’t take a lot of time to learn or program. They work without you needing to check on them continually.
Reasons to Stick with Your Current Thermostat
Unless you’re interested in all the features, a regular thermostat will do the job just fine. The old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” is a prime example in this case. If you’re not a tech-savvy person, having a smart thermostat will be a wasted investment, as you may not know how to get the most of every benefit it has. A less expensive programmable thermostat will work just fine if that’s what you’re looking for, and it’ll cost you a fraction of what a typical smart thermostat will.
Before Installing a Smart Thermostat
If you decide to upgrade and go smart, there are a couple of things to check in your home before doing so. Suppose your current thermostat location is in a spot that gets direct sunlight, right under a vent, or near something that emits heat like a TV. In that case, you may want to look into putting it in a different location, as this can cause it to read the wrong temperatures and not do its job accurately. Moving your thermostat isn’t always the easiest job and may require a professional, but it’s worth it if you can do it. Another area to check is your HVAC system. If you live in a two-story home or larger property, you should check and adjust your HVAC dampers before installing a smart thermostat. Each room should be heated and cooled evenly. Ensuring your vents are clean, changing your filters regularly, and having a professional maintain your system is key to having it last as long as possible.
There’s no correct answer to whether a smart thermostat is worth it because it’s up to you. If you are going to use all the features, benefit from having access to it from your phone, and it’ll save you money on your bills, then it’s a smart upgrade. If you don’t think you’ll use any of the features, a simple programmable thermostat is perfectly fine for your home.
