How do I install a smart thermostat?
How to install a smart thermostat can vary widely depending on your HVAC system. You can hire a professional electrician to handle the installation or to answer any questions before you attempt the installation yourself.
That said, all of the smart thermostats I’ve tested follow a pretty consistent step-by-step process. If you’re comfortable with basic electrical work and know whether your system is compatible with the specific model you want to buy, it’s a simple DIY process.
Are smart thermostats really worth it?
Whether a smart thermostat is worth it or not depends on how you use it — and what exactly you mean by “worth it.”
Smart thermostats make it easier to use less energy and save money because of their advanced features, but you have to take advantage of those features in order to see a benefit.
Options like automatic home/away modes based on your phone’s location — or sensors in the thermostat and in remote accessories that detect proximity — can go a long way toward reducing your monthly bill. In addition, if you take the time to review the energy usage reports smart thermostat companies provide, you’ll be able to identify patterns and potentially save even more money.
But smart thermostats are also more expensive than standard non-smart models. So, you have to think long-term when it comes to savings. It could take a year or more to start saving more than you spent on a smart thermostat, especially a model like the GZAIR MC6 Smart Thermostat.
Our smart thermostats consistently adjusted the temperature, setting and mode as expected over the days I tested them. Always check with a professional electrician if you have any questions about your HVAC system’s compatibility with a particular thermostat before you install it.
What do you need to know before you buy a smart thermostat?
Smart thermostats can handle a lot of the heavy lifting for you, but you also have to put in some effort. Make sure to answer all of the questions when you configure your thermostat. Most likely you’ll be asked to set minimum and maximum temperatures, comfortable temperature ranges when you’re home and away and more.
The more details you can provide, the better chance you have of actually saving money with a smart thermostat.
Who should purchase a smart thermostat?
Smart thermostats are great if you’re trying to take more control over your energy costs. Heating is the single biggest use of energy for American homes, according to the US Energy Information Administration, and smart thermostats can ensure you’re using that energy when you need to and not using it when you don’t.