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should I get a smart thermostatOver the past few years, it seems like more and more “smart” products have been entering the market. From phones to appliances, smart products are being created to help make our lives easier, organized and more manageable.

A relatively new smart product is the smart thermostat.  If you already have a programmable thermostat in your home, you might be wondering if you should consider an upgrade to a smart thermostat. What can these products really do that your current thermostat can’t?

What is a Smart Thermostat?

Unlike a typical programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows for full control over your home’s heating and cooling. You can manage the temperature from a remote location via smartphone, tablet or desktop application based on the time of day.

Many smart thermostats can also “learn” your behaviors. This means that you can instruct them to shut off at a certain time of day, like when the last person in the house leaves for school or work, and to come back on in time to make the house comfortable before everyone gets home for the day. A smart thermostat will allow you to view energy consumption in real-time, and some will even adjust themselves based on conditions like the humidity levels in your home.

There are two basic types of smart thermostats- the types that automatically “learn” from your behaviors and can adjust themselves accordingly, and the types that are connected to the internet for remote programming and management. Most of the better models will be a combination of both these types.

The remote interface of a smart thermostat allows you to tweak your programming so you can ensure that you’re saving as much money on your heating and cooling bills as possible. You’ll see the results immediately, too!

Should I Get a Smart Thermostat?

A smart thermostat can benefit you in a few different ways. Along with providing valuable insight into your home’s energy consumption and hopefully allowing you to reduce some of your bills, they also can make your home a lot more comfortable. You won’t have to worry about coming home to a chilly house, even if you leave the heat off for the majority of the day. The smart thermostat will tell you exactly how much time it takes your home to get to a certain temperature, so you can manage your heating system so your home is always comfortable and at the temperature you desire.

However, before you go running out to purchase a smart thermostat, know they can be on the pricier side. A good model will run anywhere from $200 to upwards of $500. While they can save you money on your energy bills in the long run, it may take a little time for the savings to offset the cost of the thermostat.

Do you have questions about your programmable thermostat or your smart thermostat? If you’re in the Cleveland area, give us a call at 216-663-6462.