Keeping the interior of your Phoenix, AZ home safe and comfortable can be costly. With triple-digit heat from June through September and wintertime lows in the mid-40s, your HVAC system accounts for the largest portion of your energy bill. Fortunately, you can curb your heating and cooling costs without altering your habits or preferences. Smart thermostats help Arizona residents save money in multiple ways.
Pre-Set Your Preferred Temperature Changes
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), you can reduce your HVAC-related energy costs by adjusting your thermostat setting when leaving home or going to bed. According to the DOE, adjustments of 7 to 10 degrees when you’re at work or asleep won’t greatly alter your comfort. But they can reduce your energy bill by up to 10%. You can set a smart thermostat to make these changes for you automatically.
Eliminate Human Error
Pre-scheduled temperature adjustments with a smart thermostat eliminate human error. You won’t have to manually set your thermostat before dashing out. Best of all, your AC, heat pump, or furnace will kick into action before you arrive to create your ideal, at-home temperature.
Smart Thermostats Are Learning Devices
Programmable and Wi-Fi thermostats also offer preset temperature changes. But as learning devices, smart thermostats outmatch them. Smart thermostats track occupancy, resident preferences, and resident behaviors. They use motion sensors and machine learning/AI algorithms to refine their performance according to household needs. Over time, these devices become increasingly adept at adjusting themselves.
Maintain the Level of Control You Want
With a smart thermostat, you can get a self-governed, set-it-and-forget-it, temperature control solution. In this state, your thermostat will work around-the-clock to optimize your energy savings and your home comfort according to your preferences and goals. However, you can always manually adjust your thermostat if your needs or wants suddenly change. You can also reset your thermostat’s performance parameters. Smart thermostats allow homeowners to maintain the level of control they want at all times.
Remote Access and Control
Every smart thermostat comes with a branded mobile app. You can download this app to your laptop, mobile phone, smartwatch, or other Internet-connected device. Use your smart thermostat’s app to monitor your thermostat and HVAC system’s performance in real time and from any location. With remote access, you can adjust temperature settings, alter your smart thermostat’s performance, and even tweak its integration with other smart home features.
Correct Unauthorized Temperature Changes
For homeowners, few things are more annoying than having residents crank thermostats way up or way down while they’re away. If your teens or other household occupants adjust your thermostat while you’re working, you can reset your temperature setting remotely. This is a great way to save energy and enjoy constant peace of mind.
Established Authorized Thermostat Users
Many smart thermostats also allow homeowners to establish pre-authorized users. Each authorized user can enjoy remote monitoring and adjustments. You can also give authorized users access to in-person, manual adjustments only. This allows those who pay energy bills to maintain complete control over HVAC-related energy use.
Get HVAC Performance Alerts
You can stay up to date with your HVAC system’s performance via real-time performance alerts. You’ll get these when opening your mobile app. You can also set your app to send notifications at timed intervals or when significant changes occur. If your air conditioner or heat pump starts short-cycling or overheating, you’ll know right away and can take immediate action.
With performance alerts, homeowners can schedule air conditioning or heating repair service before minor issues spiral out of control. Timely interventions curb unnecessary energy use. They also protect the lifespan of HVAC equipment and can lead to lower repair costs.
The performance data from a smart thermostat can inform your maintenance and repair decisions. HVAC technicians can leverage this data to inform and expedite their diagnoses, too.
Smart Thermostats Provide Indoor Air Quality Alerts, Too
Some smart thermostats also offer real-time indoor air quality (IAQ) alerts. These devices monitor concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), airborne particulates, and other common pollutants.
IAQ alerts help consumers ensure the health and safety of their living spaces, but they also support energy savings. Many HVAC-related IAQ problems are the result of dirty air filters, blocked or closed air vents, and other issues that impact efficiency and performance. Upon receiving IAQ alerts, you can swap out dirty air filters or perform other troubleshooting measures that alleviate operational stress and enhance efficiency.
Service Alerts
According to the DOE, simply replacing your HVAC air filter can improve the performance of your air conditioner and heater by up to 15%. Regular tune-up service greatly enhances these efficiency gains. Unfortunately, routine HVAC maintenance can fall by the wayside when homeowners have busy schedules and other distractions. With a smart thermostat, you’ll get timely service reminders and can schedule pre-season maintenance for optimum seasonal performance.
Air Filter Reminders
In addition to IAQ alerts, smart thermostats send regular air filter reminders. According to HVAC equipment manufacturers, it’s important to inspect standard air filters monthly and replace them every one to three months. A smart thermostat will help you stay on top of this demanding schedule. By tracking and reporting IAQ changes, it can also help you determine the best filter replacement schedule for your home and household.
Energy Consumption Reports
Smart thermostats track energy consumption. With detailed energy consumption reports, homeowners can make informed decisions about heater, heat pump, and AC replacement. They can also make targeted temperature adjustments to curb their energy spending and lower their carbon footprints.
Enhance Your HVAC Zoning Plan
HVAC zoning divides homes into several service areas. With an independently controlled thermostat in each area, homeowners can avoid heating or cooling empty spaces. Residents can also refine temperatures in their immediate areas to suit their preferences. Smart thermostats optimize zoning system performance with remote access, energy tracking for each zone, and other enhanced functions.
Geofencing
Some smart thermostats additionally offer geofencing. Geofencing establishes virtual perimeters around homes and around individual service areas. Smart thermostats then track residents’ movements within these perimeters and adjust themselves accordingly. For instance, if you dash out of the home unexpectedly, your smart thermostats will automatically revert to your “away” setting. If you retire to an upstairs bedroom after watching TV downstairs, your smart thermostats will direct conditioned air away from your former location to your current one.
Smart Home Integration
You can seamlessly integrate a smart thermostat with your other smart home features. This allows for enhanced efficiency, control, and convenience. With smart home integration, you can control your thermostats and all other smart devices from a single hub. You can also combine smart home alerts and coordinate your thermostat with other energy-saving features like smart lights and smart window treatments.
Since 2006, Cool Zone Air Conditioning & Heating has proudly served Phoenix and the surrounding communities with expert AC and heating service. We offer and install high-quality and high-performing smart thermostats from the nation’s most-trusted brands. We’re a factory-authorized Carrier Dealer and members of the APS, the Peoria Chamber of Commerce, and the Arizona Heat Pump Council. To learn more about us or schedule an appointment for smart thermostat installation, contact Cool Zone Air Conditioning & Heating today.
