Benefits of an Automated Thermostat
Heating, cooling, and ventilation units are a type of technology. So, it only makes sense that they continue to evolve. HVAC technology has merged with the capabilities of the internet. The result is devices such as the smart thermostat.
One way to begin turning your Seattle, WA, home into a smart house is to have a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat installed. An automated thermostat offers several benefits and conveniences. At Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning, we have experience walking our clients through the device’s ins and outs. Here are a few conveniences to consider.
Automation
A thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s on and off switch. It determines when cool or hot air is going to be created by your home’s HVAC unit based on your preferences. A smart thermostat can be automated. This means that it is programmed to produce cool air when the indoor temperature reaches your parameters. Automation used to be a buzzword. Today, it is mainstream.
Automation, in terms of the workforce, means that human labor is removed from repetitive tasks. Instead, software or a machine is set up to continue completing those tasks at a consistent and an efficient rate. That human labor is then retrained to complete more productive and profitable tasks. So, for a smart thermostat, the settings are automated. This means that you, the human, no longer have to turn it on and off anymore. Instead, it does it on its own thanks to software and machine learning.
For example, if you want the indoor temperature to be 68 degrees by the time you get back from work during the week, a thermostat can be set to automatically turn on at 5 p.m. On the weekends, since you are home, the temperature can be set at 68 degrees from noon to 8 p.m.
Energy Efficiency
When a heating and cooling system does not run longer than intended, it is energy-efficient. Regular maintenance is one way to ensure that your HVAC system runs efficiently. The goal is to get the unit back to its manufacturer’s settings. A unit whose parts are not working harder than necessary can do its job without overworking. This leads to 100% output because the air filter is clean, there are no leaks, and the coil has no corrosion.
Adding a smart thermostat on top of a properly maintained system creates energy efficiency that delivers savings, too. Sometimes, you may leave to run an errand or go to work but forget to turn off the heating and cooling unit. So, the machine is running even though you are not at home. There is not much you can do about it if you cannot return to your house right away. A smart thermostat prevents this scenario from ever happening again.
A smart thermostat’s connectivity is its most popular feature. If you already have Wi-Fi in your residence and use at least one smart device like a phone or tablet, you are halfway there. Each smart thermostat has a corresponding app. Once the thermostat is installed, download the app and sync it with your internet connection and app. Then, get to know the app and set up its features. Thereafter, if you ever leave your home and you forgot to turn off the unit, you can do so from the app.
Reliable Precision
The thermostats that pre-date their smart successors have gotten the job done for several decades. Their only downfall is that they are not precise, especially as they age. Since a smart thermostat is operated by algorithms, software, and newer tech, the output is precise. When the thermostat is not functioning optimally anymore, you receive an alert to your phone from the app. The alert gives you the opportunity to have it checked out by professionals in a timely manner.
Studies conducted on manual versus smart thermostats show that the manual models can be off by five degrees. This means that even though you set the manual version at 68 degrees, it could be producing at 70 or up to 73 degrees. A smart thermostat, on the other hand, is off by only half a degree. This means that you are receiving more reliable output, which has a positive impact on your energy use and costs.
Optimize the HVAC System
When you have a smart thermostat installed, you do not have to install a new HVAC unit, too. This means that you do not have to make a large investment up front. Instead, your current unit is optimized. In many cases, the life of your current HVAC system is lengthened. As long as you ensure that it receives regular maintenance, the system in conjunction with the new thermostat is likely to deliver positive results.
Once you decide to pair a smart thermostat with a new HVAC unit, you can reap the benefits that the combination is meant to deliver. If you have thought about turning your house into a smart home, this is a good place to start. An HVAC unit is directly tied in to how comfortable you are in your residence. So, it is an important piece of your property.
System Alerts
Smart homes are gaining in popularity because they give you the ability to monitor the health of big-ticket appliances with technology. When a smart washing machine, dishwasher, or vacuum begins to falter, the software sends an alert to the owner’s smartphone through the app.
A smart thermostat includes the same feature. So, if something is wrong — an update is available or it requires maintenance — you will receive a system alert. This is a nice feature because it takes the guesswork out of maintenance, repairs, and replacements. You also receive a warning before the appliance breaks down completely.
Other alerts can be set up, too. If you leave your home and did not intend to leave the HVAC system running, you will receive an alert.
Set Up Your Own Preferences
One of the most attractive conveniences a smart thermostat offers is the ability to set up your preferences. If you want your home to be a certain temperature when you return from work, school, or errands, you can set up that preference. Simply plug it into the app.
Nothing is set in stone, either. If you have an upcoming vacation or are going to be away for the weekend, shut off your preferences so that the HVAC unit does not turn on. While you are away, if you realize that you forgot to change the settings, log into the app and manage your preferences. You can do this even if you are halfway around the world.
Since the thermostat is smart, it is going to catch on to your habits. Thanks to the software and machine learning, the device is going to predict your behavior. For example, if you always set the thermostat to 68 degrees at noon during the week, it will catch on. If you are home over the weekend and use the HVAC system more often, it will remember this, too. You will not have to make adjustments throughout the day anymore because the device automates itself.
For more information about getting started with a smart thermostat, give us a call at Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning in Seattle. We provide a full range of heating and cooling solutions as well as indoor air quality, air duct cleaning, water heater, and electrical services.
