Many Atlanta residents are embracing smart thermostats at home – are you one of them? Do you know about all the features and how they work? If not, you’ll see how beneficial they are for both comfort and convenience.
Smart thermostats, also called Wi-Fi or programmable thermostats, offer a great way to automate your home’s heating and cooling and to keep tabs on your other HVAC equipment’s efficiency –not to mention they’re just plain cool! Learn more about the features of smart thermostats in this blog.
Types of Smart Thermostats
There are many types of smart thermostats available for use in Atlanta area homes. Many well-known brands in the HVAC industry have introduced smart thermostat models into their product lines, and new names have entered the smart thermostat space as well. With many available options, Atlanta homeowners need to know what to look for before upgrading to this energy-smart technology. Some of the options available with today’s smart thermostats include:
- Learning capabilities
- Geofencing
- Mobile accessibility
- Compatibility with smart home technologies
Teach Smart Thermostats Your Temperature Preferences
Over just a few days, your programmable thermostat learns everything it needs to know to deliver comfortable temperature settings that maximize household energy efficiency. It studies your schedules and your routines at home to learn what you like and what you don’t. Once the learning period is complete, sit back and relax while your smart device manages comfort settings throughout the day.
Smart thermostats always know when you’re home and when you’re away. This allows them to adjust your HVAC system to save energy while you’re away and when to automatically change to a comfortable temperature for your return.
The best part about this feature? After downloading the thermostat’s app on your smartphone or tablet, you don’t have to lift a finger to set it up — your thermostat will do this automatically through geofencing.
This important feature generates savings of as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling! Your thermostat always picks the most energy-efficient settings to generate the maximum energy savings.
Set Alerts on Smart Thermostats
One of the more useful features of smart thermostats is their ability to deliver alerts. They notify you via text or email if your home gets too hot or cold. For example, if temperatures drop and there’s a risk of your pipes freezing, you can increase the temperature to keep them warm without having to return home.
The thermostat also alerts you to HVAC system breakdowns or changes in energy consumption that signal the need for repairs. This feature is especially valuable when you’re away because you’ll know when something is wrong immediately, and you can get the service needed to protect your home and ensure a comfortable return.
Track Your Atlanta HVAC System’s Energy Usage
Smart thermostats do more than learn your temperature preferences. They also provide you with valuable information about your preferences and how it relates to HVAC system energy usage. With this information, you can make smarter usage decisions to save money on your energy bill.
Some models even monitor the efficiency of your HVAC system and alert you if the efficiency drops because of a dirty air filter, clogged condenser coils or other problem. Maintenance is required to improve efficiency, yet so many overlook these important tasks – your programmable thermostat eliminates the cost of human error.
Resolve these issues sooner to protect your HVAC system and keep energy costs low.
Incentives to Upgrade
Because smart home thermostats deliver significant energy savings for the home’s HVAC system, Atlanta homeowners are gaining even more incentive to make the switch. Qualifying customers of Georgia Power can receive a 50% rebate of up to $75 for installing a smart thermostat at home.
The Home Energy Improvement Program helps Georgia homeowners make improvements that lower energy consumption and cost. After you install your new programmable thermostat, consider other energy efficiency-enhancing updates for your home to generate even more savings on your utility bills in the future!
Set Up Voice Commands with Smart Home Devices
If you use a smart home device like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, you may be able to control your smart thermostat via voice commands through that device. Different models offer varying compatibility with today’s popular smart home hubs.
Some smart thermostats even come equipped with voice command technology, making controlling the temperature in your home hands-free. Short of opening the smartphone app to change the temperature, there’s no more convenient way to control your thermostat!
Other Cool Features of Smart Thermostats
Besides the practical and convenient features of smart thermostats, some are just fun to use! Certain models even work with multiple sensors, which can come in handy if your home has zoned heating, and you want to remotely set unique temperatures in different rooms.
Find Smart Thermostats for Your Greater Atlanta Area Home!
If you have questions about other ways to use your smart thermostat or need help with installation, the HVAC service technicians at Estes Services are here to help!
Call us today to schedule an appointment. We serve communities in Georgia such as: Midtown, Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Roswell, Druid Hills and Johns Creek.
We also work with homeowners in Dunwoody, Decatur, Marietta, Virginia Highland, Sandy Springs, Buckhead and Kennesaw.
