Most people know that they can reduce energy costs by adjusting their thermostat when no one is home and during sleep. Although programmable thermostats have been around for some time, there is now a thermostat that goes a step beyond: the smart thermostat.

What’s the Difference Between Programmable and Smart Thermostats?

Both thermostats allow you to create set schedules that adjust the temperature in your home. However, a smart thermostat can do more than just follow pre-set programs. Smart thermostats connect to the Internet. Therefore, once you download its app, you’ll be able to use your mobile device to control your thermostat from anywhere.

What Are the Features of a Smart Thermostat?

A basic smart thermostat allows you to control your temperature via the Internet. The more advanced smart thermostats can actually learn from the behaviors of those in the home.

All smart thermostats provide a way for you to create a program that adjusts your home’s temperature at certain times on a particular day. Being able to create a program based on the day ensures that you can have different settings for the days when you know someone will be home. For example, if you have children, you’ll want to create a specific program for Saturday and Sunday because they’ll be home. You could even create a program for when you go away on vacation.

Your thermostat may also:

• Learn your routine and recommend program changes.
• Adjust the temperature based on the home's humidity levels.
• Manage hot and cold spots in the home.
• Use motion detectors to determine whether someone is in the home and adjust the temperature accordingly.
• Give detailed information about your energy consumption.
• Connect with other smart devices.
• Begin adjusting the temperature to ensure that your home is comfortable when you arrive.

Choose an ENERGY STAR-Certified Smart Thermostat

An ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostat can save you more money than a programmable one because it’s compatible with electricity management programs. This means that it may be able to limit energy use during times of high demand, which helps reduce your heating and cooling costs. However, if you want to purchase a smart thermostat with this ability, be sure to contact your utility provider to see if this service is available in your area.

ENERGY STAR-certified thermostats are also environmentally friendly.

Reducing Your Energy Costs

According to the Department of Energy, to reduce energy costs, you should set your sleeping and away temperatures 7 to 10 degrees higher in the summer and 7 to 10 degrees lower in the winter. If you do this at least eight hours a day, you could decrease your energy costs by 10%.

How Much Does a Smart Thermostat Cost?

Prices range from $35 to $300: The price of a smart thermostat depends on its features and whether it’s ENERGY STAR certified.

Choosing a Smart Thermostat

As long as your HVAC system was installed after 1975, you should be able to find a compatible smart thermostat. However, make sure the model you choose is compatible with your specific type of system.

You’ll find the installation instructions in the thermostat’s user manual. However, if you have a multi-staged or variable-speed HVAC system, or your system has zones for different rooms in your home, you may want to have a professional install your thermostat.

Programming Your Smart Thermostat

Before you start programming your thermostat, review your family’s schedule. For example, if you have children, what time do they head off to school? When will they return home? To make things easier, consider grabbing a piece of paper and jotting this information down. After you document these times, determine when everyone is sleeping and what time they awaken.

Now you can use the application you downloaded to program your smart thermostat. You’ll create a temperature schedule for each day of the week: just choose the day, the time, and the temperature.

Example settings for a cooler month:

Monday

• 6 am set to 72 degrees Fahrenheit—Everyone is waking up.
• 8:30 am set to 65 degrees Fahrenheit—Kids are off to school, and you’re heading to work.

The temperature remains at 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

• 2:30 pm set to 72 degrees Fahrenheit—Kids are coming home.
• 10 pm set to 65 degrees Fahrenheit—Everyone is in bed.

Once you finish programming your thermostat, don't forget to turn on its other features:

Home and away: Your thermostat can connect to motion sensors to see if someone is home or locate your smartphone to make sure your home's temperature is optimal when you arrive.

Voice assistance: This feature allows you to ask your thermostat to make temperature changes.

Occupancy sensors: These sensors determine the high-traffic areas of your home and then prioritize managing them without affecting comfort levels in the rest of the home.

Stream music: Some smart thermostats have a speaker to stream music.

Make sure automatic updates remain on: Updates ensure your thermostat provides you with the most recent energy-saving features.

Temperature sensors: Temperature sensors allow the thermostat to manage temperature differences in the home. These sensors can also make adjustments based on occupancy or room temperature.

Now you can enjoy all the benefits your smart thermostat brings!