We all are familiar with the term SmartPhone but as homeowners we may be less aware of the term Smart Thermostat. Let me describe what a Smart Thermostat is and more importantly its main purpose, to save you money by lowering your heating and cooling costs.
Smart Thermostats were introduced into the marketplace about 5 years ago and at present, there are numerous models available. These units raise and lower the temperature automatically in your house based on your lifestyle and daily routines. These thermostats also allow you to control your home’s temperature remotely from your computer, tablet or Smartphone that provides internet access. The only requirement is that you have a wireless router in your home as they are connected wirelessly through your Wi-Fi.
Mckinnon Heating Cooling currently installs and endorses two brands of Smart Thermostats, The Nest and Smart Thermostat from Ecobee. Both are excellent products but vary slightly in their features and the installation process.
The Nest Thermostat
The Nest has the ability to learn your habits after about one week of use and then creates a program that maximizes energy savings for you, the homeowner. It has a built-in motion sensor and knows when you are not at home or inactive in your home. The nest does all the programming itself and is very user-friendly. The Nest monitors your energy usage and provides a monthly email report on how your energy management is progressing. The report also provides useful tips and suggestions to assist you with bettering your “score”.
Smart Thermostat from Ecobee
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat is a Canadian product and is also Wi-Fi enabled and therefore can be controlled from any web browser. In addition to its many programming options, it provides an on-screen 5 day weather forecast for your area. This feature allows the thermostat to intuitively adjust the temperature based on the weather conditions.
If you are inclined to replace your old, obsolete thermostat, do yourself (and your wallet) a favour and purchase a Smart Thermostat. It will be a wise investment that will pay you a return on each and every utility bill.