Pros & Cons of Wireless Smart Thermostat

The heating and cooling system of your home is the most significant energy expenditure for utilities. Unfortunately, it can be pretty expensive to maintain. This article will share the features of wireless thermostats which you may not have considered before, along with some disadvantages that warrant further research into cost-saving devices.

Pros of Wireless Smart Thermostat

1 Saves Energy

The average household spends somewhere between $1,932 and $3,861 on heating and cooling annually. According to the Department of Energy, installing a programmable thermostat can save you about 20% to 40% in energy costs. An alternative is to install a smart thermostat that uses sensors to determine whether you are home or away. It can learn your schedule in a few days, adjusting the temperature appropriately. This is one of the most energy-saving features of smart thermostats.

2 Modern and Stylish

Traditional programmable thermostats may look bulky and ugly on the wall. However, with the advancements in technology, you can find a wide array of smart thermostats that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. This is important when it comes to home aesthetics and design. They come in different colors, but they can also mimic the design of your home. This is perfect for homeowners who are particular about the appearance of their house.

3 Saves Time

Programmable thermostats can decrease your energy consumption by 5% to 12%, which in turn allows you to save up to 10% on your energy bill. What’s even better, smart thermostats can save time as well. With smart sensors, you don’t have to constantly adjust the wireless thermostat according to your schedule. Instead, these programmable devices automatically learn your habits, adjusting the humidity levels accordingly.

4 Easy to Use

Setting up a traditional programmable thermostat required some expertise and knowledge of HVAC systems. On the other hand, smart thermostats are extremely easy to install. Most of them can be installed within minutes using just a few screws. Most importantly, you don’t need to know your HVAC system to make a quick installation.

5 Customizable Features

The ability to customize is essential for most homeowners when it comes to programmable thermostats. Unfortunately, some traditional ones give you minimal functionality and customization options, which can disappoint many users. Smart thermostats manufacturers have learned from their mistakes and made sure that they don’t make the same mistake in this aspect. You can find many high-quality smart thermostats that give you the ability to customize according to your needs.

6 Clear and Helpful Alerts

Most traditional programmable thermostats don’t come with any valuable alerts. They only let you know when the device reaches a particular temperature for that day’s schedule. On the other hand, some smart thermostats come with mobile apps to access valuable alerts and notifications. You can receive various alerts, for instance, reminders when the battery is running low or if there is any problem with your HVAC system. This allows you to troubleshoot issues that may arise in the future quickly.

Cons of Wireless Smart Thermostat

1 Expensive

Although smart thermostats are more energy-efficient than the traditional programmable types, they are still costly. They average between $120 and $250 compared to $20 or less for a regular programmable wireless thermostat. For larger homes with multiple HVAC systems, this additional expenditure over time can certainly add up.

2 Cannot Be Installed by Anyone

To make a quick installation, the documentation of smart thermostats is abysmal. In most cases, you will need to know your HVAC system to install these devices. However, it may not be possible for everyone if they do not know anything about their heating and cooling systems. This means that you will either need to hire a professional installer or invest in self-installation kits.

3 Limited Compatibility

Most smart thermostats cannot be installed on systems other than those originally designed to work with. For instance, if Carrier makes your system and you purchase a Honeywell thermostat, the chances are that it will not work with your HVAC system. UnCarrier makes your system only worsen as there are a wide array of manufacturers and models on the market.

4 Limited Smart Features

Most smart thermostats come with limited smart features, making them look more programmable than fully functional alternatives. However, they only include the bare minimum smart features such as scheduling and geofencing. In addition, most of them cannot be controlled from a remote location or by voice commands.

Conclusion

In conclusion, smart thermostats are great alternatives to traditional programmable models. These devices not only save energy but also save time and money in the long run. However, if you are on a tight budget or need a replacement for a broken programmable wireless thermostat, these devices may not be worth the additional expense.