If you still have a regular thermostat in your Bountiful, UT home, you may want to consider upgrading to a smart version. There are many more features available with a smart thermostat that provide convenience, efficiency, and more. Some homeowners don’t realize that their current thermostat can easily be swapped out for a smart one. If you’re concerned about the cost of this upgrade, there may be various rebates or discounts available through your local power company or the thermostat manufacturer.
Considering Your Current Wiring Setup
While some regular thermostats can quickly be removed and a smart version put in its place, there are situations where the installation may be a bit more complex. For example, most smart thermostats require that you have a C wire in place. The C wire is used to provide a continuous stream of power to your thermostat. This means that you can use its different functions at any time. This is also how ongoing data is collected, so you can view it on your smart device that you pair with your smart thermostat.
If you already have a C wire in place where your thermostat is going to go, then the installation should be relatively straightforward. We still recommend having our team complete the installation to ensure everything works correctly and safely. We’ll inspect the existing wires behind your thermostat to ensure there isn’t any damage that should be addressed prior to the installation of your new equipment.
Voltage Requirements
Different smart thermostats call for various levels of voltage to function. Most thermostats will use low voltage that’s around 24 volts. This is common for residential settings. If you live in a larger home or are installing a more elaborate smart thermostat, then 120 to 240 volts may be necessary. If this voltage isn’t available, you may need to choose a different smart thermostat model for your residence.
The Benefits of a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat provides several key benefits that you can’t get from a regular model.
Convenience of Use
When you have your smart thermostat installed, you’ll pair it with a smart device of your choosing. You can view your thermostat settings and information from multiple devices if you choose. Whether you’re at home sitting on the couch or you’re at work and need to adjust, you can do so using your device. This eliminates the need to physically be present at the location of your thermostat. This is especially helpful if you left the house and forgot to adjust your thermostat. You can minimize equipment use while you’re gone.
Some smart thermostats also allow you to make changes to your settings using voice commands. If you’re at home but don’t want to walk over to the thermostat, you can simply talk to your thermostat and tell it to make the appropriate change.
Boosting System Efficiency
There are different ways that you can adjust your thermostat that will save you money on your monthly utility bills. For example, dropping your interior temperature a few degrees while you’re away from home is ideal. You can also adjust it when you’re leaving on vacation. A smart thermostat provides you with the opportunity to set a schedule based on your preferences. You can adjust and monitor these settings remotely.
Some smart thermostats include geofencing technology. Your thermostat will be able to tell when you’ve left home or will be arriving back based on the location of your paired smart device. Adjustments to your interior temperature will be made accordingly. You won’t have to come back to a hot house in the summer or a cold one in the winter. Rather, your residence will already be comfortable once you walk in.
Your smart thermostat app may make recommendations for how you can save money by adjusting your schedule. This is based on usage reports and data. Adaptive learning provides more information as time goes on.
You may even be able to allow your local power company to adjust your thermostat for you. This usually isn’t more than a couple of degrees at a time, but the difference can save quite a bit of money. Not to mention, this reduces your carbon footprint and lowers your impact on the local power grid.
Many smart thermostats have an ENERGY STAR rating, which means they use minimal electricity to function. This is even taking into account the fact that they’re running at all times in order to provide you with more accurate temperature control and information.
Integration With Other Smart Devices
Many homeowners are making the switch to a more efficient and smart home setup. If you have other smart devices in your house, you may be able to pair them with your new smart thermostat. This includes smart lighting systems, virtual assistants, security equipment, and smart appliances. Your smart device becomes a centralized hub for all of your smart technology, providing you with access regardless of where you’re located.
More Consistent Indoor Comfort
Your regular thermostat may not have provided you with enough personalized options for heating and cooling your home. You may find that your smart thermostat has resulted in fewer hot and cold spots in your residence. The quality of your indoor air may also see an improvement with the installation of a smart thermostat.
Receiving Maintenance Alerts
It’s important that you schedule routine maintenance for your HVAC system at least once every year. Your smart thermostat may be able to provide you with a reminder that it’s time to schedule this appointment. Some smart thermostats can also alert you if something is malfunctioning with your heating or cooling equipment.
Connecting Your Thermostat to Wi-Fi
Your smart thermostat will require a Wi-Fi connection to communicate with your smart device. Make sure that you have a router in place and that you know the passcode information for the setup process. You should also ensure that your current smart device is new enough that it will pair with your smart thermostat.
We can walk you through the process of setting up your smart thermostat so that it works correctly. We’ll test your thermostat for you to ensure it works properly after the installation process is complete. We do recommend that you familiarize yourself with the various features of your smart thermostat. This includes moving through all the different options on your smart device. You may want to change the schedule of your thermostat a few times once it’s installed to figure out the perfect settings.
If you’d like assistance with replacing your current thermostat with a smart version, turn to Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators for assistance. We offer a variety of other services, including heating and air conditioning equipment installation, emergency repairs, indoor air quality, and routine maintenance. We also provide plumbing services, such as water heater repair and maintenance, clog removal, pipe replacement, and more. Contact Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators today for more information or to schedule an appointment in Bountiful.
