The arrival of smart thermostats has allowed thousands of homeowners to find savings on their energy bills. Smart thermostats enable internet connectivity so you can connect the system with your phone, tablet, computer, and the system’s own web portal. They improve energy efficiency as they include features such as scheduling and sensors that allow you to maximize temperature settings for comfort and efficiency.
They can also be connected to your home’s automation system. Here is your complete guide to smart thermostats to explain what they offer, their benefits, set up, important things to consider and how to use them to their full potential.
Ecobee Smart Thermostats
Although there are dozens of smart thermostats available on the market, one of the most popular, and one we highly recommend, is the ecobee. These smart thermostats are designed with sustainability in mind, combining technology with green initiatives to help customers and the world as a whole.
Ecobee Smart Thermostats are compatible with Apple HomeKit on all iOS devices, even your Apple Watch. It also works with smart home ecosystems such as Google Assistant. This smart thermostat offers remote sensors to keep your home at the ideal temperature in occupied rooms, considers the weather outside to keep things comfortable inside, and allows you to access your smart system remotely using your phone, tablet, or computer. The ecobee web portal in your thermostat allows you to:
- Control temperatures and the system
- Adjust your schedule including when you are away on vacation
- Check local weather forecasts
- Set your preferences and manage the ecobee thermostats in your home
- Review your energy use by signing into the web portal, which will help save on energy costs
To learn more about how to install and use a smart thermostat at your home? Call on our certified experts at ClimateCare today to get the best advice.
Things to Consider Before Upgrading to a Smart Thermostat
Once you’ve made the decision to switch to a smart thermostat in your home, you’ll need to consider a few important factors before installation can be completed. Here are a few to keep in mind:
Wi-Fi Connection – While it’s unusual to find a home that doesn’t have a Wi-Fi connection these days, it’s still an important consideration if you want to take advantage of all the features of your smart thermostat. This includes connecting to a smartphone app, enabling built-in voice integrations doing things like starting a music playlist or making shopping lists, etc.
Smartphone App & Mobile Device – The physical installation is only part of the process when it comes to smart thermostats. There is also the app that needs to be installed on a smartphone, tablet or laptop. Having the app on your smartphone makes communicating with the thermostat quick and easy, allowing to make adjustments from wherever you are.
Low Voltage HVAC System – Many homeowners have no idea if they have a low voltage HVAC system or not. But many smart thermostats, including ecobee, require low voltage 24v HVAC systems in order to function. Most newer homes are equipped with 24v systems, but some older homes are not. If you’re unsure, your local ClimateCare technician can figure it out for you.
Professionals Can Do It Better – Many DIY-types will feel the urge to tackle their smart thermostat installation on their own, and while it is possible, we recommend calling in a professional. Things like running new wires, including new C-wire installation, moving thermostats to new locations and potential troubleshooting tasks are always best handled by an experienced professional for your ultimate peace of mind.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Installation
At ClimateCare, we sell a range of smart thermostats, including the ecobee. Although ecobee is an easy-to-install smart thermostat, you might want to check out the cost to install smart thermostats with your local ClimateCare experts. We will ensure your system has full connectivity and show you how to access and use all its features to optimize performance. There are many steps you don’t want to miss in your ecobee smart thermostat installation including:
Improved Comfort
While energy savings are a perk of your smart thermostat, its adjustable settings allow you to set your home comfort levels based on your schedule. This contributes to your energy savings but also makes sure your ideal temperatures are always set for the times you are away and the times when you are home.
Are you looking save on your energy bills by switching to smart thermostat for your home? Find your local ClimateCare to get the best solution for you needs.
Smart Thermostat Savings
Ecobee is ENERGY STAR® approved, combining the best of home comfort standards with outstanding energy savings. In fact, North American customers save up to 26% on their heating and cooling costs according to an April 2021 ecobee survey. Your smart thermostat energy savings are thanks to many features including:
Minimum Fan Runtime (Auto mode only)
Knowing how to choose a longer fan runtime helps improve air circulation. While many people figure the ideal setting is to simply keep the Auto setting at On, that’s not always the case. By setting a longer runtime, you maintain a more consistent temperature than sticking to the Auto setting. This will help you save more than by simply choosing the On setting.
Smart Sensors
Your Ecobee smart thermostat comes with a wireless remote sensor to detect motion and temperature in your most frequently used room. You can purchase and install additional sensors to install in other rooms so motion sensors can tell when to adjust comfort levels when someone enters or leaves the room. As well, your Smart Home/Away follows your home and away schedule, but also works with sensors in the home to detect changes. This way if someone is home, despite the programmed schedule, the sensors will adjust comfort levels.
Vacation Settings
Even when you are away, you can set your ecobee to conserve energy for longer periods of time. Your schedule indicates when you’ll be home, so the system adjusts the temperatures to your regular schedule on that date. This setting temporarily overrides your usual schedule, so you don’t have to worry about changing the schedule and then resetting it when you get home.
Alerts
There are several alerts you can set with your smart thermostat including temperature alerts. With these settings, you can be alerted when a temperature hits a level that may indicate there is a problem with your HVAC system. You can also get reminders to let you know it’s time to service your system and when to perform maintenance.
Smart Recovery
Smart recovery teaches your ecobee about your HVAC system’s operation and then takes the weather and historical performance indicators into consideration so your system maintains optimal temperatures to suit your needs.
Security Code
If you don’t want anyone else accessing your smart thermostat, you can set a security code so only you can access the system. This can save money by maintaining ideal temperatures to optimize energy savings, while also keeping your home comfortable.
Smart Thermostat Savings Calculator
Ecobee calculates energy savings by comparing the length of time your heating and cooling equipment runs compared to local weather. Your cost-saving estimates are based on:
- Runtime savings
- Average electricity rate in your area
- Heating fuel rate for your area
If you have more than one thermostat, the percentages shown are based on an average of all your thermostats.
Set Point and Energy Savings
Your set point allows you to minimize indoor and outdoor temperature differences, so a higher temperature is set when it is cooler, and a lower temperature is set when it is hotter. This allows you to maintain a consistent temperature to avoid your HVAC from running longer to meet the changing temperatures outside.
Keep in mind there are many factors that will impact your individual energy savings. This includes your location, local weather, and the type of HVAC system you have. The size of your home must also be considered when it comes to energy savings, along with how well insulated your home is to improve efficiencies.
Are you looking to switch to an automated heat & cool controller with smart specs? Find Your ClimateCare professional today to find the coolest solution for all your smart home temperature needs.
