With rising heating and cooling costs, many people are looking for ways to make their homes more efficient and reduce energy usage. We asked Eric Koch, a program manager at CLEAResult Consulting, to explain how smart thermostats can make it easier to control your heating and cooling system and lower energy bills. Eric has contributed to multiple research initiatives on smart thermostats, focusing on installation best practices, energy savings and customer satisfaction.   

What is a smart thermostat, and how does it work??
A smart thermostat is similar to a regular programmable thermostat except it can communicate with the internet. These thermostats use current weather information and other online data to fine tune performance. Placing smart sensors throughout your home may allow your smart thermostat to better monitor temperature and humidity variances, then automatically adjust your HVAC system for better comfort. 

Smart thermostats learn your energy usage habits and adapt to your daily schedules and preferences. For example, some smart thermostats can sense that no one is moving throughout the home and automatically set the temperature to your “away” setting.  

Some smart thermostats can use geofencing, which connects to the app on your phone. These thermostats track when your phone moves beyond a certain distance from your house and adjusts the temperature. When your phone returns, the thermostat brings the temperature in your home back to your comfort zone. 

What are the main benefits of installing a smart thermostat? 
A smart thermostat can make your life easier, give you more control over your home’s comfort level and reduce energy usage. Adjusting your home’s temperature is simple using an app on your phone from anywhere. Using the app, you can easily set temperature preferences and build a schedule. You can also adjust your settings online using a computer. If you’re not sure where to begin, the smart system can build a schedule based on your preferences and habits over time to optimize your comfort. 

By linking to room sensors, a smart thermostat gives you even more control over your home’s comfort. For example, you can place a sensor in your bedroom and the smart thermostat can prioritize that room at night. Your thermostat will keep you comfortable as you sleep rather than adjusting temperatures based on larger rooms that are not in use.  

Smart thermostats can also save energy by improving how air circulates throughout your home. Using sensors, these thermostats can identify hot and cold spots and run the system’s fan to even out the temperature without switching on heating or cooling. Using the fan in this way allows you to save energy and reduce energy bills. This approach also keeps air moving past the filter in your HVAC system, helping improve the air quality in your home. 

How difficult are smart thermostats to install, set up and use??
Before you purchase a smart thermostat, it’s important to make sure your existing wiring system is compatible with the one you choose. Most manufacturers have a compatibility checker on their website.  

Energy Trust trade allies or any HVAC contractor can help determine compatibility and do the installation once you’ve made a purchase. You can also install the thermostat yourself by following the instructions in the box or downloading the device app that will guide you through installation.  

First, disconnect the power to your HVAC system. Then, remove the old thermostat from the wall and take a picture of the wire connections and labels before disconnecting them and the base plate. Use the directions provided in the step-by-step guide or app to mount the new thermostat base plate and reconnect the wires to the proper color coded and labeled wire terminals.  

Once the new base plate and wires are attached, snap the thermostat into place and re-connect power to your HVAC system. The app makes it easy to connect your smart thermostat to Wi-Fi, register your device, set up an account, sign up for utility programs and much more.  

When it comes to using your smart thermostat, the app is the most intuitive way to experience all the features. However, if you’d rather not use a phone app, you can access all the same features from a computer by logging into your account through the manufacturer’s website. If you or someone you’re setting up the smart thermostat for isn’t tech savvy, the thermostat settings can aways be adjusted on the wall unit as well.  

What about financial incentives?
Energy Trust offers discounts on smart thermostats to eligible customers. You can also find a trade ally to help you install the smart thermostat once you get it. Learn more.