How do smart thermostats save money?

Smart thermostats are no longer a frill – they’re a sensible way to control household expenses and elevate your energy efficiency. In this article, we will look at how smart thermostats save you money by keeping track of time, learning your habits, and adjusting to your routine in real time. You’ll also hear about the features that help those savings stack up, like geofencing and personalized scheduling, along with tips for making the most out of your device. And whether you’ve already installed a smart thermostat or you’re thinking about one, this guide will help you get the most out of your investment. So let’s get started.

How do smart thermostats save money?

Smart thermostats don’t just make your home feel more modern – they actively help you save money and cut down on energy use. Unlike traditional models which require programming by hand, smart thermostats are Wi-Fi connected and can learn your habits to help tweak your heating and cooling. In fact, research has demonstrated that almost half of those with regular programmable thermostats never program them at all, failing to realize potential energy savings. This is where smart thermostats come in.

Smart thermostats can help you by learning your habits and automatically adjusting the temperature when you’re home and when you’re not. They can sense when you are not home, they learn your preferences and they adjust to real-time conditions with no input from you at all. The payoff is a big reduction in energy consumption along with lower utility bills. Users potentially save between 10 and 15% on heating and cooling a year.

Another advantage is control. Whether you’re at home, work or on vacation, you can monitor and control your thermostat remotely via an app on a smartphone or via the web. Some will even provide detailed energy use reports and tips to help you become even more efficient over time. With its combination of on-board automation, intelligent learning and user-friendly controls, smart thermostats produce real-world cost savings and a more environmentally friendly way of life. Everyone wins.

3 features that help with savings

Let’s look at three key features that help with savings:

1. Temperature control: Accurate temperature control is one of the most efficient ways smart thermostats contribute to energy savings. Standard thermostats need to be adjusted manually, so you run the risk of having the room being either too hot or too cold. That’s where smart thermostats with intelligent systems are coming in and ensuring your home will not have the over-heating and over-cooling issue. They learn household patterns and control heating and cooling cycles to minimize energy waste. For example, if someone reduces the temperature overnight the smart thermostat can learn this routine and automatically adjust the setting accordingly. This custom approach not only results in greater comfort but in less wasted energy, and noticeable savings in the long run.

2. Scheduling: The best smart thermostats are designed to fit seamlessly into your life. They enable users to programme daily temperature schedules based on their routines – ensuring that energy is used most effectively while the home is occupied, and reducing consumption when it’s not. This level of customization allows your heating or cooling system to run only when necessary, avoiding excessive use during the day. And if your plans change, you can easily change settings via an app or online dashboard, so there is always room to manoeuvre without compromising on efficiency.

3. Geofencing: A lot of smart thermostats have geofencing which refines energy management. This feature ties in to your smartphone’s GPS and can tell when you’re near or away from your home. And if you’re coming back, the thermostat will also know to change the temperature to make sure it’s the right level of comfort by the time you arrive. If you leave, it switches to a leaner, more energy-efficient setting. For households with irregular schedules, this automatic response is ideal because it means the HVAC isn’t wasting energy when no one is present. Geofencing adjusts on the go, so all that convenience happens automatically.

Tips to maximize your savings with a smart thermostat

To get the most value out of your smart thermostat, it’s important to go beyond simply installing it. With the right settings, consistent usage habits, and routine HVAC maintenance, you can significantly increase your energy savings while maintaining a comfortable home environment.

Start by setting energy-efficient temperature ranges that align with your daily routine. For example, during winter, lowering the temperature by a few degrees while you’re asleep or away from home can lead to substantial savings without compromising comfort. Most smart thermostats allow you to create detailed schedules. It’s important to take full advantage of this by programming temperature adjustments based on when you’re typically home, asleep or at work.

Make use of features like geofencing and occupancy sensors if available. These tools help your thermostat make real-time adjustments based on whether anyone is home, preventing energy from being wasted on heating or cooling an empty space. Similarly, enable energy reports and alerts, which can offer insights into your usage patterns and suggest ways to reduce consumption further.

Remote access is another powerful feature – use your smartphone or computer to adjust settings when you’re on the go. If your plans change unexpectedly, you can still ensure that your HVAC system is running efficiently and only when needed.

Finally, don’t overlook the importance of regular HVAC maintenance. Even the smartest thermostat can’t compensate for a poorly performing heating or cooling system. Make sure to replace air filters regularly, schedule annual inspections, and keep vents clean and unobstructed. When smart thermostats are paired with a well-maintained HVAC system, the result is optimal performance, reduced energy bills, and a more sustainable home.

About Daikin

Daikin offers a range of smart thermostats for residential and commercial needs, featuring a variety of capabilities such as Wi-Fi connectivity, touchscreen interfaces, humidification control, and two-way communication.

Daikin leads the industry in innovation and customer support and operates in 170 countries worldwide with millions of systems installed. We offer a wide range of HVAC systems for residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Learn more about Daikin’s HVAC products by contacting us today.