💡 Smart Thermostats: A Small Upgrade That Saves Big

Frank Bravo 0:08
Welcome to Your Tech Makeover, the podcast that gives you tips and tricks to help you simplify and get more out of the technology in your life. I'm your host, Frank Bravo. Today, we're diving into one of the easiest smart home upgrades that you can make, and it's really set up to save you money, add real comfort, and actually reduce your carbon footprint. What am I talking about? Well, I'm talking about smart thermostats. Let's be honest. Heating and cooling your home is really expensive. If there's a more efficient way and a more convenient way to do it. Why wouldn't you? At its core, a smart thermostat is just what it sounds. It's just a thermostat with Wi-Fi. But once it's connected to your home network, it opens up a world of automation and remote control. You can adjust the temperature from your smartphone, set schedules, and even use voice commands with Alexa, Google, and Siri. But the real magic is what it learns as it tries to fine tune your heating and cooling to match your lifestyle. So what are the benefits of upgrading to a smart thermostat? First and foremost, it will save you money and it also saves electricity. A smart thermostat doesn't just follow a schedule, it adapts. It can know in your home. It can know when you're away. It knows when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake. Kind of like the big guy. It can also adjust your temperature accordingly without you even lifting a finger. According to the US Department of Energy, you can save about 10% per year on heating and cooling costs just by adjusting your thermostat 7 to 10°F for eight hours a day. A smart thermostat automates that savings for you. You can also take control of your thermostat anywhere. Are you stuck in an airport after a delayed flight? Maybe you're on your way home early. No problem. The. Just open the app, adjust the temperature, and you know, this is something that I use all the time when we visit my parents, who live about an hour away. We do our best to remember to turn on the heater if it's a cold night, so the house is nice and warm by the time we get home. The dog appreciates it too. Even if you're just curled up in front of the couch watching TV and the room starts to feel a little cold, you can nudge the heat up with just your voice or your phone. No need to even get up. Okay, well, maybe that's not the best thing in the world, because getting up periodically is important, but you can see where this would be super useful. It also tends to learn your routine. Many smart thermometers and actually smart thermostats I should say learn from your preference over time. If you turn down the heat every night at 10 p.m., it'll start doing it for you. No reprograming necessary. Some models also monitor local weather and adjust accordingly. If you're going to have a heat wave or a cold spell, you know it will know that that's coming and the thermostat will go ahead and keep ahead of it so that your comfort and you're comfortable without wasting any energy. They also play nice with other smart devices. If you're building a smart home, a smart thermostat is a key puzzle piece that you can use. You can integrate the thermometer into routines as well. Imagine saying good morning and having your lights turn on. Coffee start brewing and the house warms up a few degrees all at once. Some thermostats also work with motion sensors and smart vents that not only cool your room, but it knows which rooms you're in so it can heat and cool them to the ones that you're actually using. It's not just smart, but that's very efficient. Efficient. And finally, smart thermostats aren't just good for your budget. They're also good for the planet. They help reduce your household energy use, which is a win for sustainability. And here's a bonus many companies actually offer rebates if you install one. Sometimes you can even get these devices for free or nearly free, especially through programs like Marketplace or Energy Star rebates. So if you don't have one, you may want to check with your local provider. A quick shout out to listeners like you who helped make your technique over possible. Your support helps keep this podcast going and I truly appreciate it. Want to contribute? Just click on the link in the show notes or visit your Tech makeover.com. Plus, as a thank you, supporters who give $25 or more will get $25 off a one time consultation with me to help you simplify and get more out of your tech. Thanks for being part of the your tech makeover community. Now back to what I was saying. How do you choose the right thermostat? Well, there are a few options that stand out. The first is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat. It says it's best for automation and design. It also adapts quickly and is super user friendly. This is what I have in my home. There's also the Ecobee Smart Thermostat. It includes built in Alexa and room. Sensors are optional, and they optimize the comfort where it actually matters. You might look at the Honeywell Home T9, which is great if you want multi zone room multi-room zoning, and it also has some smart sensors in it. And finally, you might want to look at the Amazon Smart Thermostat. It's a budget option but it has a ton of integrations. And it works well with Alexa. But before you buy one, make sure that your HVAC system or your heating and cooling system is compatible. Some setups need what's called a C wire or a common wire or an adapter. It's not a deal breaker, but it's something that you need to know in advance. And if you're not comfortable with doing this yourself, make sure you contact a professional who knows how to do it. So here's some tips to get the most out of these thermo thermostats. First, set it and forget it, but don't ignore it. Some thermostats can learn from your routine, but a little manual input early helps fine tune things. On mine, I have a set schedule, but then I let it learn what I actually do. You can also use geofencing. Now that may sound really scary. Most models use your phone's location to know when you're home or away, and it will adjust automatically for energy savings. The trick here, though, is if there's multiple people in your house, you need to make sure that it's geofence to all the devices. You might also want to view your energy reports. A lot of thermostats give you monthly summaries so you can see trends, spot issues, and even optimize further. And then finally you can also pair these devices with other devices. So like let's say you have a set of smart blinds or fans or even when open window alerts can sometimes help your system understand what is going on in your house and bring it to the next level. Smart thermostats are one of those rare upgrades that check a lot of boxes. They're easy to use. They can lower your utility bill. They reduce energy consumption and make your home more comfortable. Whether you're already deep into a home smart home tech or you're just getting started, a smart thermostat is maybe one of the best first steps. So are you ready to ditch the old school dial and make your home just a little bit smarter? Let me know if you've added a smart thermostat. And as always, if you have ideas for topics you'd like me to cover, please feel free to contact me at Frank at your Tech makeover.com. That's it for now. Thanks for listening to your tech makeover, if you haven't already. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform so you don't miss an episode. And if you liked this episode, make sure you give it five stars or you like it in your platform as well. You can also check out your tech makeover. Com. For more information on each episode. And as always, if you want to find out more about me, you can visit Bravo. Com. Until next time, I'm Frank Bravo, and this has been your tech makeover.