With technological advancements in almost every arena of our lives, it’s no surprise that our HVAC systems have also become future-forward. Enter smart thermostats – A smart thermostat is a gadget that connects to your heating and cooling system, letting you adjust and monitor your home’s temperature from anywhere with your phone or another device connected to the internet.
Read on to learn more about the benefits that smart thermostats offer. For more information or to request a quote for a new HVAC system or smart thermostat upgrade for your St. Louis home, contact the experts at Galmiche & Sons.
What are the Benefits of Smart Thermostats?
Smart thermostats have quickly become a household staple because of the many benefits they offer. Firstly, they allow you to control the temperature of your home remotely, making heating and cooling more convenient. Second, they are energy-efficient, which means you can save on your energy bills. They do this by automatically adjusting the temperature based on your usage patterns and occupancy. Lastly, smart thermostats seamlessly integrate with your other smart home devices, which improves your quality of living to a great extent.
So, which thermostat should you pick? Let’s find out.
Choosing the Right Smart Thermostat for Your Home
- Compatibility with your HVAC Unit: When buying a smart thermostat, it is important to check whether it is compatible with your existing HVAC system. The smart thermostats available in the market today are co-operative with certain HVAC models only. The best way to address this is to check your manufacturer’s website for a list of compatible models. Typically, a zoned HVAC system requires a smart thermostat that supports HVAC zoning. Whereas, separate heating and cooling units require separate thermostats. If you have a heat pump, you will also have to check if the smart thermostat is compatible with a unit that has a heat pump.
- C-Wire Compatibility: Most of the smart thermostats available today have a common wire or C-wire requirement, which allows them to function. So, if your unit doesn’t have one or has another power source, like an R-wire, then you have to select your smart thermostat accordingly. If your preferred smart thermostat requires a C-wire and your unit doesn’t have one, you can always call an HVAC professional to have it installed for you.
- Smartphone Compatibility: Another crucial factor to check is your phone’s operating system and the smart thermostat app you will be using. Most smart thermostat apps are available to Android and iOS mobile users, but if you don’t have either one of these, it’s best if you check with your manufacturer before making the purchase.
- Smart Home Integration: If you enjoy living in a tech-savvy home and are a fan of smart home devices, you might want to ensure that your smart thermostat is compatible with other smart systems in your home. By integrating these devices, you can use voice commands to adjust your thermostat settings or even control your smart lights and fans. Check for compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri, or SmartThings.
- Temperature and Motion Sensors: If you want to take your smart thermostat benefits to the next level, consider choosing one that comes with temperature and motion detection sensors. This way, the thermostat can detect the temperature in different areas of your home and communicate this to your main thermostat. Likewise, motion sensors help your smart thermostat detect if there are people in the room and adjust the temperature accordingly. The sensors are also capable of detecting humidity and notifying you of this.
- Energy Efficiency: Ensure that your smart thermostat has an ENERGY STAR certification, as this makes it more energy efficient and saves you lots of money. You can also become a green-warrior, as smart thermostats with ENERGY STAR certifications help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making it a better choice for the environment.
- Bonus Features: Some smart thermostats use AI to observe your behaviors to ensure that your home is properly heated or cooled as per your schedule. Do you often forget to turn off your system before leaving for work? No worries – the Geofencing feature tracks your location and turns off your unit when you’re away. Similarly, the Vacation Mode feature helps you conserve energy and also regulates the temperature of your home – preventing overheating or freezing.
Get the Best Smart Thermostat for Your Home with Galmiche & Sons
Are you looking for trusted professionals that can help you select the best smart thermostat or undertake your HVAC unit installation and maintenance? Galmiche & Sons is here for you. Located in St. Louis and with 70+ years of experience in the world of HVAC, our skilled team can handle all of your HVAC needs effectively. Get in touch with the heating and air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons today!
