5 Ways to Save Money with a Smart Thermostat in Lorton, VA

HVAC systems can get quite expensive to run because of high energy consumption. Smart thermostats are one of the most effective ways of saving on these expenses. Below is a compilation of ways you can save money with a smart thermostat in your Lorton, VA, home.

Stay Aware of Your HVAC’s Maintenance Schedules and Needs

On their user interface, smart thermostats boast unique capabilities of displaying alerts when your HVAC unit is malfunctioning or needs a tune-up. This is important since you can immediately call us for AC installation or repair before it turns into a costlier repair or leaves you with a broken-down unit in the middle of a sweltering summer night.

These alerts also serve to notify you when the unit needs a filter change. Air filters play a key role in the quality of your indoor air and comfort provided by your HVAC system in your home. The notifications help in prolonging the life of your HVAC unit, therefore, saving you on the costly HVAC replacement or emergency repair expenses.

Schedule Your Heating and Cooling

One of the most efficient features of a smart thermostat is the ability to program your temperature preference to align with your daily schedule. This helps you take advantage of the time you are away from the house or asleep. Smart thermostats have sensors to sense when you are in the house.

Through Artificial Intelligence, the thermostat is able to make energy and temperature decisions on its own. When you are asleep, the thermostat adjusts the temperature to match your body temperature. When you are away, the smart thermostat keeps your house at a moderate temperature that reduces the HVAC running time.

Zone Your Rooms

It makes perfect sense to offer cooling or heating priority to rooms or floors of your home that are currently being occupied. Zoning means that you cool or heat your rooms differently according to the specific temperature requirements in the rooms. A central HVAC system has to run constantly to cool your home evenly.

A smart thermostat paired with a ductless HVAC unit enables you to create different zones in your living space. You can set the temperature of your living room differently to that of your basement that is not frequently visited. This ensures that your HVAC only consumes the necessary amount of energy.

Monitor Real-Time Energy Consumption

Smart thermostats, specifically the two-way communicating models, are always keeping track of your HVAC’s energy consumption and displaying it to you 24/7. You can access this data from the user interface app on your smartphone. Some models are even capable of calculating the cost in terms of money.

Knowing how much you are spending on heating and cooling is important in creating more efficient HVAC strategies. You can also tweak around with the temperature settings and see how they affect your utility bills. Smart thermostats enhance your ability to make ‘smart’ cooling and heating decisions.

Position Your Thermostat Effectively

Smart thermostats are equipped with several sensors for them to make temperature decisions on their own. This is why the position you have put the thermostat matters a lot. The location of your thermostat should be free from external weather influence.

If you place your thermostat near sources of heat, it will be blasted with hot air from the heat source. Exposing its sensors to this hot air may cause the thermostat to reduce a few degrees from your indoor temperature even when your home is perfectly cool and comfortable. Having the HVAC system run unnecessarily may also lead to higher energy consumption, and consequently, higher energy bills.

If you are still unsure if a smart thermostat is the right option for your home, we will be glad to share more information on the benefits your home can reap from installing a smart thermostat. Contact Indoor Air Quality Medics Heating & Air Conditioning and enjoy professional HVAC repair and installation services from our certified comfort experts.

Image provided by iStock