Are Smart Thermostats Worth It?

Before we get into all that, let’s start by explaining what makes a thermostat smart…

Programable thermostats (thermostats that can adjust the temperature based on a pre-set schedule), have been around, in one way or another, since 1906. So why is everyone, “all of a sudden” (for the past 10 years or so), talking about “smart” thermostats, and what’s so smart about them anyway?!

For a thermostat to be considered “smart”, it just has to be Wi-Fi enabled. The most basic models just allow you to remotely adjust the temperature with a smartphone app. This is great because it allows you to set the thermostat to your desired temperature before leaving work after a 12-hour shift or from the tarmac after a weeklong vacation, while maintaining an energy-saving temperature while you’re away.

The really smart ones “learn” your preferences and routine (mostly through motion sensors) and automatically adjust to an energy-saving temperature when you’re asleep or away. Higher end models use features like geofencing to achieve your desired temperature by the time you get home.

In summary, smart thermostats use motion sensors and geofencing to figure out when nobody is home, and automatically go into energy-saving mode when your house is empty. They also make it extremely easy to set up a sensible heating and cooling schedule. According to real-world data gathered by the EPA, smart thermostats (that meet Energy Star criteria) save users an average of 8% on their electric bills.

For comparison, setting your programable thermostat 7 to