Which Smart Thermostat Is Right for Me?

If you’re looking for ways to make your home more energy-efficient, a smart thermostat is an excellent choice. Besides raising energy efficiency, they also deliver exceptional convenience to users and give homeowners much more control over their HVAC system. However, before you pick any old model and spring for smart thermostat installation, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions first to ensure you select the right thermostat for your home.

What Is a Smart Thermostat?

A smart thermostat is a type of programmable thermostat that allows you to control it with an internet-connected device, such as your phone, tablet, or smart speaker. Since smart thermostats connect to your smart devices, you can conveniently adjust settings and change the temperature without ever having to get off the couch or even be at home. You can also program smart thermostats to change the temperature based on the time of day. Additionally, many will alert users to the HVAC system’s maintenance needs and energy consumption.

How Do You Choose the Right Smart Thermostat For Your Home or Business?

If you’re interested in installing a smart thermostat at your home or business, you’ll have plenty of options. As you try to sort through smart thermostats from leading brands like Nest, Amazon, Honeywell, and Ecobee, it’s important you know what qualities to look for. Learn more about the top three questions you should ask to pick the right thermostat below:

1. Is It Compatible With My HVAC System?

While most brands will try to make their thermostats compatible with as many HVAC systems as possible, you should always check that your HVAC system is compatible with a potential smart thermostat. For instance, one smart thermostat might not be compatible with a heat pump system but is compatible with a central AC. As a result, you’ll want to know your HVAC system’s type and brand as well as the smart thermostat’s compatibility requirements. 

When you’re not sure about compatibility, you can always reach out to an HVAC professional to give you advice. You should also be aware that if you have separate cooling and heating systems, you might need different thermostats for each of them.

2. Does My Wiring Support the Smart Thermostat?

Before you purchase a new smart thermostat, you’ll want to know if the wiring used for your existing thermostat will work for the new one. Many of the latest smart thermostats now require a common wire, or C-wire, to work, as this wire ensures the thermostat’s WiFi and display features receive constant power. If you’re unsure if you have a C-wire and want a smart thermostat that requires one, an HVAC technician can inspect your system to find out.

When your existing thermostat doesn’t have a C-wire, you’ll want to avoid purchasing a smart thermostat that requires one. However, if you really want a specific smart thermostat that needs a C-wire, you can have an HVAC technician install a new C-wire, purchase an add-a-wire adapter from a third party, or select a smart thermostat featuring a power extender or power adapter.

3. What Features Do You Want Your Smart Thermostat to Have?

Once you’ve determined if a smart thermostat is compatible with your HVAC system and that you have the appropriate wiring, you should see if the thermostat has all the features you want. Since you’ll likely want your smart thermostat to last a long time and not need to be replaced any time soon, purchasing a thermostat with all your favorite features is essential.

Check out some of the top features you might want to look for in a thermostat below: 

• Compatible app and voice control with your preferred devices or platform: Smart thermostats almost always come with an app to give you greater convenience when adjusting your thermostat’s settings. However, many of them are only compatible with certain platforms or devices. For example, some smart thermostats might only work with Alexa-enabled devices for voice control. If you already use a central digital platform to manage your home’s smart devices, such as Apple’s HomeKit, you’ll need to ensure the thermostat is compatible with the platform. 
• Learning features: The most cutting-edge smart thermostats will learn your temperature and HVAC usage preferences based on your habits. This learning feature means that your thermostat won’t even need your input to know when to lower or raise the temperature. For example, some smart thermostats will detect when no one is typically at home and automatically change the temperature during these times to reduce your energy consumption.
• Geofencing: A smart thermostat with geofencing will create a virtual border around your home that reacts to GPS information from devices like smartphones. When your connected phone crosses the border, you can set the thermostat to begin an action, such as switching on the AC or changing the temperature. 

Choose Newcomb and Company for Smart Thermostat Service 

When you need smart thermostat installation or repair services in Raleigh, turn to Newcomb and Company. Our team can help you pick the right smart thermostat for your HVAC system, remove your old model, and install the new smart thermostat for you. Since we’re committed to helping homeowners and businesses reduce their energy consumption and save money on their electricity bills, you can also trust us to provide other energy efficiency services, such as duct sealing, geothermal installations, and whole home performance audits.

Learn more about our energy efficiency and smart thermostat services today. If you’re ready to make an appointment or want help choosing your next smart thermostat, please contact us.