Smart Thermostats: How to Use and Set for Every Occasion

Each day, we do different tasks without thinking much about them; we wake up, brew coffee, and make breakfast automatically. What if setting your thermostat could be just as automatic?

 

Programmable thermostats allow you to control your home’s temperature using your smartphone. You can set the thermostat to follow a schedule so that you rarely need to adjust it. A smart thermostat will allow you to enjoy the following benefits:

 

• Lower energy bills. You won’t waste excess electricity on heating/cooling your home when you’re not there. This makes a smart thermostat more affordable than you might think. The owner of Provincial Heating & Cooling Inc. writes that most customers assume smart thermostats cost a fortune. But when you consider how much you can save on energy costs, the product definitely pays for itself over time. 

• Less hassle. After you’ve programmed your thermostat, you’ll never have to remember to change the temperature; that’s the beauty of home automation. 

• Increased comfort. Your home will automatically be set to your preferred temperature on any day of the week. 

 

The functionality of your smart thermostat is entirely dependent on how you program it. We’re going to explain how you can make the most of home automation by optimizing your thermostat:

 

Setting Up Your Smart Thermostat

 

To start, it helps to create a general outline of your schedule. You might begin with the time you leave the house. Think about it: what’s the sense in using energy to heat/cool your home if you aren’t even there to notice it? Next, jot down when you usually return home on the weekdays.

 

Now you can schedule your thermostat. Program it to use less energy when you leave the house. Then, set the thermostat to heat/cool your home to your desired temperature 30-60 minutes before you arrive. When you’ve finished a long day of work, you’ll return to a house that’s already the perfect temperature.

 

What time do you typically go to sleep at night? If you prefer to sleep in a cooler than warmer room, set your thermostat to drop a few degrees when you go to bed. This will also save you on power costs.

 

Keep in mind that you may follow a different routine on the weekends. Adjust the schedule for the days you sleep in or stay up later.

 

What’s The Ideal Temperature?

 

Now that you’ve written out your routine, you’re probably wondering what to set your thermostat to during the hours you’re at home. It seems that some of us run hotter or cooler than others; if you share your household with others, they may have different preferences.

 

In general, sleep specialists recommend setting your thermostat between 60-67°F while you sleep. You can test out a few different settings to find one that works best for your family. Once you’ve found the sweet spot, program your smart thermostat to reach that temperature during the night.

 

Adjusting Your Smart Thermostat

 

The owner of Comfort Crew cautions homeowners to be mindful of pets during hot seasons. In the cooler months, it might not be an issue to turn down your AC while you’re out of the house. But when it’s really hot, your home could reach uncomfortable temperatures for your furry friends. Be sure to take a look at your smart thermostat schedule when the seasons change.

 

As the weather changes, so do our daily routines. When the sun is shining and warm, we tend to spend more time outdoors with our friends and family. But as the temperatures drop in the winter (especially in the evening), we might be more likely to hang out inside.

 

Interested in purchasing a smart thermostat for your home? At Dominion Design and Integration, we’re experts in all things regarding smart home technology. With over 20 years of experience, we have the products and services you’ll need to take home automation into your own hands. Contact us today to learn more.