thermostat-smart

How To Make a Thermostat Smart

Switching over to a smart thermostat is simple because they wire up the exact same way your current thermostat is wired. To make your thermostat smart you need to purchase a smart thermostat, and either connect it yourself or hire an electrician or HVAC technician to connect it for you.

In today’s world, it seems like everyone and everything is connected to wi-fi. This is especially true when it comes to smart devices – likely those used to control your home, from refrigerators to speakers, it was only a matter of time before the introduction of the Smart Thermostat. If you want to know how to make your thermostat smart then you’re in the right place.

If you are a hardcore DIYer then you might be interested in just converting your old thermostat into a smart thermostat. This process is significantly more intensive so I’m not going to cover it, but you can see how it is done here.

Smart thermostats give you, the homeowner, a programmable route to more energy-efficient heating and cooling habits. Today I am going to cover the benefits of converting to a smart thermostat and then I am going to go over some of the best options on the market today.

How Can I Make My Thermostat Smart?

You can make better use of the programmable features of your thermostat. For some people, this may be nearly as efficient as using a smart thermostat. If your thermostat is not programmable, it will never be “smart” and needs to be replaced.

Benefits of a Smart Programmable Thermostat

1. Energy Efficiency

Installing a smart thermostat in your home gives you programmable options that allow you to save money on your monthly energy bills. This is done by programming your “away time,” or the period of time during the week that nobody is in the house.

When your home is empty your smart thermostat turns off the heating and air conditioning to save on energy costs. The HVAC system then goes into recovery mode, gradually turning on before you arrive home to ensure that the temperature is right before you walk in the door. 

2. Worry-Free 

No longer are the days of constantly checking your thermostat to make sure that nobody has touched it. With a smart thermostat, you have complete control of it from wherever you are with your smartphone or computer.

If you program your thermostat you have to worry even less, because once the schedule is set, the thermostat takes care of the rest.

3. Hands-Free

Your new smart thermostat can connect to your smart home devices like [amazon link=”B086RYPFK7″ title=”Google’s Home” /] and [amazon link=”B07FZ8S74R” title=” Amazon’s Alexa.” /] . This means that you can control the comfort level of your home with nothing but your voice. You will never again have to stop what you are doing to adjust the temperature.

Best Smart Thermostats

There is a growing list of options out there today when it comes to smart thermostats. As with anything else, as popularity grows, so too does the list of manufacturers. There are some really solid options on the market today that fit just about any need or budget.

1. [amazon link=”B08HRPDBFF” title=”Google Nest” /]

Google’s nest thermostat is one of the most popular options out there today. It’s easy to see why with their selection of colors and stylish interface. It works flawlessly with your Google Home device.

2. [amazon link=”B075BF6V58″ title=”Honeywell Home” /]

This is the same Honeywell that has been making thermostats since 1906. They have come a long way and they continue to offer front of the line innovations with this programmable smart thermostat.

3. [amazon link=”B01N3CEUDH” title=”Emerson Sensi” /]

Newer to the market is the stylish touch-screen model offered up by Emerson. No less a contender this smart device is compatible with all smart home devices.

4. [amazon link=”B07W6XVSGY” title=”Bosch Smart Thermostat” /]

Long-time toolmaker decided to get some skin in on the thermostat game, and I’m glad they did. This is one of the latest smart thermostats and the most affordable option on the list, and it comes with no sacrificed quality.

Conclusion

Smart thermostats continue to grow in popularity and for good reason. With energy efficiency and saving money in mind, switching to a smart thermostat might be the right choice for you as well. Listed above are some top of the line products for you to check out to get you started on your path to a smart home.