How Do Smart Thermostats Work and What to Expect

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

How Do Smart Thermostats Work

Smart thermostats have gained popularity over the past five years, with many energy experts citing these devices as one of the best ways to control electricity and gas consumption. Despite their growing presence, many people remain unfamiliar with smart thermostats and how they function.

With a wide variety of smart thermostats available on the market, deciding where to start when purchasing can be challenging. Smart thermostats are designed to enable remote control of your home’s main heating system, offering features that allow for personalized heating settings tailored to your preferences.

Contents show

Whether automatically adjusting heating based on the time of day or your presence in the house, smart thermostats are designed to simplify your life and help manage energy use more efficiently. They represent one of the most effective ways to reduce electricity and gas bills, alongside conducting an energy comparison and switching to a more cost-effective power company.

What Differentiates a Smart Thermostat from a Typical Thermostat

How Do Smart Thermostats Work? – What Differentiates a Smart Thermostat from a Typical Thermostat?

Unlike typical thermostats, which allow temperature adjustments using a dial or control pad, smart thermostats offer comprehensive control over your home’s heating. You can set temperatures based on various factors, such as weather, time of day, and house occupancy.

Smart thermostats enable temperature adjustments using a smartphone or tablet and can monitor your energy consumption in real time. This feature allows you to see how much energy your appliances use and make informed decisions about your energy usage.

How Do You Control A Smart Thermostat

Similar to traditional thermostats, smart thermostats connect to your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system through a wired connection and can also be controlled remotely from your home Wi-Fi.

There are two primary methods to control a smart thermostat:

Using The Smartphone Companion Application

Smart thermostats distinguish themselves from traditional analog ones by allowing remote control via the companion app. Whether you’re returning home and desire a warm welcome or need to adjust the temperature while away, the app provides unprecedented control and convenience.

Using The Thermostat’s Interface

How Do Smart Thermostats Work – Using The Thermostat’s Interface

Like traditional thermostats, smart thermostats can be controlled directly through the wall-mounted interface, allowing temperature adjustments, scheduling, and on/off control.

What Features Does A Smart Thermostat Have

What Features Does A Smart Thermostat Have?

Energy Tracking

Most smart thermostats enable energy consumption tracking, with some offering energy-saving presets that optimize heating and cooling efficiency to reduce monthly electricity costs.

Learning

The ability to learn your routine is a standout feature of smart thermostats. By adapting to your schedule, they automatically adjust temperatures to your preferences, reducing energy waste when you’re away.

Smart Home Automation

Smart thermostats can be integrated into a broader smart home setup, allowing coordination with other devices for actions such as arming a security system, adjusting temperature, and controlling smart lighting.

Voice Controls

Voice command compatibility with assistants like Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant is common among smart thermostats, enabling hands-free temperature adjustments.

Note: Should your smart thermostat encounter connectivity issues, simple troubleshooting steps like restarting the device or updating the companion app often resolve these problems.

Final Thought

In conclusion, a smart thermostat offers numerous advantages, including energy savings, consumption tracking, integration with smart home systems, and voice control, making it a valuable addition to any home.