How Does a Smart Thermostat Work and Which Is Good for My Home?

May 04, 2023

A home’s thermostat is often underappreciated. Think about it: Your HVAC system relies on a single thermostat to tell it when heating or cooling is needed. To keep your home comfortable and save on your energy bill, you need to make sure your thermostat is the best available. 

A smart thermostat provides an efficient way to control the temperature of your home while also saving energy—and money. But how do smart thermostats work? Keep reading our ultimate guide to learn everything you need to know about smart thermostats. 

How Does a Smart Thermostat Work in a House?

A smart thermostat uses sensors, machine learning, and algorithms to adjust your home’s temperature without you operating it. It adjusts automatically based on occupancy, humidity levels, and the home’s current temperature. 

Of course, you can change temperatures manually through your phone and tablet if needed. Most smart thermostats have an app that’s easy to install and use. 

Did you know there are smart HVAC systems, too?

Smart Thermostats vs. Traditional vs. Wi-Fi Thermostats

Most people are familiar with traditional thermostats, but how do smart thermostats differ from Wi-Fi models? Both connect to the internet and allow you to adjust settings through a connected app. Smart thermostats go a step further, learning your habits, optimizing energy use, and offering automatic adjustments based on your schedule.

Explore the basic differences between all three through this chart:

The Pros and Cons of Smart Thermostats

Here are some pros and cons to consider while debating whether or not to get a smart thermostat. 

Pros

There are seven key benefits to owning a smart thermostat. 

1. Helps You Save on Energy Costs 

With a smart thermostat, you can better regulate your HVAC system and have it run less when you’re out of the house. This helps you save more energy while also minimizing your monthly bill. 

Nest unveiled that its smart thermostats save households about 10–12% on heating costs and 15 % on cooling costs. In Salt Lake and Utah County, we found smart thermostats save about 15% on homeowners’ cooling bills. 

2. Can Be Programmed Around Your Life

Smart thermostats aren’t simply control panels. They have built-in movement sensors, which take note of your indoor lifestyle and when you’re not home. For example, the thermostat will note when you are most active at home, like in the mornings, afternoons, or evenings. 

This information helps smart thermostats set up a smart home heating and cooling schedule. You can also create a heating/cooling schedule via the app to have your thermostat run during specific times. 

3. Controls Climate Remotely via Smartphone 

That’s right! You can control your smart thermostat whenever you need to from wherever you are. Want your home to be cool upon your arrival? Using your laptop or phone, you can set the temperature before your commute back home. 

Unsure if you’ve left the AC running? You can check the app on your phone and adjust it accordingly. 

4. Tracks Your Energy Usage

Smart thermostats incorporate sensors and learning algorithms that monitor your activities and suggest improvements to make your HVAC system more efficient. Your thermostat will create an energy history report that keeps you informed on your cooling and heating usage. This data can help you and your family members make smarter decisions about your energy use. 

5. Can Qualify for Local Utility Rebates

Utility companies offer rebate programs that allow you to receive money back for buying and installing a smart thermostat. The savings help you offset the cost of your new equipment, making your new device affordable and energy efficient.

6. Easy to Use

People may think they have to learn how to read a smart thermostat, but they don’t. These thermostats have simple user interfaces that anyone can navigate. You can also use your smartphone to make adjustments or even a virtual assistant to do the work for you. 

7. Can Send Maintenance Reminders

Life gets busy, and it’s easy to forget the last time your HVAC system had a maintenance check. Depending on which smart thermostat you buy, it can send you reminders when it’s time for a check-up. It’s like having an assistant for HVAC needs. 

Schedule a smart thermostat consultation now. We service Utah and Nevada homeowners.

Cons

Here are five cons of using a smart thermostat:

1. Programming Problems

While they are easy to use, smart thermostats can have programming issues. Whether it’s a calibration problem or a sensor malfunction, it can be difficult to solve such an issue if you are unfamiliar with how these thermostats work. 

Programming problems can make your HVAC system turn on and off when it doesn’t need to, leading to wasted energy and higher bills—plus, an uncomfortable home.

If you have any issues, YES! can help. Call 844-216-9300!

2. Security Concerns

Sometimes, hackers can use smart thermostats to access your personal information and Wi-Fi networks. However, keeping up with regular system updates will minimize the chances of that occurring. 

If you are concerned about these problems, a traditional thermostat may be better suited for you.

3. Upfront Costs

We know what you’re thinking—how much does a smart thermostat cost? 

Smart thermostat installation starts at $99. This can cost more if your current thermostat wiring isn’t set up to support a smart thermostat. But remember, these thermostats are a long-term investment. A Nest Learning Thermostat can save you $131 to $145 a year in energy costs. 

Not to mention, with benefits like utility rebates, you can make back some of your investment. Of those who purchased a Nest Learning Thermostat, 89% were satisfied with their device.

Check out our Nest thermostat services!

4. Complicated Installation

Installing or replacing your old thermostat with a new smart thermostat can be complicated. The most common issue is the wiring. Smart thermostats have more wiring needs than traditional thermostats. The C-wire is crucial for smart thermostats, and if your home doesn’t have one, it needs to be installed. 

However, this con can be solved easily by calling YES! We can install a smart thermostat for you, and you can sit back and relax. 

5. Wi-Fi Dependency

Smart thermostats depend on Wi-Fi to work, so connectivity issues can affect them. A Wi-Fi outage can interrupt your thermostat's work, and it may need a refresh once the Wi-Fi is stable. 

If your Wi-Fi goes out often, a traditional thermostat may be the better option for you.

How Do I Choose a Smart Thermostat?

There are different types of smart thermostats available. How do you choose the right one for your family and home? 

Here are two key questions to consider as you’re shopping around: 

• Does your home have different temperatures in certain areas? If yes, you might want to choose a thermostat that offers portable sensors. You can place these sensors in specific areas of your home (particularly the areas that have distinct temperatures). 

• How often are you home? If you follow a pretty consistent schedule, finding a smart thermostat with an embedded learning algorithm is helpful. That way, it can easily adapt to your lifestyle. If you travel quite a bit, make sure you get one that provides remote access or a “home away” feature. 

Can I Replace My Current Thermostat with a Smart Thermostat?

Yes, you can replace your current thermostat with a smart thermostat. It’s a bit complicated to do on your own. You have to physically switch out the thermostats, of course, but there’s also the aspect of the electrical wiring. You must also ensure that the smart thermostat is compatible with your HVAC system.

It’s easy for a professional to do, though. YES! technicians can do it in a single afternoon. 

Call 844-216-9300 to schedule an appointment today!

Recommended: Three Symptoms of a Bad Thermostat and How Long Do Thermostats Last? (And When to Get a New One)

What Are the System Requirements for a Smart Thermostat?

The system requirements for a smart thermostat depend on the manufacturer and the type of HVAC system you have. Not all thermostats work with all HVAC systems. 

The best way to find a thermostat’s compatibility is through the manufacturer’s website. You can also ask a professional YES! technician. All our staff have extensive knowledge of smart thermostats.

You also need a C wire, which older homes may not have. This will require a professional electrician to come and add the wiring to your home. 

The Process of Smart Thermostat Integration 

Installing and integrating a smart thermostat can be difficult if you don’t have experience. We highly recommend you hire a professional to handle it because you could not only harm yourself or your home, but you could also void your warranty. 

If you’ve already determined the proper compatibility for your HVAC system and thermostat, the process will look something like this:

1. Turn off your HVAC system.

2. Remove the face plate.

3. Determine if you have enough wiring (If you don’t have enough wires, stop what you are doing and call an electrician).

4. Remove the back plate.

5. Install the new backplate.

6. Connect wires.

7. Install the new faceplate.

8. Connect to Wi-Fi.

While this may sound like a simple list, it can take all day if you have no experience. Save yourself time and hassle by calling YES! 

An improperly installed smart thermostat can raise your energy bills, make your home uncomfortable, and cause damage to your HVAC system. You also need to worry about the potential damage you can do to your home during installation. 

Schedule a consultation at 844-216-9300.

Who Installs a Smart Thermostat?

An electrician or HVAC technician can install a smart thermostat. Luckily for you, YES! has technicians for both HVAC and electrical needs. Whether you need a new smart thermostat or are upgrading your current one, our technicians can help you. 

They will assess your home’s needs and budget to provide you with the best options—if you don’t already have a thermostat in mind. They can also answer your questions before and after the installation to ensure you feel confident in your decision.

YES! offers multiple service guarantees so you can have peace of mind. We can help with thermostat repairs, too! 

Call YES! for All of Your Thermostat Needs

Interested in upgrading to a smart thermostat? We’re proud to offer multiple brands and models to help you select the right option for your home. Our technicians are experienced with both electrical and HVAC systems, making them uniquely qualified to assist you with all steps of adding a smart thermostat to your home.

You can find out more about our home heating and cooling products, services, and specials in the Las Vegas and Salt Lake City areas when you check us out online.

Call YES! today at 844-216-9300 for a free consultation!