As technology continues to move forward, our homes are getting smarter. This includes our thermostats. Wi-Fi-enabled smart home thermostats have become a popular choice for those who enjoy technology and have a busy lifestyle or simply want more control over their home’s temperature and energy costs.

Smart home thermostats let you remotely control your home’s temperature with your smartphone, tablet or computer and can learn your behavior to adjust the temperature based on your schedule. Some can even use your smartphone GPS to detect when you’re on your usual route home and set your home to your desired temperature so it’s ready when you arrive.

There are a few smart thermostats on the market that retail for about $100, but you can expect to pay between $200 and $500 on average when shopping at a big box store like Lowes or the Home Depot. Smart thermostats are not necessarily plug-and-play, so you will also want to take into consideration the cost of having it installed by an experienced HVAC contractor who can help you set it up and teach you how to use it. If you purchase a smart thermostat through an HVAC contractor, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1000 depending on the brand.

Even with the upfront costs of buying and installing a smart thermostat, there are many features that can help you save money in the future.

Cost-Saving Features of Smart Thermostats

Energy Cost Analysis

A smart thermostat can show you how much money you spend on heating and cooling in real time. You can use this insight to adjust your program settings to help reduce energy consumption.

Program the Temperature Remotely

Similar to a programmable thermostat, a Wi-Fi thermostat allows you to schedule different temperatures for specific times of the day or days of the week for multiple rooms from your mobile device. This can help you save on energy costs if you leave home and forget to adjust your temperature settings.

Maintenance Reminders

Communication is not a one-way street with many types of smart thermostats. Most have notifications that can remind you when to perform simple maintenance, like replacing a filter, or if there is an issue with the system. In fact, the Carrier® Infinity® Touch Control Thermostat will send an alert to Bell Brothers to let us know which part of your system needs attention. Staying on top of maintenance all year long can help you avoid costly repairs.

Over time, these cost-saving measures can offset the upfront cost of a smart thermostat, but you will want to make sure you find one that meets your needs and fits your budget.

Find a Compatible Smart Thermostat

Many HVAC manufactures, including Carrier, sell smart thermostats, but other brands are available as well. When looking at brands like the Nest or Ecobee, you need to make sure they are compatible with your internet provider and your HVAC system.