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Living in a desert climate means dealing with extreme temperature swings. This presents certain challenges in maintaining a comfortable temperature in your house. With average high temperatures in California’s Imperial Valley exceeding 100 degrees from June through September, trying to stay cool can be expensive.
Regular maintenance and upgrading your outdated HVAC system are two of the most effective ways to reduce energy bills. Additionally, switching to a smart thermostat in El Centro can also help lower bills while increasing comfort. Here, we’ll talk about how a smart thermostat installation can reduce costs and why installing one is a wise idea.
Lower Cooling and Heating Costs
There is still considerable confusion about what exactly smart thermostats are and how they work. Many people wrongly believe that they aren’t much different from a standard programmable thermostat. Some think the only difference between the two types of units is Wi-Fi. They also believe smart thermostats are only about remote control. The truth is that modern smart thermostats offer a range of advanced features that extend far beyond internet access and remote controls. Some are specifically designed to improve HVAC efficiency and lower a household’s energy bills.
The amount you can save with a smart thermostat depends on several factors, including the type of HVAC system you have, its efficiency, and the size of your home. Research shows smart thermostats lower annual energy bills by 8% to 12%. Standard programmable thermostats don’t provide the same savings. In areas like ours that experience extremely hot summer weather, your expected savings could potentially be even higher. Below are some of the ways a smart thermostat helps save energy.
Learning Capability
For instance, many models have a learning capability that allows them to adjust their own temperature settings. This typically involves using motion sensors to determine when people are typically at home and when they usually go to bed. The thermostat takes this information and runs it through an algorithm. It then determines the optimal temperature settings for various times of the day. The goal is to save energy without reducing comfort in your home.
After just a few weeks, the thermostat gathers enough information to determine when everyone leaves for the day, returns, gets out of bed, and goes to sleep. It will then start turning the AC or heating up or down, based on this schedule. The result is that the HVAC system saves energy by operating at a lower level when the house is empty or when everyone is asleep. It also ensures that your house is always at your desired temperature when you’re home and awake.
Geo-Fencing
Some smart thermostats offer geo-fencing. This feature uses the GPS on your phone to detect when you come and go. If you deviate from your normal routine, it can automatically adjust temperatures to your home or away setting.
Adjust to Real-Time Weather Conditions
Choosing a smart thermostat with weather monitoring capabilities is also useful for combating our extreme heat and temperature swings. By monitoring the weather, the thermostat can make automatic adjustments on the fly. It can start the heating or cooling cycle earlier than normal to prevent the house from ever being too hot or too cold. At the same time, it ensures the HVAC system doesn’t run more than necessary.
Available Rebates
Homeowners who replace an existing standard thermostat with a smart thermostat may also be eligible for additional rebates. Customers of the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) can receive a $50 rebate by purchasing and installing an ENERGY STAR-qualified smart thermostat. As of the time of writing, this rebate program is only set to run through the end of 2025, and you must apply for the rebate by December 31.
The statewide Golden State Rebates program offers a $40 or $75 rebate coupon that you can use when purchasing a smart thermostat. You can apply the $40 rebate can to the purchase of any qualifying Amazon smart thermostat. Qualifying ENERGY STAR smart thermostats purchased through participating retail stores are eligible for a $75 rebate. To be eligible for the rebate, you must have both an air conditioner and a gas furnace. You must also install the thermostat within 60 days of purchase; otherwise, you may be required to refund the amount of the discount. Although this rebate program is currently paused, it is tentatively scheduled to reopen later this year.
Reduced Wear and Tear
A smart thermostat can also provide hidden savings. It may help reduce the chances of your HVAC system needing repairs and potentially extend its lifespan. The first way it does this is by ensuring your HVAC system only runs when necessary. This helps reduce unnecessary wear and tear.
Smart thermostats can help you keep on top of maintenance tasks. You can set it to send you alerts when it’s time to schedule annual tune-ups. It can also remind you when you need to replace the air filter in your HVAC system. Ensuring your HVAC system is properly maintained helps you save money on energy bills and minimizes the strain it experiences when running.
All ENERGY STAR smart thermostats have a feature in the app that provides an overview of your HVAC system’s energy usage. This feature is helpful when trying to find the right balance between energy savings and comfort. It tells you how adjustments to your daily temperature settings will impact how much your HVAC system will run and how much energy it will use. It also allows you to continually monitor the system’s performance to make sure it’s working as efficiently as it normally does. If you notice that the efficiency is declining, you can schedule one of our technicians to diagnose and repair the system.
Scheduling repairs at the first sign of trouble helps prevent escalating damage that could result in more expensive repairs and a shortened system lifespan. You should never wait to have your HVAC system checked if it has any issues that affect its efficiency or effectiveness. One reason is that the system will always have to run more when it isn’t working efficiently. Waiting results in increased energy use and unnecessary wear and tear.
The greater concern is that even small issues can quickly escalate into more significant problems. This can lead to the system requiring additional repairs, some of which could be extremely costly. In the worst-case scenario, the increased damage could necessitate a complete system replacement. Early identification and repair can usually keep costs down and prevent your energy bills from being higher than necessary.
Always Rely on the Professionals
If you want to upgrade to a smart thermostat in El Centro, turn to the AC and heating service experts at Arctic Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ve been serving homeowners throughout the area for over 30 years. In addition to helping you switch to a smart thermostat, our expert technicians are always ready to tackle any problems you may encounter with your HVAC system.
To get help choosing the right smart thermostat for your home or to schedule any other cooling or heating service, contact us today.
