7 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Smart Thermostat in Hampstead, NC

If you have a smart thermostat, you may wonder how you can use it to improve your home’s energy efficiency and increase indoor comfort. Although smart thermostats help your HVAC work better and use less energy, many homeowners in Hampstead, NC aren’t taking advantage of all the features these devices have to offer. Here are seven tips to get the most out of your smart thermostat throughout every day and every season.

1. Schedule Around Your Day

The first step to take after installing a smart thermostat is to set up a schedule around your daily routine. Consider the times when you are at home and away, and adjust your thermostat’s schedule to use less energy when your home is empty and when everyone is sleeping. If you have pets that stay indoors, don’t forget to account for their safety and comfort when creating your schedule.

2. Utilize Programmable Settings

Many smart thermostats take the guesswork out of scheduling with programmable settings for a variety of situations like vacations, work, weekends or sleeping. Take advantage of these settings to quickly program your thermostat when you don’t have time to set up a customized schedule. Learning all the settings included with your thermostat can help you optimize climate control and energy usage with the touch of a button.

3. Block the Sun

Is your thermostat located near a door or window that heats up during the day? The warmth of the sun can waste energy by causing your system to cool when it doesn’t need to, so take care to keep sunlight away from your thermostat. Some smart thermostats often include a sun-blocking feature that automatically adjusts the temperature to accommodate for direct sunlight, or you can use a light-blocking curtain or a thermostat cover.

4. Minimize Temperature Changes

The precision that a smart thermostat offers is great, but being too specific about your temperature preferences can cost you money. Your home’s HVAC uses more energy when raising or lowering the temperature significantly within a short period of time, and large temperature fluctuations can raise your energy bills even if you have a smart thermostat. Set your smart thermostat to avoid temperature changes that exceed six degrees if you want to maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature without causing your system to work too hard.

5. Take Advantage of Sensors

Many smart thermostats feature sensors that can pick up on daily activities and adjust the temperature accordingly. These sensors know when someone opens a door or window, uses the stove or takes a steamy shower. Take advantage of these sensors to help keep your home’s temperature just right.

6. Consider Turning Auto-Schedule Off

You might think that your smart thermostat’s auto-schedule feature is an easy way to maximize its performance. However, significant weather changes from day to day make it difficult for your thermostat to predict the temperature, which can increase energy usage and cause your home to be too hot or too cold. If the weather in Hampstead is cold one day and milder the next, disabling the auto-scheduling feature can significantly reduce the amount of energy spent on heating and cooling.

7. Use Voice Controls if Available

Does your smart thermostat include a voice control feature? Take advantage of it by controlling your home’s temperature from the comfort of your sofa, bed or even the bathtub. Voice controls help you make the most of your thermostat by allowing hands-free temperature adjustments no matter what you’re doing.

A smart thermostat is an effective way for homeowners in Hampstead, NC to heat and cool their homes more efficiently. Would you like to install a smart thermostat in your home or upgrade the one you already have? Call Airmax Heating & Cooling to learn about our home automation zoning services that can save you time and money while keeping your home more comfortable.

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