Cut Energy Costs: Should You Install a Smart Thermostat in Houston?

Sweltering temperatures are a way of life in Houston. As locals know all too well, the summer brings extreme heat and humidity that keeps air conditioners running non-stop for months. With AC accounting for over half of the average Houston home’s electricity use, finding ways to optimize your system is crucial for lowering energy bills.

One solution growing in popularity is smart thermostats. These WiFi-connected devices allow you to control temperatures remotely and program advanced schedules optimized for efficiency. Smart thermostats also utilize sensors and algorithms to learn your usage patterns, automatically adjusting cooling needs throughout the day.

But do smart thermostats really help cut costs in Houston’s climate? With so many options on the market, how do you choose the best one? This guide examines the benefits of installing a smart thermostat in Houston homes and provides tips for selecting the right model.

How Do Smart Thermostats Cut Energy Costs?

Traditional programmable thermostats are a good first step for increasing efficiency, allowing you to set different temperatures for when you are home, asleep or away. The downside is having to manually adjust the programming as schedules change. This often leads to overriding program settings for convenience, losing potential savings.

Smart thermostats take convenience a step further by using automated features and capabilities that optimize energy use beyond what’s possible with programmable models:

• Remote access and control – Smart thermostats can be adjusted from your smartphone, allowing you to set the temperature to your liking before arriving home or turn it up when away. This avoids having it run unnecessarily when not needed.
• Adaptive learning – Sensors monitor thermostat usage over time and identify patterns. The system leverages this data to automatically adjust heating and cooling for maximum comfort when you are home, minimizing runtime when you are not.
• Geofencing integration – Using your phone’s location services, smart thermostats can detect when you are leaving and approaching your home. This allows it to automatically switch to away or home modes and have the right temperature upon arrival.
• Weather optimization – Local weather data provides input to the system for optimal efficiency. For example, setting the temperature slightly higher on cooler days or when humidity is lower.
• Smart scheduling – Built-in algorithms generate advanced schedules tailored to your home’s unique efficiency needs based on data like insulation levels, window efficiency and local climate patterns.
• Smart recovery – The system learns how long your home takes to reach set temperature levels and activates heating/cooling at the ideal time to avoid dramatic spikes in energy use.
• Energy tracking – Smart thermostats provide detailed insights into your home’s energy use through the connected app, helping identify additional ways to save.

Which Brands of Smart Thermostats Are Best?

The smart thermostat market has exploded in recent years, with numerous options from brands like Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell, Emerson and more. With so many choices, it can be tricky to determine which model is right for your home. Here are some of the top brands and models to consider for Houston households:

Nest Thermostats

Nest pioneered the smart thermostat market and remains a top choice, now owned by Google. Their thermostats have a sleek, user-friendly design and integrate seamlessly with other Google smart home devices.

1. Nest Learning Thermostat – The flagship Nest model is best suited for homeowners who want maximum automation and efficiency. It uses built-in sensors and algorithms to learn your schedule and optimize cooling. The latest version works with 85% of heating and cooling systems.
2. Nest Temperature Sensor – This add-on sensor allows the Nest thermostat to monitor temperatures in specific rooms and average readings to determine settings. Useful for two-story homes to ensure comfort on upper floors.
3. Nest Thermostat E – A more affordable and streamlined option, but still offers smart features like remote access, scheduling and energy tracking. A great budget-friendly pick.

Ecobee SmartThermostats

Ecobee is another top brand known for offering some of the most advanced smart thermostat features:

1. Ecobee SmartThermostat – Includes a built-in Alexa voice assistant, remote sensors, touchscreen display and integration with smart home devices. Uses multiple sensors to detect occupancy and adjust settings room-by-room.
2. Ecobee SmartThermostat Enhanced – Has all the same features but adds an external wireless temperature/occupancy sensor to provide even more precise temperature monitoring and control.
3. Ecobee Lite SmartThermostat – A budget version with the core smart features but lacks remote sensors. Still offers advanced scheduling, Alexa, and energy insights.

Honeywell Smart Thermostats

Honeywell’s smart thermostats integrate with other Honeywell devices and services:

1. Honeywell Home T9 – Works with a variety of HVAC systems and uses multiple sensors to detect motion and humidity levels, adjusting itself accordingly. Control through app or voice assistants.
2. Honeywell Home T10 – Includes all T9 features plus a touchscreen display for easy temperature adjustments and program creation.
3. Honeywell Lyric Series – Budget-friendly options like Lyric T5 provide basic smart controls. Higher-end Lyric T6 adds geofencing, a touchscreen, and remote indoor sensor.

Emerson Sensi Smart Thermostats

Emerson’s Sensi line focuses on easy touchscreen operation and practical smart features:

1. Emerson Sensi Touch WiFi Thermostat – Allows programming and remote access through an intuitive color touchscreen. Straightforward design suitable for basic smart controls.
2. Emerson Sensi Predict – Uses location data and weather forecasts to optimize cooling needs up to 3 days in advance for greater efficiency.
3. Emerson Sensi Climate Control System – Includes remote indoor and outdoor sensors to monitor temperatures in each room and make automated adjustments.

What Are the Benefits of Smart Thermostats for Houston Homes?

From beating the heat to budget savings, smart thermostats offer a variety of benefits that make them well worth considering in Houston homes:

Keep Your Home Comfortable in Extreme Temperatures

Houston’s long, hot summers and humidity put air conditioners through the wringer. Smart thermostats help ensure your system runs optimally to maintain indoor comfort when you need it most. With remote access via your phone, you can also check on home temperatures and adjust the thermostat anytime.

Reduce Energy Bills and Save Money

By optimizing cooling schedules and usage patterns, smart thermostats can lead to significant savings on summer energy bills. Most homeowners see savings of 8-15% on HVAC costs after installing one. Over the device’s lifespan, it more than makes up for the upfront price with long-term savings.

Enjoy Convenience and Ease of Use

Programming a thermostat can be a hassle. Smart thermostats make it easy through intuitive mobile apps, voice commands, and automated scheduling. Things like glancing at your phone on the way home to preheat or cool the house are simple conveniences that enhance daily life.

Gain Insights Into Your Energy Use

The energy tracking features on most models provide detailed data about your home’s heating and cooling usage. This allows you to identify additional ways to save, like adjusting your program schedule or targeting areas of your home needing better insulation.

Integrate With Other Smart Devices

Many smart thermostats work with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit. This allows you to control temperatures through voice commands and tie HVAC into automations with other devices like lights, locks and appliances.

Take Advantage of Rebates and Incentives

Many utility companies and municipalities offer rebates and incentives for installing a smart thermostat due to their energy-saving capabilities. In Houston, CenterPoint Energy customers can earn an $85 rebate for installing select smart thermostat models.

Tips for Choosing the Right Smart Thermostat

Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a smart thermostat model for your Houston home:

• Compatibility – Confirm the thermostat works with your existing HVAC system – ideally 5-wire systems are best. Look for models that support 85-90% of systems.
• Features – Decide which smart features are priorities like mobile access, adaptive learning, multi-sensor support etc. Choose advanced options if wanting maximum efficiency.
• Design – Make sure the display and settings are intuitive for you or other household members to use. Touchscreens offer ease of use.
• Platform – If you have other smart devices, choose a model within your ecosystem like Google Home or Amazon Alexa for seamless integration.
• Price – Smart thermostats roughly range from $130 on the lower end to $250 for premium models. Set a budget and look for rebates to offset costs.
• Sensors – For multi-level homes, look for models with add-on remote sensors to monitor temperatures in each zone.
• Contractor Help – Consider having an HVAC contractor install your smart thermostat to ensure proper setup and compatibility with your system.

Professional Installation for Seamless Smart Thermostat Setup

Installing smart thermostats requires working with wiring and making connections to your HVAC system. While some homeowners may feel comfortable doing a DIY install, many opt to have the thermostat professionally installed by a local heating and cooling contractor.

Turbo Home Services in Houston offers expert smart thermostat installation and setup services to ensure your system is properly configured for optimal performance. Their NATE-certified technicians will:

• Confirm your HVAC system is compatible and has the proper wiring in place
• Remove your old thermostat and install the new smart thermostat securely on the wall
• Connect all wiring and configure the new device settings and preferences
• Connect to your home WiFi network and mobile apps for remote access
• Provide an overview of the new thermostat’s features and operation
• Offer tips for customizing the thermostat programming and settings

Investing in a smart thermostat is one of the best ways for Houston households to save significantly on energy costs each summer. But their advanced efficiency features are only worthwhile if installed and set up correctly.

Turbo Home Services does professional smart thermostat installations starting at just $189 with a 5-year labor warranty, giving you peace of mind your system will operate properly for years to come.

To learn more about smart thermostat installation or other Houston HVAC services, contact the experts at Turbo Home Services today at (281) 626-5938 or visit https://turbohomeservices.com/contact-us/. With reliable technicians and financing options available, they make it easy to get your home ready for summer’s sweltering temperatures.