Oceanside CA– It seems like only yesterday when an Internet connection meant staying within the lengths of a wire. Now we’re in a new Renaissance of sorts, the era of Wi-Fi. The U.S., along with the rest of the world, is embracing the freedom of wireless connections.
According to a study completed in 2011 by Strategy Analytics, over 61 percent of households in the U.S. were equipped with Wi-Fi, with numbers growing significantly year over year. Not only has this advancement changed the way we connect and communicate, it completely redesigned the way our technology functions within our homes and businesses. In fact, many American households are converting from traditional thermostats to Wi-Fi thermostats, also known as smart thermostats.
This transition saw an increase earlier this year when news broke that Google acquired Nest®, now one of the most popular Wi-Fi thermostat options, for $3.2 billion, according to Forbes.
A Wi-Fi thermostat allows homeowners to wirelessly control everything from the temperature in each room from the comfort of the living room recliner to automatically cooling or heating the home when the phone location is detected a set distance away. How do you know if your home is equipped to handle a Wi-Fi thermostat? It’s important to first consult a heating and air conditioning professional to review the home in question and evaluate the state of the current system. From there, the professional can consult you on the best Wi-Fi thermostat options to suit your needs and schedule an installation. Often times, homeowners attempt to DIY with smart thermostats, but this can interfere with the existing system. A professional can ensure a proper and efficient installation, making sure that the home’s indoor environment is performing at optimum levels and none of the other equipment is compromised.
If you’re wondering if your home could benefit from a Wi-Fi enabled thermostat installation, below are few facts that can affect you, your wallet, your home and the planet:
Serious Savings. According to the EPA’s Energy Star program, homes with Wi-Fi enabled thermostats save an average of $180 per year on heating and cooling.
Piece of Cake Programming. Smart thermostats often have clear and easy to understand displays that can even send alerts when there is an issue with the system. It can also indicate when it is time for a maintenance check. Plus, since the device is enabled with Wi-Fi, it can be programmed to whatever temperature you desire from anywhere with a wireless connection, with the help of mobile apps, typically provided to you by the thermostat’s manufacturer.
Wonderfully Waste-Free. If you’re the forgetful type, “learning models” have the ability to turn off when you leave your home and turn on just in time to reach your desired temperature as you return home. By just going about your daily business, your thermostat will learn to keep your home comfortable whenever you’re there, while powering down and saving energy when you’re not.
Coordinated Connections. Wi-Fi enabled thermostats do an excellent job at communicating with your heating and cooling system, allowing for precise control over the comfort of your home. Many also communicate with outdoor sensors, displaying accurate readings of outdoor conditions while adjusting your home’s HVAC system accordingly.
Amazing Accessibility. Wi-Fi enabled thermostats can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection. With the help of a mobile device, you can access your heating and cooling system anywhere from the comfort of your own bed to the other side of the planet! Nothing is off limits with a stable Internet connection.
The science, the savings and all the other benefits are there. Your next step is to consult a professional on the state and efficiency of your current thermostat. There’s always room for improvement, and professionals like those at ARS® are happy to help you find out which model of thermostat would best fit your home.
To learn more, Art Hagopian, service manager of ARS® serving San Diego area. To schedule an appointment please visit www.arssandiego.com.