Temperatures in programmable thermostats can be set based on a schedule but require manual updates for change. Smart thermostats have advanced features like remote control, automation, and integration with smart home systems.
Which one you choose is really up to you, but keep in mind that you'll pay a bit more for the innovative features of a smart thermostat. However, if you like the idea of being able to remotely control the temperature of your home or have an irregular schedule, this type might be a better fit for your lifestyle.
Smart Thermostats Can Be Expensive: The cost of a normal digital thermostat can be as low as $30.00 but many smart thermostats can be a bit more expensive.
Desired Features: If you prioritize convenience, automation, and integration with other smart home devices, a smart thermostat could be the right choice. However, if you're content with manually adjusting your home's temperature and foregoing advanced features, a traditional thermostat might suffice.
Energy savings: A smart thermostat can save you a modest amount of money on your electric bills. According to ENERGY STAR, the average savings are about 8 percent, or $50 a year.
Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal before you wake or return home. Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner.
On average, savings are approximately 8% of heating and cooling bills or $50 per year. Savings may be greater depending on climate, personal comfort preferences, occupancy, and/or heating/cooling (HVAC) equipment.
Choosing the right thermostat for your home is more than a matter of comfort—it's a decision that impacts your energy bills and overall household efficiency. While non-programmable thermostats offer simplicity, programmable options bring a new level of control and savings to your HVAC system.
Your smart thermostat itself may not offer much to cybercriminals, but your phone, computer, and router on the same network likely do. Attackers could use your thermostat to break into your network, using it as a backdoor to the devices it connects to.
In simple terms, your HVAC system continues to run despite the lack of a Wi-Fi connection. How does this work? Most thermostats will maintain the current settings when the internet goes down. However, you might not be able to change or readjust the temperature settings remotely.
The answer is yes; a smart thermostat can replace a regular one. However, the installation becomes more complex in certain situations. For example, newer homes have a C-wire (common wire) in them, while many older ones don't. Most smart thermostats require a C-wire.
A Nest Thermostat, as demonstrated, may easily be compromised during transport, deployment, or by an attacker having access to it on a non-secure location. As demonstrated above, it can then become a client on a botnet.
For the best energy savings, a smart thermostat will be your best choice. For easy-to-use technology with some programmable features, choose a digital or programmable thermostat. If budget is a top concern, select an analog or mechanical thermostat.
Programmable Thermostat vs. Smart Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is not “smart” because it is unable to automatically adapt to your schedule and will only perform what you have programmed it to do. It is not connected to Wi-Fi so changes to your schedule will not be reflected in your heating and cooling schedule.
Manual thermostats are the simplest type of thermostat. They require you to adjust the temperature settings manually whenever you want to change the heating or cooling in your home. While they don't offer the convenience of automation, manual thermostats are straightforward to use and typically cost less upfront.
In the winter, set your thermostat to 68 degrees or the lowest comfortable temperature. In warmer months, set it to 78 degrees or higher. It's a no-cost option to reduce energy expenses. At night or when you're going to be away from home for an extended period, adjust the thermostat a few more degrees.
You can choose from many types of smart thermostats, and each one works differently. Some thermostats charge a monthly subscription fee if you want to use the remote control features to adjust the settings via your smartphone. Other options connect to apps that don't charge a monthly fee.
Brands claim up to 26 percent savings on heating and cooling bills. But some experts say that's an overstatement. The Environmental Protection Agency, for instance, estimates approved smart thermostats can save households about 8 percent on bills, or about $50 a year.
Your best option is to have a C-wire properly installed and run to your new thermostat, which means it will require an electrician's expertise. Even if you find a DIY article or video online, the risk to your health or home isn't worth it when dealing electrical wiring.
You want to be comfortable, but also use an efficient temperature that doesn't potentially increase your energy costs. The best thermostat setting for summer is 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. Energy.gov also suggests raising your thermostat or turning it off entirely when you are away in the summer.
Do the Benefits of Nest Thermostats Outweigh the Cons? Although there are many benefits to installing a Nest thermostat, the Nest does have some drawbacks- the price-tag is high, the temperature isn't precise, and it takes some time to teach it your ways.