When Homes Get Hot, Here's How Much Cash Smart Thermostats Can Save You

CNET

5 days ago

While the hottest days call for serious AC, cooling your home doesn't have to be an energy drain. Smart thermostats, in particular, can juggle your cooling schedule with energy-efficient automation. That leads to savings, but if you're going to drop a couple of hundred dollars on a thermostat, you're probably wondering just how much savings.
Adina Roth, product lead for the Nest Learning Thermostat, told me, "Some of my favorite features that I notice improve savings are the automatic adjustments with Smart Schedule, Auto-Eco energy-saving shifts and Seasonal Savings." Nest isn't the only thermostat that has these features, either. Smart models from Ecobee, Honeywell Home, Amazon and others have similar modes.
I've charted the expenses myself and compared them with what the research says. The results are promising, especially when it comes to smart thermostats paying for themselves. Here are the numbers you should know.
Read more: Renters Can Buy Smart Thermostats Too, But They May Want to Hurry
How smart thermostats save money
Thermostat sensors can go anywhere to monitor specific temperatures.
Google Nest
Smart thermostat savings come in two parts. First, you save money by implementing heating and cooling settings that lower the house's energy usage. Technically, you can do this with any thermostat, but smart thermostats make it especially easy with their eco modes and suggestions, which means the average user typically starts saving more money when they adopt a smart thermostat.
The second part of savings involves more unique smart thermostat capabilities, such as learning algorithms and portable wireless sensors. Learning capabilities on today's smart thermostats can collect data on when activities start and end in the house, and then start making programming adjustments themselves based on when people get up in the morning, when they arrive home, how their activities change over the weekend, and so on. Added together, that usually leads to more accurate implementation of eco modes and lowered settings that save money.
Set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit or below when winter comes knocking.
Tyler Lacoma/CNET
Greg Fyke, president and CEO at Ecobee, explained a little more about how features like these save money with minimal effort. "For example, if you leave for work at 8 a.m., our smart thermostats can proactively lower the temperature while you are away to conserve energy and preheat or precool your home to ensure that your house is at your desired temperature when you return. This means lower utility bills and a more efficient home without sacrificing comfort."
The wireless satellite sensors also help, as they allow smart thermostats to turn off heating/cooling not based on where the thermostat is, but where the sensor is placed. If that's an especially cool or warm spot (like a hot living room on movie night), the thermostat shuts down early enough to save more money.
Average annual savings from a smart thermostat
Nest's thermostat is pretty but the real advantage is the savings inside.
Tyler Lacoma/CNET
Combined, these features add up to notable savings. Google Nest's research, for instance, showed that users of the Nest Learning Thermostat saved an average of 12% to 15% per year without making other major changes. That works out to between $131 and $145 dollars annually, not too shabby for a single device upgrade.
When I asked Ecobee, they reported that users could save up to 26% by installing one of their smart thermostats. That's a high-end example, but if it works out, people could save around $250 a year by making the switch -- especially if they haven't done much thermostat optimization before.
Keep in mind, these numbers also work for renters who pay for their electricity. However, renters will probably need to get permission to install a smart thermostat.
Paying off a smart thermostat
Learning thermostats tend to pay for themselves.
Google/CNET
It's also important to consider the initial cost of a smart thermostat. Prices can range from around $100 for the cheapest models to more than $350 for top models with all the bells and whistles.
The good news is that thanks to the average savings, almost every smart thermostat purchase will pay for itself within a year or two. Then your smart thermostat can really start saving you money.
Participating in a peak usage program
Smart displays can control compatible thermostats with a touch.
Google Nest/CNET
There's also another option to save even more money with a smart thermostat. When I talked to the nonprofit Energy Trust of Oregon, its spokesperson mentioned that users could go the extra mile and link a smart thermostat with programs called "Connected Savings" or similar names.
These programs allow utility companies to make minor adjustments to your thermostat during peak use hours or special events to help save money and earn energy discounts. The problem is that you do have to give up some control, and you can't guarantee the utility companies won't make your house uncomfortable to live in (from what we and Reddit have seen, their decision-making can vary greatly).
If you don't want to connect with utility companies directly, Ecobee offers an interesting alternative. It lets you connect with its Community Energy Savings program, which is very similar but basically takes care of the details for you. Ecobee reports you can earn up to $125 extra as a gift for participating in the program.
What about rebates?
Ecobee's Smart Thermostat Premium may be available with rebates in the right locations.
Jon Reed/CNET
We can't guarantee rebates or incentives to buy a smart thermostat, but it's a really good idea to look for them in your local programs. Many utility companies offer a rebate just for buying a smart thermostat, especially if it's Energy Star-rated (as many are). A number of power company websites will have a list of thermostat models that qualify, or more information about how to participate.
On your way to saving money, stop by our guide to the easiest ways to save energy around the home, how smart plugs can help you save energy and quick spring tricks for device management.