Are Smart Thermostats Worth It?

Heating and cooling make up roughly half of a typical home's energy use. A thermostat that adjusts automatically when you sleep or leave the house attacks that biggest cost directly.

How smart thermostats save energy

• Schedules and learning: they lower heating or raise cooling setpoints when you sleep or are away.
• Geofencing: using your phone's location, they detect when everyone has left and when someone is heading home.
• Remote control: forgot to turn it down before vacation? Fix it from your phone.
• Usage reports: monthly reports show how settings affect runtime.

What can you expect to save?

Savings depend on your habits. If you already use a programmable thermostat consistently, extra savings are smaller. If your thermostat stays at the same temperature all day, savings can be larger.

Before you buy

• Check wiring: many smart thermostats need a C-wire (common wire) for constant power. Some include an adapter.
• Heat pumps: choose a model that supports heat pumps and auxiliary heat to avoid unnecessary use of expensive backup heat.
• Utility rebates: many utilities offer $50–$100 rebates or even free thermostats, sometimes in exchange for joining a demand-response program.

Settings that maximize savings

1. Set back 7–10 °F while sleeping or away in winter.
2. In summer, set 78 °F when home and higher when away.
3. Enable eco or away modes and geofencing.
4. For heat pumps, use smaller setbacks so backup heat doesn't kick in.