The Smart Way To Go

It is no surprise that the weather in Texas can go from one extreme to another, often skipping milder seasons in between. The scorching summer days and the blistering winter cold can take a heavy toll on everyone’s electric bill. In the last three years, a La Niña climate pattern has hung around. Though an El Niño pattern settled in across the country this year, Texas experienced another hot, dry summer like last year. This summer has been one for the record books, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). The organization declared, “A new, all-time, unofficial peak demand record of 85,435 MW was set on Aug. 10.” Throughout this summer, ERCOT set nine previous all-time daily peak demands, until finally reaching the climax and current demand record.

When extreme temperatures hit, energy usage quickly elevates. This could be due in large part to the extended runtimes of HVAC systems, which, according to United’s Energy Solutions Team, can comprise 60 percent of monthly electric usage. Finding ways to lower the runtime of an HVAC system will lead to significant savings. The steering wheel to driving your HVAC unit is the thermostat. The thermostat regulates the temperature in your home by calling on your HVAC unit to heat or cool the space.

Mercury thermostats were the original control—invented in 1620 by Cornelis Drebbel. Drebbel wanted to regulate the temperatures in a chicken incubator. This type of thermostat was widely used for over 100 years with central AC systems until the digital programmable thermostats came around in the 1980s.

Digital thermostats use complex circuits to control the temperature and have quickly evolved to include programmable capabilities. Thermostat manufacturers have continued improving thermostat functions as technology has advanced. Technology advancements have helped usher in the smart thermostat market that we are all acclimated to today.

Smart thermostats have been available for well over a decade. Each year, new and improved thermostats hit the market. Smart thermostats are connected to Wi-Fi, allowing the occupants to access more settings than previously available on a digital thermostat.

Smart thermostats can also use motion sensors, or even the location of a smart device, to know if the occupant is away. When the thermostat senses the home is vacant, it will switch to an energy-saving mode, adjusting the temperature automatically to what the occupant has pre-set.

Another way Smart Thermostats assist with energy savings is by giving the occupants more control over the system. For example, Nest thermostats allow the temperature to be programmed and changed every 15 minutes, which gives the occupant the ability to set temperatures according to their daily schedule. United recommends raising or lowering the temperature by only one to two degrees at a time. Lowering the temperature several degrees at once in the summer will not cool the space any faster. Constantly raising or lowering the thermostat multiple degrees at a time can impact the run time or could even cause unwanted issues with the system.

Another advantage to owning a smart thermostat is the data it provides. Most smart thermostats offer reports displaying unit runtimes and energy consumption, send filter change reminders and send alerts regarding maintenance issues with the units. These options can lead to substantial savings for years to come.

The ability to control the thermostat through an application on a phone or computer device can be considered the most helpful feature. No more trips to the thermostat on the wall or having to go back to the house because the occupant forgot to set back the thermostat setting before leaving on a trip. These options give the occupant the power to run the system only when it needs to be used, helping to cut back on daily usage.

According to The Department of Energy (DOE), “adjusting a thermostat up one degree in the summer or down in the winter can help decrease the bill up to 5 percent. Occupants can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by turning a thermostat back seven to 10 degrees for eight hours a day from the normal setting.” Setting back the thermostats can be exercised while the space is vacant or while the occupants are sleeping. Smart thermostats have a multitude of benefits that can assist occupants in saving energy.

There are many brands of Smart thermostats available to choose from. They can be purchased online or in many box stores. Below are a few of the top thermostats and their options, but there are many other brands available, such as Amazon and Emerson Sensi. Most smart thermostats will work with 95 percent of all HVAC systems. Before purchasing a thermostat, it’s imperative to make sure the thermostat is compatible with the HVAC system it will be paired with. Also, some thermostats require a C wire to be able to connect to a system. It may be wise to consult with an HVAC professional to ensure that the system has a C wire or if the thermostat is compatible with a specific system.

Google Nest Thermostat  

• Programmable with auto-scheduling

• No C-wire required

• Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assist and Nest App

• Has sensors

• Has other models available

ecobee Smart Thermostat

• Programmable with Seven Day Scheduling

• No C-wire required

• Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assist, Apple Homekit,   

IFTTT and Samsung SmartThings

• Has sensors

• Has other models available

Honeywell Smart Thermostat  

• Programmable with seven-day scheduling

• C-wire is required

• Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assist, IFTTT and IOS

Android

• Has sensors

• Has other models available

United offers an incentive if a member purchases a Smart Thermostat. This year, United is offering a $50 rebate for each newly purchased Nest, ecobee or Honeywell Smart Thermostat. United offers a $25 rebate for any other brand of smart thermostat. To qualify for this rebate, the member must replace a non-Wi-Fi thermostat with a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat. A rebate application must be completed and sent to United, along with proof of purchase, within 60 days of purchase.

United welcomes the opportunity to assist members with preparation for severe weather before it hits. For any additional information on United’s other energy savings programs, please contact your local United office or visit www.ucs.net/my-home.