Tips and Tricks

Your guide to Smart Thermostats

Comfort at your fingertips & savings in your pocket

Did you know that heating and cooling are your home’s biggest annual energy costs? A smart thermostat uses motion and occupancy sensors to make automatic adjustments to maximize your energy efficiency. Whether you own or rent, a smart thermostat is a smart investment that can pay for itself in as little as one season.

In addition to the tips below, visit the Energy Hub for additional tips and tricks and explore energy saving resources for your home.

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Benefits of Smart Thermostats

Automated savings

Automatically adjusts to save energy when you’re away
Reduces energy costs by up to 15% per year

Convenient comfort control

Adapts itself for optimal comfort when you’re home
WiFi-enabled for remote control from your smartphone or tablet

User-friendly Design

Simple do-it-yourself installation, often in 30 minutes or less
Offers easy-to-use controls and programming

See your usage

Get real-time usage reports and savings tips
Provides automatic system alerts and service reminders

Smart support

Learns your daily routines and temperature preferences
Works with other smart home devices and systems

Eco-friendly

Helps reduce your home's carbon footprint
Most models are ENERGY STAR certified

How a smart thermostat helps you heat, cool and save

From sunrise to sunset and season to season, a smart thermostat automatically keeps your home comfortable while saving you energy and money.

Here’s how smart thermostats adapt temperatures during winter in a household with a typical 9-to-5 work schedule:

7 A.M

You wake up to a nice warm room.

9 A.M - 7 P.M

After leaving for work, it automatically turns the heating down.

6 P.M. – 11 P.M.

You come home to a warm home.

11 P.M.

It turns itself down while you sleep.

What to look for when shopping for a smart thermostat

With many options to choose from, finding the right thermostat for your lifestyle is easy with the following guide.

If you have a larger home

Look for a smart thermostat that comes with remote sensors to control the temperature in multiple rooms.

If you’re a design lover

Some smart thermostats come with a large, colourful display and a full touchscreen.

If you’re a frequent flier

Many smart thermostats come with mobile and web applications, giving you control and insight into your energy usage remotely and in real time.

If you’re building or buying a new home

If you’re taking possession of a newly built home, be sure to ask if a smart thermostat is a standard feature.

If you’re on a budget

Not every model has the ability to learn your habits and preferences. For a lower price point, look for one with fewer features.

If you want smart hub integration

Choose a smart thermostat that can link with your connected lightbulbs, speakers and other smart home products.

If you have a heat pump

Maximize your energy savings by pairing your heat pump with a compatible smart thermostat. It constantly monitors heat pump performance and helps minimize the use of auxiliary or backup heating mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a programmable thermostat and a smart thermostat?

Programmable thermostats require manual adjustments, while smart thermostats adjust automatically, based on occupancy, indoor/outdoor temperatures and user preferences.

Is a smart thermostat worth the money?

A smart thermostat can pay for itself in as little as one heating and cooling season, depending on the weather and your energy use habits.

Are smart thermostats compatible with all heating systems?

Most standard electric, natural gas, propane and oil furnaces will work with a smart thermostat (always check the manufacturer’s compatibility information before purchasing!). Newer heat pump systems may only be compatible with select models.

How much energy can I save?

If it costs an average of $150 per month to heat or cool your home with a manual thermostat and a natural gas furnace, a smart thermostat could save you up to $20 a month, or $240 per year – not to mention improving your home comfort and lowering your carbon footprint, too.

Tips and Tricks

Your guide to Smart Thermostats

Comfort at your fingertips & savings in your pocket

Benefits of Smart Thermostats

How a smart thermostat helps you heat, cool and save

7 A.M

9 A.M - 7 P.M

6 P.M. – 11 P.M.

11 P.M.

What to look for when shopping for a smart thermostat

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a programmable thermostat and a smart thermostat?

Is a smart thermostat worth the money?

Are smart thermostats compatible with all heating systems?

How much energy can I save?

Where to save next?

Appliances

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Phantom Power

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Hot Water Heating

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Insulation