Until recently, I was getting by with a very old, manual thermostat.
The thermostat was installed long before I ever purchased my home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Over the years, I’ve made lots of improvements to the home. I’ve painted the walls and replaced everything from the windows to light fixtures. I’ve renovated the master bathroom and the kitchen, added a back deck and spent a great deal of time on landscaping. I’ve had the air conditioner and furnace professionally serviced every spring and fall. It never occurred to me to update the thermostat. The old one seemed to work just fine. It wasn’t until I complained to the HVAC contractor who handled the annual tune-ups about the high cost of my utility bills that he recommended investing into a smart thermostat. Considering the severe weather and wide temperature swings in Sioux Falls, the thermostat is an essential device. Making manual adjustments is inconvenient and often leads to energy waste. I frequently forgot to raise or lower temperature settings before heading to work in the morning. The air conditioner or furnace would then blast all day long, keeping an empty house perfectly comfortable. If I remembered to make the adjustment, I’d return home to an overheated or chilly living environment. The smart thermostat is far more modern-looking and allows me to access features from virtually anywhere via an app on my phone. Plus, the thermostat has learned my schedule and preferences and created a program. I rarely need to make any changes. It automatically works to conserve energy without sacrificing comfort. It sends alerts if there is a power outage and reminders to change air filters.