Most U.S. homes rely on a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system to keep indoor temperatures in check. And the thermostat traditionally has been tasked with controlling the HVAC system and balancing your indoor comfort. The evolution of technology has made smart thermostats the norm. These more intelligent controls are replacing standard programmable thermostats and offering homeowners additional benefits like home automation, remote access, system diagnostics and energy efficiency.
Not only does smart tech bring cool features to your home, it can help you save energy and money.
A Smart Thermostat Means Automation and Convenience
The intention of programmable thermostats was to “set it and forget it.” The problem was that most people never remembered to program them. Smart thermostats, like the Trane XL824B Connected Control, let you adjust the temperature from the couch, the grocery store or while on vacation – anywhere with your smartphone, tablet or computer, as long as the device’s internal smart hub is connected to a WiFi network. You can also pair it with a popular voice assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, for the added convenience of voice control.
This is what makes a smart thermostat so smart. When you enable the Trane XL824B thermostat’s Energy Savings feature, it will observe your behavior and learn when you come and go, as well as what temperatures you prefer at certain times of the day. Your system will then automatically adjust your settings to make sure your home is the perfect temperature when you get return.
An added bonus for upgrading to a Trane thermostat is that with the built-in Nexia Bridge, you can control more than 200 smart home devices, like lights, locks and your ceiling fan. You can also enhance the air quality inside your home by programming the humidifier, dehumidifier or fresh air ventilation system, which makes optimizing whole-home comfort both convenient and automatic.
How Do Smart Thermostats Save Money on Energy Costs?
Traditional programmable thermostats can help you save money on energy costs, but using a smart thermostat takes a lot less effort. Two-way communicating smart thermostats collect data, find usage patterns and share it with you 24/7 via the smartphone app. Their remote interfaces show how much energy you’re using and can even estimate your costs. Their remote interfaces show how much time your HVAC has been running for up to one week at a time. From there, you can make manual adjustments to your program or let your thermostat handle it.
The magic lies in the data. The more you know, the easier it is to tweak your temps and see how it affects your energy bill. Smart thermostats give you the information you need to make smart decisions to improve your energy-efficiency and savings. For example, the cloud-based learning software in the Trane XL8248B can help homeowners save an estimated 10-20 percent in heating and cooling costs.
Of course, if your HVAC system is older, you may want to consider an upgrade to an efficient and newer system like the Trane XV20i TruComfort™ Variable Speed. It’s considered one of the industry’s most trusted air conditioners for ultimate climate control and maximum efficiency. The integrated TruComfort technology automatically adjusts the temperature using its 750 levels of comfort to avoid temperature swings. It gives you precise comfort by running at the exact speed needed to keep your home comfortable. And more accurate energy rates can positively impact how much you save.
The Benefits of Real-Time Diagnostics
Your HVAC system is one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in your home. What if smart home technology also gave your trusted HVAC dealer the ability to diagnose a potential issue before major damage is done? Elevate your system with a Nexia-enabled Trane thermostat and share performance information for whole system health. With Nexia Diagnostics, your local HVAC technician can receive equipment performance data, proactively diagnose a possible issue and prevent a major system malfunction down the road. You can also activate automated alerts, which are sent directly to your dealer for immediate action, so problems are caught and repaired before they become emergencies. Even better, when the feature is enabled, you can give limited time permission to adjust and edit settings remotely – eliminating the need for anyone to be physically in front of the thermostat. Bid goodbye to waiting around at home for a service technician.
Smart Home Automation is Everyday Reality
Smart home automation has gone from space age dream to everyday reality. A recent study found that the global smart home market is expected to grow from $24 billion in 2016 to more than $53 billion by 2022. What used to be more of a niche investment is now widely available and relatively affordable—and therefore transforming millions of homes across the U.S.
For specific savings calculations and expert advice on how you can implement a new smart thermostat, HVAC system or Nexia Diagnostics into your home, contact your local Trane Residential HVAC specialist.
