A thermostat is a device that controls the temperature of a room or building by adjusting the heating or cooling system. Thermostats have evolved and now have increased capabilities, providing more opportunities for energy savings in homes and buildings.
Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi enabled and can automatically adjust heating and cooling temperature settings in a home or building for optimal performance. Smart thermostats have the potential for even greater energy savings than earlier thermostats by automatically adjusting a home or building’s temperature based on occupant schedule, location, and occupancy.
Smart thermostats are also increasingly being leveraged by utilities for demand response programs, voluntary programs whereby utilities can adjust a customer’s thermostat to raise or lower the temperature during times when the grid is experiencing high demand. Several Maryland utilities offer incentives for customers that enroll in smart thermostat demand response programs.
- Homeowners and renters can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning the thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.
- Location can affect a thermostat’s performance and efficiency. To operate properly, a thermostat must be on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights, and windows.
- Programmable thermostats are generally not recommended for heat pumps. In its cooling mode, a heat pump operates like an air conditioner, so turning up the thermostat (either manually or with a programmable thermostat) will save energy and money. But when a heat pump is in its heating mode, setting back its thermostat can cause the unit to operate inefficiently, thereby canceling out any savings achieved by lowering the temperature setting. Maintaining a moderate setting is the most cost-effective practice.
Several Maryland utilities offer incentives for smart thermostats.
