Are Smart Thermostats Worth It?

Quick answer: Yes, smart thermostats are worth it for most homeowners because they reduce energy bills by 8–12%, offer remote control, and learn with automation. For users who want even more savings, the Vivint Smart Thermostat can save up to $300 annually* on energy costs.

What is a smart thermostat? A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that connects to your HVAC system and gives you remote temperature control, automated scheduling, and potential savings on heating and cooling bills.

Key benefits of smart thermostats

• Energy savings of 8–12% on heating and cooling costs
• Remote temperature control
• Ability to learn and adapt to your schedule
• Geofencing for automatic adjustments
• Smart assistant integration for voice control
• Compatibility with other smart home devices

In this article, we'll break down and discuss:

• What are smart thermostats, and how do they work?
• What kinds of features do smart thermostats have?
• What should you consider when deciding whether to purchase a smart thermostat?
• What are the best smart thermostat brands?

What is a smart thermostat?

A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that connects to your HVAC system and gives you remote temperature control, automated scheduling, and potential savings on heating and cooling bills.

With a smart thermostat, homeowners can adjust the temperature through the thermostat, smartphone app, or voice commands. They can also set up their thermostat settings with their preferences and schedule for the ultimate climate control and energy savings.

Each smart thermostat has a sensor to track a room’s temperature, humidity, light, and occupancy. Based on that data, it communicates with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to turn on the home’s heating system or air conditioning unit.

How does a smart thermostat work?

Smart thermostats have sensors that detect the home’s temperature, humidity, and occupancy.

Many smart thermostats also use artificial intelligence (AI) to learn your habits and preferences. After a few initial adjustments, your thermostat will learn what temperatures you like and when. After some time, you won’t need to make any adjustments—it will all happen automatically.

Finally, smart thermostats connect to a Wi-Fi network, which allows remote access. With this kind of remote control, you can adjust your home’s temperature from anywhere, just using your smartphone.

Thermostats: Smart vs programmable vs traditional

Smart thermostat benefits

Smart thermostats are energy efficient, can help you save money on your energy bills, and they offer convenience and comfort.

Energy efficiency and savings

Ever forget to turn off your air conditioner when you leave for work? Who hasn’t, right? And we’ve all received that really high electric bill because of it.

But this and other human errors don’t happen with a smart thermostat.

Smart, programmable thermostats are all about energy efficiency, preventing energy waste and high bills while creating a comfortable environment throughout your home.

As you establish a schedule and adjust your temperature settings, you can set your desired temperature and forget it. From then on, your thermostat will automatically control the heating and cooling system, so it’s only on when needed.

In addition, since your smart thermostat uses adaptive learning and automation, it optimizes your energy consumption in a way that regular thermostats can’t. According to ENERGY STAR, smart thermostats can save homeowners 8%–12% on heating and cooling costs, or $100–$200 per year depending on usage and climate.

Convenience and comfort

Smart thermostats make your life easier and more comfortable.

• Remote access. Smart thermostats come with a smartphone app where you can check on your home’s temperature and adjust it. Want to come home to a warm house on a cold winter evening? Just turn the temperature up before you leave work.
• Geofencing. This feature comes with many smart thermostats, adjusting your temperature based on location. Set it up to turn on the air conditioning within five miles of your home so you can walk into a cool house during the hot summer.
• Voice assistant integration. Most smart thermostats are compatible with smart speakers like Google Assistant or Apple Homekit. This means that if you already use one of these systems, you can use it right along with your smart thermostat.
• Compatibility with other smart devices. You can also set up your smart thermostat to work with your other smart gadgets. For example, you can set your thermostat to turn down the temperature when you turn on your smart TV or turn off your lights.

How to choose a smart thermostat

There’s a lot that goes into changing over to a smart thermostat. Here are factors you’ll need to consider as you decide whether or not to invest in this technology.

• Cost. Smart thermostats typically cost $100–$300+. Even so, there are programs that offer rebates and energy incentives. This can bring down the price and make it more affordable.
• Compatibility. Check whether the smart thermostat works with your existing heating and cooling system. You’ll need a Wi-Fi thermostat compatible with your current HVAC system and smart devices.
• Home size. If you have a large home, you will need a thermostat that can keep up. For instance, some thermostats can control multiple zones, which is great for a large home.
• Professional installation. Unless you’re very tech-savvy, DIY installation can be a nightmare. That’s why we always recommend professional installation—and with Vivint, professional installation is part of every purchase.

Are smart thermostats worth it?

Let’s break down some of the questions you can ask yourself to see whether this would be a smart purchase for your home.

• Do you pay a lot for your heating and electric bill? Depending on the size of your home and family, your energy costs may rise. Smart thermostats, while having an upfront cost, can reduce heating and cooling bills by 8–12% and save you a lot of money over time.
• Do you have the money? There is an upfront cost to a smart thermostat. If you have the money, great. If not, you may find programs in your area that offer a tax credit, rebate, or other incentives that would bring down the price.
• Do you already have a smart home? A smart thermostat could be a natural addition to your smart ecosystem. After all, you already have the smart infrastructure to support a smart thermostat.
• If not, does a smart home interest you? Smart devices have a way of making your life easier. Why not look into the benefits of having a smart home?

When we weigh the price, savings, convenience, and comfort that a smart thermostat brings to the home, we believe it’s worth the investment. After all, a smart thermostat is more than just a trend.

This technology is a real tool that can help you save money, reduce energy consumption, maintain a comfortable home, and make your life easier.

Vivint smart thermostat

The Vivint Wi-Fi thermostat can save up to $300 a year* on your heating a cooling costs. It is a learning thermostat that uses sensors throughout your home to constantly track your home’s temperature, humidity, proximity, and ambient light. It auto-adjusts your home’s indoor temperature according to your preferences and whether or not you're home.

The Vivint app lets you control your heating and air conditioning from anywhere . From the same app, you’ll also be able to monitor and control your other smart devices, like smart locks and smart lights. Vivint work with Google Home,to give you an even more convenient way to adjust your home temperature.

The Vivint smart thermostat also offers an extra layer of safety during fires. Working alongside Vivint smoke detectors, the smart thermostat will shut down your HVAC system when it detects a fire to slow the spread and help you get to safety.

Keep your home comfortable while conserving energy with Vivint

A smart thermostat is more than just a temperature adjuster. It works around the clock to maintain the comfort of your home and family—a valuable asset in any home!

Learn more about Vivint’s Smart Thermostat and save up to $300 a year*, how it works, and what it can do for you and your home. Give us a call at 855.822.1220 today.

The bottom line

Smart thermostats are a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. With energy savings of 8%–12% on heating and cooling costs ($100–$200 annual savings), plus remote control, intelligent automation, and smart home integration, the benefits often outweigh the initial $100–$300+ upfront cost. If you want to reduce energy bills and simplify temperature management, a smart thermostat may be for you.

Frequently asked smart thermostat questions

Learn answers to common smart thermostat questions here.

How much do smart thermostats cost?

Smart thermostats range in price from $100–$300+, depending on brand and features. Many utility companies offer rebates that can reduce the upfront cost, and energy savings over time help offset the cost as well.

Do smart thermostats work without Wi-Fi?

Yes, smart thermostats work without Wi-Fi. They can still control your HVAC system, but you'll lose remote access, app control, and some smart features until Wi-Fi connectivity is restored.

How much money can a smart thermostat save me?

According to ENERGY STAR, smart thermostats can save 8%–12% on heating and cooling costs. This translates to $100–$200 in savings per year. The Vivint Smart Thermostat exceeds ENERGY STAR standards and may save homeowners $300 annually*.

*Estimated savings only, not guaranteed. Actual savings vary. Learn more.