Can a Smart Thermostat Save You Money? Yes—Right Now

Yes—smart thermostat energy savings can add up fast. With the Vivint Smart Thermostat, you can save up to $300 a year* in energy costs—four times more than a programmable thermostat.

Key takeaways

• The Vivint Smart Thermostat can save you up to $300 a year* in energy costs
• Other smart thermostats save the average homeowner $50–$200 per year on heating and cooling
• A smart thermostat typically pays for itself within 1–4 years, depending on purchase price and annual savings
• Even if you work from home, a smart thermostat still delivers substantial savings

What is a smart thermostat?

A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that connects with your heating and cooling system to automatically optimize temperature settings based on your habits, preferences, and occupancy.

A smart thermostat combines features from programmable thermostats, energy-efficient thermostat setups, and intelligent automation.

Compared to traditional models, smart thermostats will save you more money than manual thermostats, which require you to do it all. If you want the thermostat to run at a lower temperature while you’re asleep, you’ll have to remember to turn the temperature settings down before you go to bed. Otherwise, the heating system will continue to kick on throughout the night.

Programmable thermostats are slightly better in that once you program them, you can put your thermostat completely out of your mind. However, you’ll need to remember to actually program it. Consumer Reports found that as many as 70% of programmable thermostat users don’t actually use the programming feature at all. Programmable thermostats also don’t take into account anything that may come up during the day that changes your routine; for example, if you end up working late, you can’t change the settings remotely to cut down on your energy usage while you’re away.

How much money do different thermostats save?

According to Energy Star, smart thermostats reduce annual heating and cooling energy costs by about 8%, which translates to roughly $50 per year for the average household. Energy Star-approved units typically yield 10-12% savings on heating and 15% on cooling, which can push annual savings to $100-$200 depending on your local energy costs and system type.

Based on average purchase prices of $150-$250 and annual savings of $50-$200, a smart thermostat typically pays for itself within 1-4 years. A Vivint Smart Thermostat—which exceeds Energy Star Savings and can save you up to $300 per year*—can pay for itself even faster

How do smart thermostats boost energy efficiency?

Heating and air conditioning are the main culprits of high utility bills. Smart thermostats reduce energy usage by optimizing when heating or cooling runs, without sacrificing comfort.

Energy Star-approved units typically yield 10-12% savings on heating and 15% on cooling. That could translate to $100-$200 in annual savings, depending on your local energy costs and system type (e.g., heat pumps, central air conditioners). With the Vivint Smart Thermostat, you can save up to $300 a year*.

How do smart thermostats drive cost savings?

The average electric bill in the United States is $138 each month, with the average gas bill adding another $85 to that—an amount that adds up to over $3,000 each year. Smart thermostats can help chip away at these costs. Here’s how:

• Save energy automatically through learning algorithms that track your preferred temperature setting. For example, maybe you like the temperature around 72 degrees during the day, but 65 degrees at night while you sleep. Your thermostat will memorize these settings.
• Reduce waste when you leave through geofencing and occupancy detection. Vivint’s system includes geofencing. When you arm your smart home to “Away,” the thermostat lowers or raises temperatures automatically to save energy.
• Control your home from anywhere with remote Wi‑Fi control. Manage the system via the Vivint app or voice commands to Google Assistant.
• Offset initial costs through demand response and utility rebates. Some customers benefit from utility rebates, demand response programs, or custom energy-saving incentives.
• Lower your long-term energy costs through HVAC operation that minimizes stress on your heat pumps, air conditioners, and heating systems.

Are smart thermostats worth it if you’re home often?

Do smart thermostats save money if you work from home? Yes, smart thermostats still make small, continuous adjustments throughout the day, adding up to substantial annual savings. This is true even for homeowners who work from home or are inside most of the day.

Why choose the Vivint Smart Thermostat?

The Vivint Smart Thermostat can help you save up to $300 a year* in energy costs. It exceeds Energy Star standards and seamlessly integrates with your security system, it automatically adjusts settings when you arm to “Away,” cutting energy waste without lifting a finger, as well as offering you these great features:

• Adjusts settings in sync with your security system—arming to “Away” triggers smart energy-saving automation.
• Learns and optimizes over time for ideal comfort and efficiency.
• Connects seamlessly through Wi‑Fi connectivity, the Vivint app, and voice assistants.
• Available with professional installation and setup from certified technicians. See details: Vivint Installation Services.

Final take: Energy-efficient living starts with Vivint

Smart thermostats are more than gadgets—they’re central to energy-saving automation for your home. By combining geofencing, learning algorithms, and Wi‑Fi thermostat capabilities, the Vivint thermostat delivers comfort, convenience, and up to $300 in annual savings.

Ready to start? Book your professional installation or give us a call at 855.822.1220 today.

Frequently asked smart thermostat questions

Adding a smart thermostat to your home is an easy way to save on your energy bill. Learn more here.

How much money can a smart thermostat save annually?

The Vivint Smart Thermostat has been independently verified to save up to $300 per year* on energy costs. According to Energy Star, other smart thermostats cut annual heating and cooling energy costs by about 8%, or roughly $50 per year, with potential savings of $100-$200 depending on your local energy costs and system type. 

What is a smart thermostat?

A smart thermostat learns your temperature preferences, connects via Wi-Fi for remote control through the Vivint app or voice assistants, and automatically adjusts settings to optimize your HVAC system's efficiency.

How does the Vivint Smart Thermostat save energy?

The Vivint Smart Thermostat exceeds Energy Star standards and can save users up to $300 per year*. It uses learning algorithms to track your preferred temperature settings, geofencing to adjust when you're away, and integrates with your security system to automatically lower or raise temperatures when you arm to "Away."

How long does it take for a smart thermostat to pay for itself?

With incentives and the savings built into their algorithms, a smart thermostat typically pays for itself in 1–4 years.

Can I save money with a smart thermostat if I'm home most of the day?
Yes, even homeowners who work from home or stay in most of the day can benefit from a smart thermostat. Thanks to small, continuous adjustments—like lowering temperatures while you're cooking or out for errands—it can still lead to substantial annual savings.

How does the Vivint Smart Thermostat integrate with my security system?

The Vivint Smart Thermostat seamlessly integrates with your security system and by automatically adjusting settings when you arm to "Away," cutting energy waste without any manual effort. You can set up other custom actions and control everything through the Vivint app.

Can I control my smart thermostat remotely?

Yes, you can manage the Vivint Smart Thermostat remotely via the Vivint app or voice commands to Google Assistant from anywhere.

What makes smart thermostats better than programmable thermostats?

Unlike programmable thermostats that require manual programming and can't adjust to schedule changes, smart thermostats learn your preferences, allow remote control, and automatically adapt when your routine changes during the day.

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