With the holiday season in full swing, it may be the right time to put money back in your pocket with a new smart thermostat. They are a great way to keep warm during the winter without breaking the bank.
Southern California Edison recommends these tips to save money and energy with a smart thermostat, which can save you up to 8% on your energy bill on average each year, according to EnergyStar.gov.
Save money on your bill by using energy more efficiently — Using power only when needed helps significantly reduce your monthly energy bill. With programmable options, you can set your thermostat to be in use when you’re at home and idle while you’re away. You can even program your smart thermostat to begin pre-cooling or heating on your way home from work, avoiding the increase in energy costs that kick in during peak usage hours from 4-9 p.m.
Take advantage of technology rebates — You may be eligible for a rebate when you purchase a new smart thermostat, which you can shop for on the SCE Marketplace or take advantage of a new $75 rebate on new Energy Star-certified smart thermostats. You’ll also be eligible for a $30 rebate for each mercury thermostat you remove from your residence and recycle at a local collection site.
Earn bill credits through Demand Response Programs — When you enroll your smart thermostat in SCE’s Smart Energy Program, you can earn a $75 sign-up bonus and up to $40 in bill credits from June through September. The program allows your thermostat to be adjusted up to 4 degrees during a qualifying energy event, reducing stress on the grid during peak demand.
Access your HVAC system from anywhere — We’ve all forgotten to adjust our thermostats before leaving for a long weekend. With a smart thermostat, you can adjust your home’s temperature or even shut your system off entirely from the palm of your hand with a smartphone app.
Keep your system running longer — Working in tandem with your air-conditioning system, smart thermostats provide alerts to important maintenance issues. You can even set up notifications to tell you when to replace your air filters. This routine maintenance is vital to keeping your system running efficiently for as long as possible.
Now that you know the benefits smart thermostats offer, you can shop for the model that’s right for you on the SCE Marketplace. There, you’ll be able to view dozens of smart thermostats along with product reviews, available rebates and Enervee scores, which compare a device’s energy efficiency to other available products.
