Every day, there are more devices available that can connect to Wi-Fi for quick, convenient, remote, and even automatic use. Your home thermostat is now one of the devices with that option. As with all innovations, there are nebulous advantages and disadvantages to the functionality and security of internet-connected smart devices, yet the pros and cons of a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat are straightforward. Here are the facts so you can decide if a smart thermostat is the right fit for you.
A smart thermostat does the same job as the tried-and-true, old-school thermostat, it just works through an internet connection to adjust your climate control system via a smartphone, an application, or another smart hub you have in your home. It is the convenience of remote access that is the biggest, or at least the most apparent, advantage of a smart thermostat. The convenience makes them feel exceedingly easy to use. You’re likely going to feel more inclined to adjust your thermostat a couple degrees with your phone than to get up to adjust it manually. That said, if your Wi-Fi ever goes out, you can still adjust it manually, but you will only be able to adjust it manually until you can reconnect. However, as a smart thermostat can automatically detect the presence of bodies, it can build a schedule to make appropriate changes to your home climate throughout the day in ways that can add up to save you money on energy. The amount you can save varies due to the make and model of the thermostat as well as the average occupancy and schedule of your household, but a round number gleaned from user testimony and manufacturer advertising points to about 10%. So, in general, smart thermostats offer the convenience of remote access, which in turn encourages you to interact with it more regularly than an old-school one, and they can save you money on energy costs through automatic presence detection that allows it to make scheduled changes to your home’s climate control.
As there are advantages to smart technology, there are also disadvantages that come with it. As mentioned previously, the convenience of a smart thermostat rests heavily on your internet connection. If you experience an outage, you will only be able to make manual adjustments until you’re reconnected. Another potential drawback is that the unit you’re looking at could be more expensive upfront. On top of that, if you don’t have a reliable schedule coming and going from your house, the automatic presence detection might not work efficiently enough to devise an automatic climate control schedule that will net you significant savings on energy. Also, with the number of internet-connected smart devices ever-increasing, you run a greater cybersecurity risk. Some smart thermostats have been used as launching points for cyberattacks in the past, but regular software updates routinely patch holes in code that might otherwise enable security breaches. Plus, these incidents are extremely uncommon.
The pros of a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat ultimately override the cons, and if you’re even partially interested in trying one, you’ll be well served by the benefits. After all, it’s the little things, right? If you’re still uncertain whether or not a smart thermostat is a natural fit for your home, contact the experts at Kentucky Secured, and they can go over the options with you. Kentucky Secured provides smart thermostat and security monitoring in Lexington, Kentucky and surrounding areas.
About Kentucky Secured
Since 2014, Kentucky Secured has been providing those in Lexington (and the surrounding areas) various security solutions, including home alarm systems, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and various other devices. The partnership with ADT was fundamental in the company’s growth, allowing KY Secured to become the only owned and operated ADT authorized dealer in Lexington.
Before Justin Wiese founded KY Secured back in 2014, he previously worked for other authorized ADT dealers, learning the industry and preparing for his new venture in a few years to follow. Nonetheless, fast forward to the present day, and KY Secured is locally owned and operated, providing affordable, ADT authorized security solutions to those in Lexington and the broader Kentucky area. They install and set up equipment, provide an open line of communication with customers, and are constantly on the lookout for new security devices. If you have any more questions or are interested in other services, you can contact the KY Secured team.
