Smart Thermostats 101

By: Smart Zero Home
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With Google’s Nest, smart thermostats have gone mainstream, at least in the public consciousness. Today, a smart thermostat allows home residents to program multiple occupancy schedules, such as a weekend and weekday schedule for different seasons. A smarter thermostat such as the Nest can even self-learn and continue to refine and build upon the occupancy schedules of the residents.

Smart thermostat can control the HVAC operations based on outside weather and occupant schedules

A smart thermostat is connected to HVAC system (AC and furnace) and can work towards maximizing their efficiency and ensuring cost-effectiveness. Thus a smart thermostat would adjust the AC and furnace to function when needed, in spaces that they are needed in, automatically adjusting temperature set points to ensure energy efficiency and comfort. If the resident is signed up for the utility’s time based rate structure, the smart thermostat can also ensure maximum usage of connected devices and appliances (including HVAC) during off-peak hours.

We (SmartZeroHome.com) can foresee the evolution of the smart thermostats into the advanced home energy management system and connected home platform itself that would enable the wide-scale adoption of Smart Home connected devices and technologies, and the Smart Home itself.

Also see our post on Connected Home 101 and our pick of the best smart thermostats in the market.