Lower Your Home Heating Costs In Illinois With A Smart Thermostat

It may seem like winter is still weeks away in Illinois, but those cold and snowy days are coming fast. It’s time to turn up the heat and get cozy.

But with rising fuel costs, energy efficiency is a top concern for many homeowners. One of the ways to control energy costs is by upgrading and installing a smart thermostat. But just what is a smart thermostat?

Replacing the traditional home thermostat that you control manually, a smart thermostat allows for programmable temperature control both when you’re at home or remotely. Another feature of this smart device is that it learns from your preferences and behaviors and automatically adjusts the temperature accordingly.

The biggest benefit of smart thermostats is helping to reduce your energy bill and put money back into your pocket. Every degree you lower the temperature in your home translates into energy savings of two percent annually — an average of $180 per year for most homeowners. With these significant savings it makes sense to install a smart thermostat in your home.

Here are our top-rated smart thermostats:

1. Nest Learning Thermostat, $249

The top-selling market leader, Nest is one of the easiest thermostats to allow you to control temperature. It can also integrate with other smart devices for even more energy efficiency, such as turning off lights when no one is home.

2. Ecobee4, $249

Ideal for larger homes, the Ecobee4 includes room sensors to manage cold or hot areas in your home. It will sense if someone is in a room and adjust the temperature for comfort. With built-in voice control, you can also use this smart device as a digital assistant, having Amazon’s Alexa perform tasks such as setting timers or playing music.

3. Honeywell Lyric T5, $150

For the homeowner on a budget, the affordable Honeywell Lyric lets you use an app to remotely control the temperature in your home. Conserve energy during the day when no one is home with lower thermostat temperatures, remotely turning up the heat before you arrive home on a cold winter day.

Ready to save money this winter on energy costs? Contact a HomeAdvisor heating contractor in Illinois for help in installing your smart thermostat.

This Patch article is sponsored by Home Advisor.