Optimize Heating And Cooling With Smart Automation Technology

ANOTHER great post by MOTO Mortgage!

Optimize Heating And Cooling With Smart Automation Technology

A smart home starts with a smart thermostat.

Home automation is convenient, cost-effective and, when it comes time for resale, many buyers will pay more for certain smart home technologies. We spoke with Dustin Morton, VP of Product and Strategy, Motto Franchising, LLC, and our resident smart automation expert, for his take on automating your heating and cooling systems. According to Dustin, not only will the technology save time and money, “you’ll enjoy figuring out all the if/thens and only whens!” Here’s how to get started with an automated thermostat:

Choose and Install a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi enabled device that automatically adjusts heating and cooling temperature settings in your home for optimal performance. Smart thermostats are particularly hot in the home automation world, due to ease of use, scope of control and some serious energy-saving capabilities. In fact, Dustin’s overall favorite home automation gadget just happens to be the Google Nest® thermostat. “There are flashier pieces of home tech, but the Nest is the most user-friendly device in my home. Plus, it quickly pays for itself through home energy costs savings, likely the only device on my network with such cred.” If you prefer Amazon over Google, another great option is the ecobee4® thermostat, complete with built-in Alexa® and similar scheduling features. If not warm to more advanced smart home technology just yet, your thermostat is an ideal place to start!

Set Smart Automation Zones

Modern homes are not one-temp-fits-all! Zoning capabilities allow you to set different temperatures in different rooms, at different times. For example, lower the heat in the kitchen until just before you’ll arrive to start the coffee, or cool your bedroom prior to bedtime. Get in the zone and reduce needless heating and cooling, as well as manual entry time. Pro tip: Continue customizing each zone with additional smart home technology. When Dustin gives his Google Home® system the “goodnight” command not only is his bedroom fan turned on, all lights, apart from the front porch and a few dimmed kitchen and bathroom bulbs, are turned off! Alternatives to Google Home include the Apple HomePod® and Amazon Echo®, but shop around for a system that works for you.

Configure Sensors

Motion detectors allow the system to adjust as someone walks in or out of a given room, and temperature sensors are constantly gauging various room temps and adjusting accordingly. The ecobee4 sensors measure both occupancy and temperature, automatically switching to comfort mode when you’re home and savings mode when you’re not. Nest has the added ability to sense and learn from you. For Dustin, simply coming home triggers temperatures he has configured as comfortable, along with “daytime-bright or warm-relaxing lights (based on the current day’s sunset time), any home-related notifications and reminders (such as ‘laundry finished)’ and an alert if the garage door is still open after 15 minutes.” Between energy savings, convenience and personalization, a smart home, and its sensors, just makes sense!

Explore Integration Options

To maximize efficiency, fully integrate your thermostat with other smart devices. Many smart thermostat providers offer apps, giving you more control over your home’s temperature directly from your smartphone. If you own or are looking to purchase other smart home devices, such as security cameras, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, locks, camera-enabled doorbells or home monitoring options, many will easily sync up with the thermostat for better control in one place. If you’re just getting started with home automation, though, Dustin highly recommends ensuring compatibility. “Do some research before you start purchasing electronics and once you’re locked into compatible brands, don’t be tempted to make exceptions.” Remember, convenience is the name of the game!

Automating your heating and cooling systems cuts back on time and money while increasing potential home sale appeal and convenience. It opens the door to countless home automation possibilities in lighting, door locks, security cameras, blinds and more – Dustin even receives upcoming weather, a reminder of the first appointment on tomorrow’s calendar and a “what time should I set the alarm?”! The home automation market is really heating up and, with a perfectly-programmed smart thermostat, you’ll be the coolest one on the block!