How much energy do smart thermostats save
Ava Hudson
Updated on April 05, 2026
According to data from two independent studies of actual Nest customers, smart thermostats can, on average, save customers between 10-12 percent on heating and 15 percent on cooling. Based on typical energy costs, Nest estimates that the average customer can expect to save roughly $140 per year on energy bills.
Do smart thermostats save energy?
Smart thermostats aren’t just good for the environment—they can also be great for your electric bill. Installing a quality smart thermostat can take your energy savings to a new level. In fact, smart thermostats like the ecobee smart thermostat can reduce energy bills by up to 23%.
Do programmable thermostats really save money?
The quick answer to whether programmable thermostats save energy is yes. … A good ratio to remember is that for every 1°F you turn down your thermostat, you’ll use 1% less energy. ENERGY STAR estimates that homeowners properly using programmable thermostats can save about $180 a year.
How much energy do thermostats save?
Here’s how the savings adds up. If you set your thermostat 1 or 2 degrees higher or lower than your usual number, you’ll see a 1 to 3 percent savings in your energy bill. Take it to the next level by setting it back 10 to 15 degrees for the 8 hours you’re at work and your savings jumps to nearly 10 percent.Do smart thermostats really help?
If used properly, a smart thermostat can provide significant savings. 50% of your energy bill consists of heating and cooling costs, so having a top-flight device that can learn from your habits and show you how to save money is worth the upfront financial investment.
Does ecobee really save money?
ecobee customers in North America saved up to 26% on their heating and cooling costs, based on an internal analysis conducted in April, 2021. How are energy savings calculated? ecobee calculates energy savings by correlating how long your heating and cooling equipment run to local weather conditions.
Is it cheaper to leave heat on all day?
Simply lowering your heat 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day could save you anywhere from 5 to 15 percent of your energy costs each year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, or about 1 percent for each degree you turn back the thermostat.
How do I set my thermostat to save money?
You can save energy and keep your costs in check by keeping your thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime. Energy.gov reports that turning your thermostat lower by 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours per day will help you see an energy usage reduction of 5 to 15 percent per year on your bill.Is it cheaper to leave your thermostat at one temperature?
But as it turns out, the only real pro to keeping your thermostat one temperature is convenience. Sure, when you’re away on vacation or gone for the weekend, the consistent temperature is efficient, but when you’re at home, there’s really no additional benefits.
How long do smart thermostats last?The average smart thermostat today seems to last about 10 years. But from my point of view, the Nest Thermostat is very well built and also designed with better long-lasting materials than most other smart thermostats on the market. But there still might be issues that cause your Nest Thermostat to break.
Article first time published onAre smart thermostats worth the cost?
There are a couple of ways a smart thermostat can help save money on your energy bill. First, programming your thermostat correctly can save you almost $200 a year alone. Analysis conducted by ecobee on their customers’ data found that some smart thermostat users saved up to 23% on their heating and cooling costs.
Do you save money turning down the thermostat at night?
Does Setting Your Thermostat Save You Money? It’s true: You can save money on your heating and cooling bills by simply resetting your thermostat at night and when you are away from home.
Does lowering your thermostat at night save money?
Says the U.S. Department of Energy on energy.gov, “You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68 degrees while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home.” Figure you save up to 1 percent per year on your heating bill for each degree you set back the thermostat …
What are the pros and cons of smart thermostats?
- Pro: Smart thermostats save you money. …
- Pro: Smart thermostats are easy to use. …
- Pro: Set it and forget it. …
- Con: Installation can be a hassle. …
- Con: Benefits depend on occupancy. …
- Con: Can be expensive. …
- Con: There are potential security concerns.
Do smart radiator valves save money?
In general, yes. A smart radiator valve can save you money because it allows you to control your house’s temperature room-by-room. … A smart valve can instead allow you to have fine-grained control of each room’s heating setup, potentially saving you much more money than with a smart thermostat.
What percentage of homes have a smart thermostat?
In terms of the latest smart thermostat technologies, only one in eight U.S. homes—approximately 12 percent of the roughly 118 million households in the country—owns and actively uses a next-generation smart thermostat like a Nest or an Ecobee.
What is the cheapest way to heat a house?
- Buy an energy-efficient space heater.
- Buy a smart thermostat.
- Use credit cards to pay your utility bills.
- Sign up for budget billing.
- Insulate your attic.
- Invest in warm clothing.
- Consider installing solar panels.
- Summary.
Does it use more electricity to turn heat on and off?
ANSWER: Turning your heat on and off is not cost effective, since your system will have to work extra hard for extra long to get the temperature back up.
What is the most efficient way to run your furnace?
- Unblock air vents and registers.
- Change furnace filters.
- Program thermostat for winter; upgrade if necessary.
- Schedule furnace or heat pump maintenance.
- Remove airflow obstructions from furnace or condenser.
- Use sun during the day; thermal curtains at night.
How much energy does ecobee save?
In addition to saving energy when you’re away, ecobee smart thermostats lower your energy usage when you’re home by operating your system more efficiently. Compared to homes with older thermostats, ecobee customers save up to 23%* on heating and cooling costs.
What is the most efficient thermostat?
- Best overall: Google Nest Thermostat E.
- Best non-programmable: Honeywell Digital Non-Programmable Thermostat.
- Best with Alexa: Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control.
- Best smart thermostat on a budget: Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat.
Is ecobee an energy Star?
ecobee Honored by EPA and U.S. Department of Energy as 2021 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year.
Is 70 too high for thermostat?
It’s best to not set your thermostat lower than 70 to 72 degrees. Most units are not designed to cool a house below that point, and you risk the system freezing up. I recommend trying to keep your house below 80 degrees at all times during the summer.
What is the most economical way to run your central heating?
The Energy Saving Trust says electric heaters are one of the most expensive forms of heating. It says the cheapest way to heat your home is by using an efficient gas central heating system, with a full set of thermostatic radiator valves, a room thermostat and a timer.
Does it take more energy to cool or maintain?
The reason being that it takes more energy to heat a cold house or cool down a hot house than it takes to maintain a steady temperature. … The reasoning here is that the energy saved during those off-times will make up whatever extra costs are incurred by heating a cold house or cooling a hot one.
Is 72 too high for thermostat in winter?
68 to 72 degrees is a temperature range that is not too warm or cool, and is sufficient enough to warm up the home just enough so that everyone is comfortable regardless of the type of clothing they have on.
What is the cheapest temperature to keep house in summer?
To stay comfortable and save money this summer, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78F (26C) when you are home. Setting your air conditioner to this level will allow you to stay cool and avoid an unusually high electricity bill.
Is 78 too hot for a house?
Any time you’re awake and at home during the summer, the ideal thermostat temperature is 78 degrees. This home temperature for energy efficiency lowers your cooling bills by 12 percent compared to keeping it at 74 degrees. If you’re afraid 78 degrees is too warm, remember to dress for the season.
Why smart thermostats are bad?
If you don’t run your system often enough, then your smart thermostat itself will briefly power on the HVAC to suck up some power for a short while. However, this same method may not work properly on your particular system and could result in a short circuit or possibly damage components over the long term.
How often do thermostats need to be replaced?
Thermostat Is Too Old As with all other systems, your thermostat will eventually become old and outdated. The lifespan of most home thermostats is 10 years. However, you may need to replace yours sooner as newer, more efficient thermostats enter the market.
Can home thermostats go bad?
If you’re wondering whether your thermostat can go bad, rest assured that it won’t happen for a while. Thermostats don’t typically have a set lifespan for maintenance, repair, or replacement (unlike air conditioners that need a tune-up every year).