As a custom homebuilder, I’m always eager to pass on money-saving tips and products to my clients. I recently discovered a Smart Thermostat that can save you up to 20 percent on your annual energy bill and it’s affordable. It’s called Nest Learning Thermostat, an intuitive system that learns your temperature preferences and thermostat habits and then tweaks them for energy savings. Based on your usage, Nest devises a schedule and programs itself to run your home’s heating and cooling more efficiently.
I’m installing Nest Learning Thermostats for a client who sees both their monetary and design value. The home is Mod-Mediterranean, a fusion of traditional and contemporary style, so the sleek design of Nest fits right in and looks great on the walls.
According to the manufacturer, 89 percent of programmable thermostats waste energy, costing homeowners an extra $173 a year. Why? Because many homeowners find thermostats difficult to program or they simply don’t bother. It’s a known fact that the thermostat can be the biggest energy hog in a home. Replacing old, inefficient ones with Smart Thermostats can add up to significant savings.
The Nest also encourages energy-saving habits with a “leaf” reward system. A leaf icon on the thermostat appears when the user does something that saves energy. The homeowner can earn a leaf by adjusting the temperature for energy savings throughout the day. The Nest also comes with a mobile app for remote control of the thermostat from a smart device. There’s also an “Auto-Away” mode that turns to an energy-savings temperature, when the homeowner is gone.
For homeowners, Nest offers an affordable, easy-to-install option for upgrading thermostat intelligence in the home. The Nest retails for $249 a unit and $199 for the first installation and $25 for each additional installation. For more design ideas and money-saving tips, subscribe to my blog and video series.
