Maximizing the Best Smart Thermostats for Your Solar Powered Home

If you’re concerned about rising energy costs, you might have considered investing in solar panels alongside smart solar thermostats. Let’s explore the benefits of solar power thermostats and how they can work together with your solar panels to reduce your energy bills.

How do Smart Thermostats work?

Solar smart thermostats are popular devices that can save you money. These thermostats learn your preferences and adjust the temperature in your home based on your habits. For example, 

these smart thermostats analyze your home’s temperature preferences and adjust accordingly. 

Maybe you prefer your house to be cooler at night and warmer in the morning. Temperature changes will be as energy efficient as possible thanks to your thermostat. Furthermore, these thermostats enable you to keep a closer eye on your energy consumption. You can control your energy use if you do this along with keeping an eye on the energy output of your system. 

For homes that are already producing sustainable energy, this practical gadget just makes sense. It means you’ll use less energy when you’re not home, and you won’t have to worry about adjusting the thermostat manually.

In addition to their energy-saving features, smart thermostats can also be controlled remotely, so you can adjust the temperature in your home from your smartphone or tablet. This is convenient if you’re away from home and want to make sure your home is comfortable when you return.

What smart thermostat features should you look for?

1. With a smart thermostat, you can manage the heating in your house remotely using a mobile app or an internet connection.
2. Smart thermostats that can remember your preferences and use information gathered by their sensors to change HVAC settings automatically. Such a smart thermostat can modify the interior temperature of a house in accordance with the local climate.
3. Smart thermostats that can “learn” by stored data
4. Geofencing
5. Motion sensors

Compatibility with your HVAC system

You can use practically any type of thermostat if your HVAC system is low voltage. If you have a high-voltage system, you should study the manufacturer’s instructions or contact them to find out which one is best for your system.

Maximizing Your Best Thermostats for Solar Power

So, how can solar panels and solar smart thermostats work together to save you even more money? If you have solar panels, you might be able to use them to power your smart thermostat. This means you won’t have to rely on your home’s electricity to keep your thermostat running, which can save you even more money. You can also set your thermostat to use less energy when your solar panels aren’t generating electricity, which can help you save money on your energy bills.

How much can solar panel thermostats save you on your electric bill?

The Department of Energy believes that you can save as much as 10% on your heating and cooling expenses with most types of heating and cooling systems if you can bear to lower your thermostat by 7° to 10° F for 8 hours a day.

Do you really need a smart thermostat?

You do not really need a smart thermostat. However, if saving money is the ultimate goal with investing in solar panels then it might be something to consider. 

What Is The Most Efficient Way to Set a Smart Thermostat?

The US Department of Energy is one of the best resources for information about thermostat settings. According to their research, by simply lowering your thermostat by 7° to 10°F for eight hours a day, you can save your HVAC bills by as much as 10% yearly.

You Should Also Consider The Seasons

Summer

When you are at home, we advise setting the thermostat to 78 °F. Although it might make your home a little warmer than usual, this does help to significantly lower the cost of your energy bill.

You can save even more money in the summer by keeping your house even warmer when you’re gone for longer than two hours. To help you save up to 10% on cooling expenditures, set your thermostat to 85–88 °F throughout the summer while you’re away from home.

Winter

You should feel comfortable with a winter thermostat setting of 68 °F during the cooler months (a sweater and warm socks could be beneficial as well). You can cut your heating expense by 5-15% by decreasing your thermostat by 10-15 °F for eight hours, saving about 1% for each degree.

Spring and Autumn

Set your thermostat to 78 °F during the day if it’s going to be warmer. If you plan to leave the house, set it at 86 °F. Set your thermostat to 68 °F when you are at home and awake during chilly months. When you go to bed, lower it to 65 °F. Lower it even more to 60 °F if you’re going out of the house.

Here are some great Smart Thermostats to consider:

Smart thermostats that work well with solar panels are available from various manufacturers. Designed for solar power systems, these devices are designed to increase energy efficiency and optimize solar energy advantages. There are numerous smart thermostats that come with solar compatibility, and we highlight a few below:

• Nest Learning Thermostat: The Nest Learning Thermostat is an intelligent device that can interface seamlessly with solar panels, rendering it a popular choice. This thermostat operates by adapting to and optimizing your home’s heating and cooling preferences based on your schedule. Moreover, the Energy History feature provides valuable insights into energy usage, illuminating the impact of your solar panels.

• Ecobee SmartThermostat: The Ecobee SmartThermostat is a smart thermostat with high ratings that is fully solar compatible. Its advanced features include room sensors that enable better temperature control in various parts of your home. It also integrates with solar panels to provide information about your energy use and generation, empowering you to make informed energy management choices.

• Sense Energy Monitor: The Sense Energy Monitor is not a conventional thermostat. It augments your existing thermostat by furnishing up-to-the-minute details about your power usage. It detects how much energy your solar panel produces and how much energy your house consumes. It further identifies specific devices contributing to power usage. This data enables you to adapt and enhance your solar panel usage to reduce wastage.

• Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat: The Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat comes with geofencing and remote access capabilities, works seamlessly with solar panels, and offers support for controlling temperature in separate areas through room sensors. It furnishes valuable insights and reports about energy usage, ensuring efficient management.

The Wiring Of Your Home

Proper wiring of your home plays a crucial role in maximizing energy efficiency and ultimately saving you money on your electricity bill. By ensuring that the electrical wiring is correctly installed, maintained, and optimized, you can minimize energy losses and improve the overall efficiency of your electrical system. 

Well-designed wiring reduces resistance, which prevents unnecessary heat generation and power wastage. This means that the electricity consumed reaches its intended destination without significant losses along the way. 

Additionally, proper wiring helps to avoid power surges and voltage fluctuations, which can damage appliances and result in higher energy consumption. By investing in professional wiring services and adhering to electrical codes and standards, you can enhance the efficiency and safety of your home’s electrical system, leading to reduced energy waste and ultimately lowering your electricity bill.