These days, a lot of people are switching over to smart or programmable thermostats in order to save time and money, as well as keep the house more comfortable. While the programmable thermostat savings are real, there are also a few potential smart thermostat problems to look out for. Ultimately, many of these smart thermostat problems are possible to overcome or avoid, but it is a matter of knowing the problems before you buy and determining if the benefits are worth the potential issues. You can evaluate this trade-off on your own, but your heating & air conditioning team can also help and will be able to keep you up to date on potential smart thermostat problems and how to avoid them.
Upgrades, Models, and Interfaces
Many of the potential smart thermostat problems you might run into have to do with the user interface side of things. Since smartphones update so often, this can lead to a few smart thermostat problems if the updates cause disconnections or other issues. Also, while you likely won’t have to deal with the thermostat reading wrong temperature as is the case with some traditional thermostats, many smart displays only show the target temperature, which can make it harder to assess whether everything is working correctly — or, to set your smart thermostat to the right setting from afar.
One of the other smart thermostat problems that tend to crop up is that some of the learning models have flawed predictive models. These models make a few assumptions about how, where, and when you use your AC, so if your home is not similar enough to what the model expects, you might run into smart thermostat problems.
Other Smart Thermostat Problems
Connectivity is the other biggest area of potential for issues. Some do not notify the user when there is a connectivity issue, which can mean your AC is running at full steam while you are out, or — alternatively — that it turns off when pets are home alone without you realizing. These smart thermostat problems are among the worst because that is precisely the kind of situation this technology was designed to avoid. The whole idea is that you can be away and still manage your HVAC system via smartphone, but smart thermostat problems can definitely get in the way. In fact, some need direct maintenance when there is a big connectivity issue, and if you are away, that can be difficult to do.
Thankfully, many of these smart thermostat problems are improved on as the technology advances. With the right models and reliable connectivity, a smart HVAC system can work well — in spite of the potential smart thermostat problems. Plus, your HVAC service team can help you determine which models are less likely to run into major problems like these.
Make the Switch to a Smart Thermostat
If you are thinking about switching over to a smart thermostat, make sure at talk to your heating & air conditioning service team and find out which work the best and are the least likely to cause issues. In the greater St. Louis area, call our experts at Galmiche & Sons today.
