This Install a Smart Thermostat post is sponsored by MidAmerican Energy. As always, I only share things that make sense for our home and for all of you. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you’ve looked at something in your house and thought, I wonder if we could do it ourselves. I understand. We have tackled many projects in our house over the years. I always find that many tasks seem more intimidating before you start them. Nevertheless, they are not as daunting as they appear.
Installing a smart thermostat is one of those projects.
You don’t necessarily need to hire a contractor to make the switch, and once you have it installed, you have some convenient ways to control the temperature in your house. If you’ve been thinking about replacing your thermostat, here are a few things I would look at before you buy one.
Before You Install a Smart Thermostat
Before you install a smart thermostat, the first thing I would do before buying one is check that it will work with your heating and cooling system.
This is not the part of a project where you want to buy something first and figure out compatibility later. Different systems require different setups, so check the manufacturer’s information for the thermostat you are considering.
Once you know you have a compatible thermostat, the installation itself doesn’t have to be a huge project.
A smart thermostat is designed to be installed in your home, and you don’t automatically need to hire a contractor to do it. If you are comfortable with basic DIY projects, this may be something you can handle yourself.
And if you’re not someone who does a lot of electrical or home projects, there are plenty of resources available to walk you through the installation.
I always say that you should know your limits with DIY projects, though. If you’re comfortable following instructions and doing the work, go for it. If you’re staring at the wiring and thinking, “Nope,” there is no shame in getting some help.
What I Like About Having a Smart Thermostat
The installation is only part of the reason to make the switch.
The convenience of having a smart thermostat is what makes it worth considering.
One of the features I really like is being able to control it when I’m not home. You can use your phone to adjust the temperature from just about anywhere.
That is especially nice when your plans change.
If you expect to be away longer than you planned. Maybe you’re coming home earlier than planned. Maybe you are sitting at a restaurant and suddenly realize you never changed the thermostat before leaving the house.
Instead of having to wait until you get home, you can make the adjustment from your phone.
It is a small thing, but these are the little conveniences that make sense to me when we’re making updates around our house.
Set It and Let It Work
Another feature that you will enjoy after you install a smart thermostat is the ability to create schedules.
You can set the temperature around your normal routine instead of having the thermostat run the same way all day and night.
When the house is empty during the day, you can set a schedule around that. If your family is home more on the weekends, you can have a different schedule. If your routine changes, you can change the schedule.
And this is one of the things I think makes a smart thermostat different from just replacing your old thermostat with a newer one.
You can set it up around your life.
There’s no need to remember every time you leave the house to adjust the temperature. You can build those changes into your schedule and let the thermostat do some of the remembering for you.
A Little More Control Over Your Energy Use
I’m always looking for ways to make our housework better without taking on a major renovation.
This is one of those updates that can give you more control without changing anything else in your home.
Being able to adjust your thermostat when you’re away and create schedules around when you’re home can help you avoid heating and cooling an empty house unnecessarily.
That can help you save energy and money, too.
Of course, a thermostat isn’t going to magically make your energy bill disappear. But having more control over when your heating and cooling system is running can make it easier to be intentional about your energy use.
MidAmerican Energy has more information about smart thermostat benefits and how they can help with energy savings if you want to dig into that a little more.
Read more about smart thermostat benefits from MidAmerican Energy.
Where to Find a Smart Thermostat
If you’ve decided you want to install a smart thermostat, the next question is usually, “Okay, but which one?”
MidAmerican Energy sells discounted smart thermostats through its online marketplace, and there are several brands and models available.
You can find options from Google Nest, ecobee, Honeywell and Sensi, so you can look at the different choices and find one that works with your home’s system.
The offer is available to MidAmerican Energy customers in Iowa and Illinois, and you can save up to $100 on the purchase of a smart thermostat through the online marketplace.
MidAmerican Energy Black Friday Smart Thermostat Sale
There is also a Black Friday promotion happening this November.
From November 11 through December 1, smart thermostats will be available for as low as $9 through MidAmerican Energy’s online marketplace.
If you’ve already been thinking about replacing your thermostat, that makes this a pretty good time to at least take a look at what they have available.
The price and promotional dates may change, so make sure you check the marketplace for the current offer before purchasing.
Shop smart thermostats through MidAmerican Energy’s online marketplace.
Is Installing a Smart Thermostat a DIY Project?
If the thought of installing a smart thermostat has been sitting on your to-do list because you assumed it would be complicated, I would look into it before deciding that you need to hire someone.
You may be able to do it yourself, especially if you’re comfortable with basic projects around your house. And if you aren’t, there are installation resources available to help you through the process.
Just start with compatibility, read the instructions for the thermostat you choose and know when a project is better left to someone else.
For me, the best home updates are the ones that make our house work better without requiring a giant project. Replacing something we already have with something that gives us more control and convenience checks that box.
And if you’ve been thinking about making the switch, the November promotion through MidAmerican’s online marketplace might be a good reason to finally get it off your list.
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