Smart Thermostat FAQs: Everything You Need to Know
Learn what smart thermostats are, how they work, and how they can save you money on your heating and cooling bills.
By Anne Fonda
A smart thermostat can do a whole lot more than control your home’s temperature. In this article, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about smart thermostats.
Ready? Let’s get started.
#1: What is a smart thermostat?
First, the basics. A smart thermostat is a programmable thermostat connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network. That’s why it’s sometimes referred to as a Wi-Fi thermostat. You can control a smart thermostat remotely from a smartphone app, your tablet, or your laptop. For Trane smart thermostats, you would use the Trane Home App.
In addition to controlling your heating and air system, some smart thermostats can also connect to a whole-home humidifier/dehumidifier, whole-home air cleaner, and other HVAC accessories. They can also remind you when it’s time to replace your air filter.
#2: How do smart thermostats work?
Smart thermostats work like a programmable thermostat – you program in your desired temperature for different times of day and days of the week, optimizing for energy savings. They have built-in sensors to know when to alert your HVAC system to start heating or cooling.
By enabling geofencing, smart thermostats can automatically adjust the temperature while you’re away, even if you didn’t program that into the schedule.
Some smart thermostats may configure settings automatically based on your habits and occupancy patterns. In addition, smart thermostats are compatible with smart home voice assistants such as Alexa® and Google Assistant®. So, not only can you control the system with an app, but you can also give voice commands to turn up the heat or start the air conditioning.
#3: Do smart thermostats save money?
They can, if you take full advantage of the features. If you live in an area with temperature extremes, you may be able to save more on your utility bills than someone in a more moderate climate.
Your savings will be most noticeable if you’re switching from a manual thermostat where you frequently forget to raise or lower the temperature when you’re away. The smart thermostat can do that for you.
Learn more about how smart thermostats save money.
#4: How does a smart thermostat save energy?
By raising or lowering the temperature when you’re away or asleep, the smart thermostat helps reduce your energy consumption. Some smart thermostats also track your energy usage, allowing you to see temperature and equipment data that you can manage for further energy savings.
Smart thermostats will help you save even more on your energy bills if you install one as part of a new energy-efficient HVAC system.
#5: How much does a smart thermostat cost?
This depends on the smart thermostat you choose. The more advanced features the thermostat has, the higher the cost will be. Prices range from around $130 to $700. You may be eligible for a utility rebate or a manufacturer’s rebate, depending on the unit.
#6: Are smart thermostats worth it?
This is a personal decision. If you like the idea of saving energy, saving money, and being able to control your HVAC system from the palm of your hand, then the answer is yes. You will need to decide if investing in your comfort and convenience is worth the extra money to purchase a smart thermostat over a traditional thermostat.
#7: What smart thermostat works with my system?
You’re smart to be asking, because not every smart thermostat works with every HVAC system. For example, a variable speed system is not compatible with two-stage 24V smart thermostats. HVAC zoning systems need central controls and at least one thermostat. In addition, not all smart thermostats are compatible with a heat pump system.
Our best advice – consult with your HVAC company for recommendations.
#8: Can you replace any thermostat with a smart thermostat?
Yes, as long as you find a smart thermostat that’s compatible with your system. For instance, even a single-stage HVAC system is compatible with the Trane XL824. So you could upgrade from a non-programmable thermostat to the XL824 and stop changing the temperature manually at the thermostat and start saving money.
#9: Who installs smart thermostats?
Depending on the thermostat and if you’re upgrading the HVAC system at the same time, installation can be done by:
- You, if you’re handy
- An electrician
- Your HVAC technician
#10: Do I need an electrician to install a smart thermostat?
That depends on the smart thermostat you buy, your wiring, and your technical skills. We recommend a Trane dealer install a Trane smart thermostat to help ensure accurate installation and make you eligible for the longer warranty.
If you opt for a non-Trane smart thermostat where new wiring needs to be pulled (thermostat C wire), yes, you should hire an electrician. This will ensure the smart thermostat is installed safely and everything is up to code.
#11: How do you install a smart thermostat?
If you opt to install a smart thermostat yourself, follow the installation directions that came with the unit. Hopefully, you did your research to ensure that the thermostat you bought is compatible with your HVAC system and the wiring you have in place.
If you choose a Trane smart thermostat, your dealer will install it for you, test it, and give you some tips on customizing it for your comfort level with a set schedule.
#12: What are the negatives of a smart thermostat?
While we think they’re worth it, there are a few downsides to smart thermostats.
- More expensive than a programmable thermostat.
- Not every smart thermostat will be compatible with every system.
- You’ll have to learn how to use their features to get the most out of them.
#13: What happens if Wi-Fi goes out with a smart thermostat?
Don’t panic if you lose your internet connection. Much like you can work offline on your laptop or watch downloaded Netflix shows, your Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat will continue to work, telling your HVAC system what to do and when. You simply won’t be able to control it remotely via the app until Wi-Fi is restored.
#14: What is the best smart thermostat?
We’re biased, but we think Trane smart thermostats stand above the rest. We’re not the only ones who think so. Trane was recently named a 5-star Thermostat Brand in the Lifestory Research America’s Most Trusted® Study for the fifth consecutive year. With a Net Trust Quotient score of 110.6, Trane smart thermostats rank well above the big-name retail thermostats you can buy online or in a big box store. Our smart thermostats have all of the features of other thermostats, but they have more than just the standard features.
Trane Diagnostics
A big difference between Trane smart thermostats and other brands is that your Trane dealer can remotely monitor your HVAC system if you give them access to Trane Diagnostics through the Trane Home App. Once you activate the feature, your Trane dealer can see what’s going on with your system at any given time.
They’ll receive notifications when it’s time for regular HVAC maintenance or if there’s a system malfunction. They’ll notify you of any issues, and may ask you to grant them dealer remote access (DRA) so they can get fully inside the system and diagnose the issue.
If they can fix the problem remotely, they will. If your company has an off-site IT department, you may have done something similar to resolve an issue on your work computer.
If they need to schedule an on-site visit, the HVAC technician will arrive with the proper parts and the information gleaned from the remote diagnostics. This makes for a shorter service call, saving both you and the dealer time and money.
Trane Home Support
Trane Home Support is available to help you troubleshoot an issue with knowledge base articles. If you need to speak to a person, you can email, fill out a web form, or call. But it is recommended that you email or fill out the web form first to avoid waiting on hold.
We also have some thermostat troubleshooting tips that may help.
Better warranties
While most smart thermostats come with a 1-3 year warranty, Trane smart thermostats come with a 10-year warranty (5 for the XR724) if it’s installed by a Trane dealer and you or your dealer registers it within 60 days of installation.
The base limited warranty is 5 years (1 for the XR724). This is good if the thermostat was installed by someone other than a Trane dealer or you neglected to register the warranty.
Work with trusted HVAC professionals
Whether you’re in the market for HVAC replacement or just need to upgrade your thermostat, your local Trane dealer has a solution that will work for you. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Michael Morey, Product Management Leader, Hardware at Trane Technologies
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