The US Energy Information Administration reports that more than half of a typical US household’s energy consumption is used for space heating and air conditioning. Of course, that can vary based on your location (the Northeast and Midwest use more on average), the type of dwelling (apartments consume less), and the number of people in your household. If you’re in one of the areas where electricity costs are higher, a smart thermostat can optimize your home’s heating and cooling to balance comfort with energy savings.
Our pick, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, is the most efficient smart thermostat we’ve tested. It has plenty of settings that allow you to fine-tune your environment. The included remote temperature-and-presence sensor allows you to control conditions around your home. And it can be set so you don’t have to adjust the temperature when you leave or arrive home, and you aren’t needlessly blasting the AC or heat all day. It also turns the system back on before you get home, so in the summer you won’t arrive to an oven (and regret being energy-conscious). If you don’t have central air, a smart air conditioner or a standard window unit with a smart plug can give you additional control, so you’re not wasting cool air when no one is home to appreciate it.
A smart ceiling fan can be another great option. I find my bedroom fan to be an absolute must for summer (and some winter) sleeping. According to the US Department of Energy, if you use a ceiling fan, you can raise the thermostat setting in summer months about 4 degrees Fahrenheit before you’ll even perceive a difference in comfort. Smart fans, like those from Big Ass Fans and Hunter, also include presence sensors, so they run only when someone is in the room. They can also be integrated with a smart thermostat to maximize savings even further (we haven’t yet tested such models).
If you already have ceiling fans installed, you can upgrade their capabilities with a smart switch, such as the Lutron Caséta Smart Fan Control. It works with most existing fans (though it does require the use of a Caséta Smart Bridge), and it can respond to triggers from an app or other smart devices, such as thermostats or temperature sensors. If a ceiling fan just isn’t a good fit, a room fan with a smart plug is an easy and affordable option.
It’s no surprise that one big way summer heat infiltrates your home is right through your windows. Smart shades and blinds tend to be expensive, but they are convenient and effective: They can block or absorb the sun’s rays to help keep things cooler, without needing to flip on the AC. Models like those from SmartWings and Lutron can be set to raise and lower (or to open and close) based on a daily schedule, or on a whim using voice commands to a smart speaker or your phone.
