Unless you are building a new home, you already have a thermostat in any property you purchase. Most people just keep what they have, but thermostat technology has come a long way in the last few years. Spending a couple hundred dollars today can save you thousands in the future. Some upgrades can even raise the value of your home.

Manual Thermostats

The most common, and least expensive, thermostat in most properties. These thermostats do the job, but not much more. These thermostats can set your room to a specific temperature, but that is not always the best option.

Pros:

• Easy to Use
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Only works at the temperature you set
• Can be inefficient

Timed Thermostats

The next level up in the world of thermostats is a thermostat with a built in timer. There are various levels of complexity, but the typical thermostat with a timer allows you to set a specific schedule for your temperature by day of the week.

These can save you a ton of money on your heating and air conditioning bills. If you typically work 8:00am-5:00pm every weekday, there is no need to pay to heat and cool those rooms as much as usual while you’re not home.

A timer can raise and lower your temperatures when you are regularly away from home, or when you are normally asleep.

Pros:

• Saves money
• Match your typical schedule

Cons:

• Higher cost
• Does not always adapt to vacations, other unique scenarios

Smart Thermostats

A few years ago, Nest released its first smart thermostat. Now owned by the same parent company as Google, Nest has released a powerful second generation learning thermostat.

These smart thermostats offer all of the benefits of a timed thermostat with many more features and benefits.

Unlike a timed thermostat, you do not have to enter your schedule into a smart thermostat. The thermostat keeps track of when you typically leave and return home using your home’s wireless internet and an app on your phone. It tailors itself to your schedule and makes adjustments automatically if your schedule shifts. Two family members? More? Don’t worry. Smart thermostats can handle that too.

The thermostats also learn from how your typically set your temperature when you are home. If you really like 71 degrees in the afternoon, but prefer 68 at night, the thermostat will figure that out. Just set the thermostat to whatever temperature makes you comfortable, and it will take note.

Over time, the thermostat gets better and better, and you don’t have to think about it at all. And, because it adjusts when you leave the house and sleep, it saves you money automatically.

As a bonus, you can set the temperature or turn the entire unit on and off anywhere you have internet through an app on your phone. It’s really simple.

Pros:

• Save money over the long run
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Cost
• Minor privacy concerns

A Quality Home Sells with a Quality Agent

Small upgrades to your home add up, and details like a smart thermostat can help your home sell for more when it’s time. But no matter what condition your home is in, you get the best results with a quality real estate agent.

Start your search for the perfect agent with AgentHarvest. We’re ready when you are.

If you are buying or selling a house and are looking to hire a successful real estate agent to help you through the process, take a look at AgentHarvest's list of top-ranking local Realtors in your area. We found these agents by examining their sales track records, awards, rankings, client testimonials and by conducting personal interviews.