How to get a free (or very cheap) smart thermostat

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, but there are things like a free smart thermostat. Energy companies across the country are offering customers rebates that can drive the price of smart thermostats down to zero, so check before you buy his EccoBee on Amazon. whether you are eligible.

How to check if a free smart thermostat is available

The easiest and quickest way to find out if you’re eligible for a thermostat rebate is to visit G.Open oogle and enter the name of your gas or electric company + “tHarmostat Rebate. You’ll see a link to a page explaining how much rebate you can get on what kind of equipment. For example, you may qualify for a $100 rebate on some brands of smart thermostats, a $75 discount for some brands, and no rebates for others. Depending on your location, rebates typically cover the full cost of a basic smart thermostat. If you want a more sophisticated model, it’s “very cheap” instead.

If G is out of luckgoogle search, go to G.google’s database If your power company offers discounts on Nest products, they may also cover other brands. Or check your power company’s homepage and look for links to something like “Energy Conservation”. If all this doesn’t work, give us a call and ask.

Note: Some power companies Professional installation may be required of smart devices are eligible for the rebate, but most are not.

Why are energy companies giving away smart thermometers for free?

U.S. Department of Energy It’s estimated that the average consumer can save 10% per year on heating and cooling costs by simply turning the thermostat up or down slightly while sleeping. Smart thermostats make this easy through automation. Governments are more concerned with energy efficiency than with saving money, so they have various programs in place to encourage the adoption of technologies that encourage savings.

This kind of “stop wasting energy” programs have been around since the 1970s. So there are probably other energy-related programs available through your utility company from federal, state, and local governments, such as free LED bulbs, help with insulation, and heavily discounted solar panel installations.

Look for more of these programs including c in the near future.Ash Incentives Toward Buying A More Efficient Stovewater heaters, electric vehicles.

Does this mean the power company can control the thermostat?

Be warned that gas and electric companies control customers’ smart thermostats Internet posting and conspiratorial mind spirals, but as far as I know, there is no state in which a man can change the temperature settings in your home without your permission. Your permission is valuable.

For example, the state of Texas offers consumers the chance to enter a $5,000 sweepstakes in exchange for giving up some control over their thermostats. used the program this summer Reduce stress on the power grid and avoid AC-related voltage sags. Other states offer gift cards, like California. Cough $125 to sign up and give away $60 a year to stay in the program.California also recently Modified thermostat for customers opting into the program.

Whether the savings are worth the intrusion of outside forces into the heating and cooling of your home is a philosophical question you must answer for yourself, but the important thing is that it is voluntary.