Your high-speed internet connection can hook you up with savings — on your heating and cooling costs.

As more people gain access to broadband internet connections, they may consider upgrading to a Wi-Fi thermostat. Fortunately, your local electric cooperative offers a $45 rebate for qualifying Wi-Fi thermostat upgrades. And beyond the rebate, a Wi-Fi thermostat can help you save money over time. Your home’s heating and cooling are often its largest use of energy. Some Wi-Fi thermostats can sense when you’re not home and can be programmed to reduce energy use at specific times of the day. This helps your HVAC system avoid working overtime.

Control your HVAC system remotely

If you’ve pulled into your work parking lot only to realize you forgot to change your thermostat to a more energy-efficient setting, you’re not alone. Sure, it’s nice to come home from work to a comfortable temperature, but it’s a waste of energy to run your heating or air conditioning unit at an optimal temperature for humans all day — especially if you’re not there for eight hours or more. With your Wi-Fi thermostat’s app on your smartphone, controlling the temperature is a few swipes away.

Enjoy more control over your home

A Wi-Fi thermostat can provide more flexibility. For example, many Wi-Fi thermostats allow you to set specific temperatures for certain parts of your home. If your family is all hanging out in the family room, you probably don’t need to be heating or cooling your upstairs bedrooms. Some thermostats may even let you program a different setting for each room, optimizing your energy use and saving you money on your energy bill.

Improve your indoor air quality

A Wi-Fi thermostat can improve your home’s air quality by letting you know when your filters need to be changed or alerting you when you need to schedule regular HVAC maintenance. Some Wi-Fi thermostats even include a humidity sensor, helping you keep your home at a comfortable level.

These are just a few reasons why you might benefit from upgrading to a Wi-Fi thermostat. To learn more about these energy-efficient appliances and how they work with your specific HVAC system, visit our Wi-Fi thermostat page, or contact your local electric co-op’s home energy advisor today.