Can You Install a Smart Thermostat in An Apartment - Smarthome Hut

Can You Install a Smart Thermostat in An Apartment

Install a Smart Thermostat in An Apartment
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Are you tired of constantly adjusting the temperature in your apartment? Do you want to save money on your energy bill? If so, you might be interested in installing a smart thermostat in your apartment. But is it possible to install a smart thermostat in an apartment?

Installing a Thermostat becomes trickier when you have moved to a new apartment keeping in mind the cost and energy usage.

Key Takeaways

  • Yes! You can install a smart thermostat in your apartment. But, must review the landlord’s policy before installing a thermostat if you live in a rental apartment. Because they may disallow if major electrical wiring adjustment is required.
  • If there is already a traditional thermostat installed, keep the old wiring save. Because smart thermostats may require new wiring but your old wiring and related accessories will help in setting up a new smart thermostat.
  • Installing thermostats may require some technical knowledge and a professional hand for electrical installments.

Can You Install A Smart Thermostat In An Apartment?

Yes, you can install a smart thermostat in an apartment. However, the installation process may vary depending on the type of apartment you live in.

If you rent an apartment, you will need to get permission from your landlord before installing a smart thermostat. Some landlords may require you to hire a professional to install the thermostat, while others may allow you to do it yourself.

If you own an apartment, you can install a smart thermostat without needing permission from anyone. However, you will need to make sure that your thermostat is compatible with your HVAC system.

If you have a central HVAC system, you may need to hire a professional to install the thermostat. If you have a window air conditioning unit or a space heater, you can easily install a smart plug that will allow you to control the temperature remotely.

You may also need a technician’s help if you are not aware of basic wiring knowledge. If there is already a traditional thermostat, its electrical wiring and other accessories are going to save your installment cost.

Benefits of Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats offer numerous benefits to homeowners, including

Energy savings

Smart thermostats can learn your heating and cooling preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly. This can help reduce your energy bills by optimizing your HVAC system’s performance.

Convenience

With a smart thermostat, you can control your home’s temperature from your smartphone or other devices, even when you’re not at home. This can be especially helpful if you forget to adjust the temperature before leaving the house.

Comfort

Smart thermostats can provide a more comfortable home environment by ensuring that the temperature is always at the desired level. They can also adjust the temperature based on occupancy, time of day, and other factors.

Learning capabilities

Many smart thermostats have learning capabilities that allow them to adjust to your habits and preferences over time. They can learn when you’re typically home or away and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Integration with other smart home devices

Smart thermostats can be integrated with other smart home devices, such as smart lighting, smart locks, and smart speakers, allowing you to control multiple aspects of your home from one device.

Remote access

With a smart thermostat, you can adjust the temperature of your home from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing you to ensure your home is comfortable before you arrive.

Environmental impact

Smart thermostats can help reduce your carbon footprint by optimizing your HVAC system’s performance, which can help conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

nest thermostat

Disadvantages of Smart Thermostats

  • May require technical help for installation
  • It is relatively costly
  • Mobility: If you are about to move to a new apartment/home, don’t plan to install a smart thermostat because it will be difficult to remove the installation and it’s for long-term convenience.
  • You may require permission from the apartment owner if you are living as a tenant.

Amazon Smart Thermostat

Features: ENERGY STAR, Works with Alexa

Amazon Smart Thermostat

What is a Smart Thermostat | Difference with Regular Thermostat

Smart Thermostat: A Convenient and Affordable Way to Control

Unlike regular thermostats, a Smart Thermostat lets you control your temperature without having to be physically present. For example, you can change the temperature right from your phone in case you forgot to set it before leaving or if you just don’t feel like getting up from the sofa.

But, a Traditional Thermostat allows you to control the temperature from the control pad on your apartment wall. So, you always have to go to your thermostat’s control pad to change the temperature.

You can also program a smart thermostat to follow a schedule, giving you just the right temperature at the right time and helping you save on energy costs as well.

Popular Wi-Fi thermostats like Nest and EcoBee only work if they have a Wi-Fi connection. This is feasible in a home or office environment but causes major issues in a multi-family apartment setting where the Wi-Fi situation is constantly changing.

Related:

This is where a more practical alternative comes in: a smart thermostat that uses z-wave technology to communicate with a cell-enabled control panel.

No Wi-Fi is needed. This means the thermostat is ready to go as soon as a resident moves in, and property managers can easily control the temperature in vacant units to save energy.

smart thermostat

How to Install a Smart Thermostat in an apartment

  • First, Turn off the power from the circuit breaker or main switch.
  • Remove your old Thermostat to fit the smart thermostat in place of it.
  • Check the compatibility of your old Thermostat settings and wiring. Because high voltage wiring may not be compatible with new smart Nest Thermostats. You may use the Google Nest compatibility tool to check the compatibility.
  • Now, Turn off the service switch on the side of the furnace.
  • Remove the faceplate from the existing thermostat.
  • Take a digital photograph of the wire connections.
  • Use a screwdriver to loosen the screw terminals on the thermostat’s base plate.
Use a screwdriver to loosen the screw
  • Pull the end of each wire out of the terminal.
  • Unscrew and remove the base plate from the wall.
  • Screw the base plate of the new smart thermostat to the wall. Be sure the base plate is level.
  • Connect each wire to the appropriate terminal on the base plate.
Connect each wire to the appropriate terminal
  • Snap the smart thermostat onto the base plate.
  • Turn on the service switch at the furnace.
  • At the thermostat, follow the touch-screen prompts to choose the preferred language and internet setting, which allows you to control the thermostat remotely from a tablet or smartphone.
follow the touch-screen prompts
  • Next, enter the year when the house was last remodeled, then select a name for the thermostat.
  • Select the lowest and highest room temperatures for when you’re not at home.
Select the lowest and highest room temperatures
  • Adjust the thermostat setting each time you leave for work and return home. After a few days, the thermostat will learn your habits and automatically adjust the heat.

Best Smart Thermostat For An Apartment

Google Nest Learning Thermostat

Google Nest Learning Thermostat is designed to learn your schedule and the temperatures you prefer, and then program itself to help you save energy and stay comfortable. It features a Home/Away Assist function that automatically adjusts the temperature to an eco-friendly setting after you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home. The remote control function allows family members to change the temperature from anywhere using a phone, laptop, or tablet.

Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat

Emerson Sensi is Energy Star certified and can help you save on your HVAC energy costs. It features geofencing, seven-day flexible scheduling, remote access, and in-app system usage. The built-in level and step-by-step app instructions make installation a breeze, and its standard thermostat size means you won’t have to do any extra work, such as painting or patching walls.

Honeywell Programmable Thermostat

Honeywell Programmable Thermostat is another great option, offering seven-day, four-period-per-day flexible programming. This allows you to sync your comfort with your schedule. You can control your Wi-Fi thermostat anytime, anywhere using the Total Connect Comfort app or the Honeywell Home app, and it’s compatible with voice assistant devices like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana, and more.

Echo B3 Light Smart Thermostat

Echo B3 Light Smart Thermostat is perfect for those who want to balance the temperature throughout their entire home. By placing the temperature and occupancy sensors in the rooms that matter the most, this smart thermostat can automatically switch to the right mode for comfort when you’re home or for savings when you’re not. It’s important to note that the two packs for this thermostat are sold separately.

Ecobee3 Lite SmartThermostat, Black

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Smart Thermostat?

Smart Thermostat ModelAverage CostProfessional Installation Cost
Nest Learning Thermostat$249$75-$200
Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat$249$50-$150
Honeywell Lyric T5$149$75-$150
Emerson Sensi Touch$169$75-$150
Google Nest Thermostat E$169$75-$200

Note: The above prices are average prices and may vary depending on your location and installation requirements. Professional installation costs may also vary depending on the complexity of the installation and the hourly rate of the installer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my apartment thermostat with a smart thermostat?

While installing a smart thermostat, you need to shut down your main breaker which may be accessed via the homeowner and you might need to take permission to replace the old thermostat with a new smart thermostat.

Can You Install a Smart Thermostat Yourself

While it is possible to install a smart thermostat yourself, it is recommended that you hire a licensed professional to install the device. This is because installing a smart thermostat requires knowledge of your home’s electrical and HVAC systems, and a licensed professional will have the necessary skills and experience to ensure that the installation is done safely and correctly.

  • Installing a smart thermostat involves working with electrical wiring and can be dangerous if not done correctly.
  • You may need to purchase additional equipment or wiring to install a smart thermostat in your apartment.
  • Many manufacturers offer professional installation services for an additional fee.

How Does a Smart Thermostat Work in an Apartment?

A smart thermostat works by learning your daily routine and adjusting the temperature in your apartment accordingly. Most smart thermostats connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network, which allows you to control the temperature remotely using a smartphone app.

Can I take my smart thermostat with me when I move out of my apartment?

Yes, you can usually take your smart thermostat with you when you move out of your apartment, but it’s important to check with your landlord or property manager first. They may require you to leave the original thermostat in place or replace it with another thermostat before you move out.

Are there any potential drawbacks to installing a smart thermostat in an apartment?

One potential drawback is that if you move out of the apartment, you may have to leave the smart thermostat behind or replace it with the original thermostat. Additionally, if the apartment complex has a centralized HVAC system, you may not be able to control the thermostat settings in your individual unit.


About Author

Hamza Munir

Originally from Pakistan, being a young lad in Tech industry, Hamza has a keen interest in PC games, and Windows OS Security Systems. He loves technology and Alexa products and he has used multiple automated gadgets at home, with almost every version of the Echo and Rumbas especially. He is recently studying advanced AI and Machine Learning at ITU Pakistan. Now, He has also involved himself in Aurdino products to study advanced Robotics. His degree is Bachelor's in Computer Science but his Specialization has taken him to a higher positions at various job positions. Now, He writes detailed information on every issue and feature of Alexa, Echo, and other smart and automated gadgets and also reviews them according to my use and personal utility experience. Hamza has been providing people with different troubleshoots related to robotics, and AI since 2020 and He has attached himself with <a href="https://smarthomehut.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smarthomehut</a> in 2022 You can find him @ <ol> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052732758107" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/HamzaMu31587055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></li> </ol> More Info <a href="https://smarthomehut.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">About Smarthomehut</a>

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