The Drawback of Smart Thermostats

The One Drawback Of The One Drawback Of Smart Thermostats Smart Thermostats You Probably Haven't Heard About You Probably Haven't Heard About

40 percent of homes in the U.S. have smart thermostats. 40 percent of homes in the U.S. have smart thermostats. Cornell researchers found that many users often keep the default factory settings because they don’t understand how to program their smart thermostat. Cornell researchers found that many users often keep the default factory settings because they don’t understand how to program their smart thermostat.

Default settings increase demand on the grid at peak times. Default settings increase demand on the grid at peak times. Because so many users keep the default factory settings for their smart thermostat, all of these devices are set to warm up a cold house in the winter at the same time—typically around 6:00 am. Because so many users keep the default factory settings for their smart thermostat, all of these devices are set to warm up a cold house in the winter at the same time—typically around 6:00 am.

Solar can’t pick up the slack on dark winter mornings. Solar can’t pick up the slack on dark winter mornings. During the colder winter months, in particular, this load synchronization often occurs during the early morning hours, when it is still dark outside. During the colder winter months, in particular, this load synchronization often occurs during the early morning hours, when it is still dark outside.

Electric heat will increase the demand on the power grid. Electric heat will increase the demand on the power grid. With the increased stress, more power outages or rolling blackouts could occur. With the increased stress, more power outages or rolling blackouts could occur.

Educate consumers and stagger ramp-up times. Educate consumers and stagger ramp-up times. This will help prevent the onslaught on the grid caused by all the consumers who stick with the thermostat’s default settings. This will help prevent the onslaught on the grid caused by all the consumers who stick with the thermostat’s default settings.

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