Are you looking for a way to save money on your energy bills and make your home more eco-friendly? In that case, installing a smart thermostat is an excellent choice. So, how do you get your hands on one of these nifty gadgets at no cost?
To get a free smart thermostat, you need to check if you qualify for a rebate, identify the relevant incentive programs, talk to your energy provider, and choose a thermostat. After that, you should purchase it and then apply for a rebate on checkout. However, ensure you get it from an authorized dealer.
This article explains these steps in greater detail. Keep reading to learn more on what to consider when choosing your free thermostat and insights into the cheapest thermostats on the market.
Also read: Smart Thermostat vs. Regular Thermostat (Compared and Tested)
How To Get a Smart Thermostat for Free
Some utilities offer unique programs specific to smart home upgrades in addition to any incentives offered by state or local governments or other organizations.
Most programs require homeowners who want free access to energy efficiency improvements such as air conditioning units or insulations to purchase specific thermostats from participating providers before they are eligible for rebates.
Similarly, free smart thermostats exist, and you can get one if you qualify. To get a free smart thermostat, take these six steps:
1. Check if You’re Eligible for a Rebate
Find out if you qualify for a free smart thermostat. To be eligible, the person who’s installing your smart thermostat needs to have an account with certain utilities that are listed on this site – PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric Company)
You can also get one through a participating utility provider such as Shell Energy Services (UK) or Duke Energy Florida.
2. Check for Incentive Programs in Your Locality
Check if there is an incentive program in place for you at home. Your city may offer rebates or grants specifically designed to help those who want energy efficiency upgrades. These may include upgrading heating systems, air conditioning units, and insulation, among other things.
3. Call Your Energy Provider
Talk with your energy provider about any rebates you qualify for before investing in new equipment. You might be able to take advantage of such programs if your provider has partnered with the companies offering these devices free.
4. Identify Your Preferred Thermostat
After identifying the rebates you qualify for and the smart thermostat options offered under each of them, the next step is to choose your preferred device.
When picking your smart thermostat, it’s best to consider the following:
- The type of heating or cooling system you have.
- Whether the thermostat is compatible with your climate controls.
- How much energy efficiency it will provide for your home’s specific needs.
- How much you want to spend on installation fees. Some programs exclude these costs from the free package, meaning you incur the installation costs.
Here’s a video that describes the factors to consider when buying a smart thermostat:
5. Make the Purchase
Choose the new thermostat that best suits your needs, and make sure you purchase it from a reputable company. I recommend purchasing your new thermostat from an authorized dealer to ensure that you receive a genuine product and a full manufacturer’s warranty.
6. Apply for a Rebate on Checkout
If you have earned a rebate on your purchase, it automatically applies to your bill.
Once you apply for an energy efficiency upgrade with your utility provider and prove that you qualify for a rebate, they may come and assess your home first. At this point, if all goes well, they can complete the installation of our upgraded system at no cost to you.
Once you’ve followed these steps and succeeded, you can now activate and use your new thermostat. Just follow the instructions that come with your new thermostat.
You can also find user manuals online for most models if you ever need them.
What Is the Cheapest Smart Thermostat?
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat, found on Amazon.com, is the cheapest thermostat on the market. Despite its lower price than most alternatives, this device has positive reviews on Amazon and Consumer Reports.
Thanks to the built-in Alexa, you can use voice commands and voice prompts to control your Ecobee. There are different sets of built-in commands, but you can enter yours as well. The app also lets you customize settings based on specific situations.
For instance, you can tell it what to do with the window coverings drawn at night or when you’re not at home.
Another cheap smart thermostat worth considering is the Nest Learning Thermostat (Amazon link). Although it’s pricier, Nest has many features that make it easy to use, such as remote and voice control. It also learns the temperature you like, turns itself down when you’re away, and reverts to the optimum temperature when you’re back home.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to save money on your heating and cooling costs, it might be time to make the switch. By following these steps, you can get a free thermostat that will provide years of energy savings for your home and help cut down your budget.
But before you go shopping, ensure you check different rebate programs and if they cover additional expenses like installation.
Also, when buying a smart thermostat, it would help to trade with an authorized dealer so that any warranty claims are honored by the manufacturer if something goes wrong with the product.