How do you get the most out of a smart climate control system?

What is the one upgrade to make first?

A programmable smart thermostat, installed and scheduled. Once a professional has installed it on the existing wiring, program settings that follow the day. Warm for a winter morning, a few degrees lower once the sun is up, back up before people come home. A thermostat that supports scenes, mealtime, bedtime, away, is worth more than one that supports a single schedule, because the scenes can be shared with lighting and shades. Ecobee is the thermostat we install most; it replaces the existing unit on the same wires and adds wireless room sensors.

When should the house go into energy-saving mode?

For the eight hours no one is home, and overnight. In most households the house is empty during work and school, and that is the time to set back the temperature by season. Program the recovery to start before the family arrives so the house is comfortable at the door. Occupancy sensors do the same job without a schedule: a room that has been empty for an hour stops being heated. The monthly bill is where you see it.

How does climate control affect health?

Gradual change is easier on the body. Sudden temperature swings bring on allergies and tension headaches for some people. A smart thermostat lets you shift the setpoint slowly as the seasons change rather than in one jump. For a household member who is sensitive to cold, a consistent temperature while they are home and a setback while they are out keeps both comfort and cost in check.

Are motorized shades a climate tool?

Yes, one of the most effective. Window treatments are among the best ways to manage heat in a house. A closed shade traps a layer of air between the glass and the fabric, which slows heat loss in winter and keeps solar gain out in summer. Light-colored and reflective fabrics insulate best; honeycomb shades add air pockets that insulate further. Scheduled to close on the sun-facing side in the afternoon and open in the evening, shades reduce the load on the HVAC without anyone touching them. Our shade options are on the motorized shades page.

How does it join the rest of the house?

Through the control system. In Control4, the thermostat is a device like a dimmer. An Away scene sets it back along with the lights and locks, and a Goodnight scene lowers it with the shades. A Movie scene can drop it a degree because a full room warms up. Control4 interoperates with 25,000+ third-party products (Control4), so the thermostat, the shades and the lights from different makers act as one system.

What maintenance keeps it working?

A watchful eye and filter changes. Once the settings are optimized, check that the thermostat and the HVAC are still talking to each other, change filters on schedule, and review the program each season. A faulty system wastes money and energy; regular maintenance catches the disconnects before they become a cold house in January.

What drives the cost?

The thermostat, the number of rooms with sensors, whether shades are part of the job, and whether the house already runs a control system. A thermostat on existing wiring is a short visit. Whole-house shades are a larger project. For a range, use the instant quote; a walk-through gets you a written proposal.

Need it installed?

Rivas Technology Group designs and installs climate control, motorized shades and the automation that runs them, from Kent across south King County and Pierce County. Our own team does the work in homes. Start on the smart home automation page, or book a walk-through below.