Smart Thermostats: Are They Worth the Upgrade?

Smart Thermostats: Are They Worth It?

If you're still using a basic thermostat — or even an older programmable one — upgrading to a smart thermostat is one of the easiest ways to save money on your energy bills. But with so many options on the market, it's worth understanding what you're getting and whether it makes sense for your home.

At MGP Mechanical, we install smart thermostats every week. Here's what we tell our customers.

How Smart Thermostats Save Money

A smart thermostat learns your schedule and adjusts temperatures automatically. Instead of heating or cooling your home all day when nobody's there, it dials back when you leave and ramps up before you get home. The Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save about 10 percent per year on heating and cooling by simply turning their thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day. A smart thermostat does this automatically.

In Albuquerque, where we run our AC hard from May through September and heat from November through March, those savings add up fast. Most homeowners see $100 to $200 per year in energy savings, which means the thermostat pays for itself within a year or two.

Features That Actually Matter

Learning capability. The best smart thermostats learn your habits over the first week or two and start adjusting automatically. You don't have to program complicated schedules.

Remote access. Control your thermostat from your phone, anywhere. Forgot to turn down the AC before leaving for vacation? No problem.

Energy reports. See exactly how much energy you're using and when. This helps you identify patterns and make smarter choices.

Geofencing. Some models use your phone's location to detect when you leave home and arrive back, adjusting temperatures accordingly.

Maintenance reminders. Get alerts when it's time to change your filter or schedule maintenance. This helps keep your system running efficiently.

Our Top Recommendations

We install several brands, but the ones our customers love most are:

Ecobee. Great all-around option with room sensors included. The sensors detect temperature and occupancy in different rooms, so it adjusts based on where people actually are, not just where the thermostat is mounted.

Honeywell Home T-Series. Reliable and user-friendly with a clean interface. Great for homeowners who want smart features without the complexity.

Google Nest. Sleek design with strong learning capability. Works well if you're already in the Google ecosystem.

All of these are compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and most home automation systems.

Compatibility Matters

Not every smart thermostat works with every HVAC system. If you have a heat pump, a multi-stage furnace, or a dual-fuel system, you need a thermostat that supports those configurations. Installing an incompatible thermostat can cause your system to run incorrectly, waste energy, or even damage components.

That's why we recommend professional installation. We'll verify compatibility, run new thermostat wire if needed (many smart thermostats require a C-wire that older homes don't have), and make sure everything is configured correctly for your specific system.

Rebates Available

Both PNM and New Mexico Gas Company offer a $50 rebate when you install a qualifying smart thermostat. Combined with the energy savings, the upgrade is essentially free within the first year.

Get Started

Ready to upgrade your thermostat? Call MGP Mechanical at (505) 878-5788. We'll recommend the right model for your system, handle the installation, and make sure it's set up correctly. Most installations take about an hour.