Cherri Design

from Eye On Magazine JUNE 2021

by MeadowLand Media, LLC.

Thyme Enough

Cherri Rodgers has a B.S. In Interior Design from UCA. She is active in several local ministries & community projects. Most of all, she values time with her family and grandson. Cherri's Interior Design is available for both residential & commercial design or decorating needs. Cherri owns The Kitchen Shop at 610 Saint Louis Street in Batesville for all your kitchen needs.

Last month, we began discussing smart thermostats and if you actually need one for your home. This month, we continue with information that hopefully will help you determine if you should install one in your home for your family’s needs and lifestyle. Smart gadgets often refer to the ability to connect to other Wi-Fi powered devices, such as your smart phone, thus allowing them to ‘talk’ to each other. One advantage of a smart thermostat is that you can adjust the heat or air in your home, before you head home from work. Not only can a smart thermostat be installed in your home, but it can be useful for controlling the temperature in a vacation home. These type of thermostats offers convenience, but it can help conserve energy, saving you money on your electric bills. It ensures that your HVAC system will not be running unnecessarily when no one is home, but it has the ability to monitor and control temperature remotely, as well as learning your family’s preferences and adjust accordingly. When installed and used correctly, this unit can save up to 25% on your monthly utility bills. “Geofencing” is available on some models, which is a GPS-based feature. This feature knows when you are on your way home from work and adjusts the temperature before your arrival. Essentially, there is probably never again a need for you to adjust the temperature setting from the thermostat with such a device as a smart thermostat. When researching smart thermostats, consider your existing smart home system, if you have one. The latest models do a great job automating and monitoring your home’s temperature settings, because they are more integrated with your home. When shopping for the right thermostat, be sure to select one that is compatible with your existing smart-home system. If you do not have a smart-home system, be sure to select one compatible with your system, focusing on your preferred system if you plan to upgrade to a smarthome system in the future. Fortunately, many smart thermostats will connect to a wide variety of systems, rather than just one standard system. Hiring a professional electrician to install your smart thermostat is highly recommended. Smart thermostats often require a C-wire, and many newer homes are now built with C-wire. C-wire offers 24 volts of electricity to power features, such as Wi-Fi communication and lighted touch screens. But there are smart thermostats that offer an alternative method of powering the unit. If you are considering a smart thermostat, do your homework and research it thoroughly. Be sure it is what you need for your home and lifestyle. If you do plan to upgrade to a smart-home system in the near future, plan ahead and select the correct model for your preferred system. And lastly, seek professional advice. May you stay warm and cool! N