Free with a new AC system
If you are getting a new AC system from us, you choose one of two extras: a free smart thermostat, or a free first year of maintenance. Pick the thermostat and it goes in with the new system, so the wiring, the system settings and the app are set up together. Every new system also comes with a 10-year parts and 10-year labor warranty.
Not sure which to pick? A simple way to decide:
- Pick the thermostat if your current one is old, has no Wi-Fi, or you have never had a schedule that actually fits your week.
- Pick the maintenance if you already have a smart thermostat you like, or you want the new system checked over after its first year of running.
See AC installation and replacement for how a new system is chosen and installed.
Smart thermostat installs on their own
Not replacing your system? We install smart thermostats on existing systems too. A smart thermostat connects to your home Wi-Fi so you can see and change the temperature from your phone, wherever you are. Beyond remote control, the useful features are:
- Schedules that cool or heat the house around when you are actually home.
- Away detection using your phone's location, so the system eases off when everyone leaves.
- Usage reports that show how many hours the system runs each day, which helps spot a problem early.
- Alerts for things like a filter reminder or a temperature that drifts too far.
Why installation matters
Swapping a thermostat looks simple, and sometimes it is. Often it is not, and a wiring mistake can damage the control board in your furnace or air handler. The common snags:
- No C-wireMost smart thermostats need constant power from a common (C) wire. Many older systems do not have one run to the thermostat.
- Heat pump wiringHeat pumps use a reversing valve and backup heat, which must be wired and configured correctly or the system heats when it should cool.
- Multi-stage systemsTwo-stage and variable-speed equipment need the right terminals and settings to run efficiently.
- CompatibilitySome systems, including many mini-splits and some communicating systems, need a specific controller or adapter.
We check what your system is, wire it correctly, run a C-wire or add an adapter if needed, and set up the app and schedule with you before we leave.
Popular options
The most common choices are the Google Nest, ecobee and Honeywell Home lines. All work well with most standard systems. The differences come down to how you like to use them: some lean on learning your habits, others on remote room sensors that balance temperatures between rooms, others on a simple, familiar layout. Tell us what matters to you and we will suggest one that fits your system.
Getting the most from it with SDG&E
Most SDG&E residential customers are on time-of-use rates, where electricity costs the most from 4 to 9 pm. A smart thermostat makes it easy to work with that:
- Pre-cool before 4 pm on hot days, then let the temperature drift up a few degrees during peak hours.
- Avoid big swings with a heat pump. Small setbacks are fine; large ones can bring on the expensive backup heat.
- Check the run-time report after a heat wave. If the system ran nearly nonstop, it may need service or a closer look at sizing.
Savings depend on your home and habits, so we will not promise a number. For most people the bigger win is comfort and control.
Pair it with the right system
A smart thermostat cannot fix a struggling system. If your AC is short cycling or your heat is uneven, start with AC repair or heating repair. If you are replacing your system anyway, the thermostat can go in at the same time, as part of an AC installation or a heat pump upgrade. We install thermostats in Chula Vista (including Eastlake, Otay Ranch and Rolling Hills Ranch), Poway, Del Mar and La Jolla.