Why You Should Install a Smart Thermostat Before Winter Hits

September is the best time to install a smart thermostat before winter. Learn why EcoNet‑BH from Grus.io is the ideal solution for baseboard heating, saving up to 20% on energy bills.

Robert Johnson , September 3, 2025

As the summer fades and cooler nights begin to roll in, many homeowners make the mistake of delaying their heating system upgrades. But here’s the truth: waiting until winter hits to upgrade your thermostat could cost you far more than you think.

In the U.S. and Canada, electricity rates typically spike during the colder months due to increased demand for heating. If your home uses electric baseboard heating—a common system in northern regions—you’re already dealing with one of the most energy-hungry heating methods on the market.

Smart thermostats aren’t just about convenience—they’re a proven way to reduce heating costs by 10–20% annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). With energy prices on the rise and winters growing harsher, the best time to act is before the cold sets in.

September is the sweet spot—not too hot, not too cold. It gives you the perfect window to install, configure, and get familiar with your new system before your heating bills begin to climb.

Why Fall (Especially September) Is the Perfect Time

✴️ The Heat Has Passed, But the Chill Is Coming

By September, summer’s scorching heat is fading, and you’re probably turning off the AC more often. But that doesn’t mean your HVAC needs are over—now is the time to think about how you’ll stay warm without wasting energy.

This shoulder season is the ideal time to re-evaluate your heating setup. A smart thermostat allows you to prepare for the changing temperatures with scheduled heating, zone control, and remote access.

🛠️ Comfortable Weather = Comfortable Installation

Let’s face it—no one wants to fiddle with thermostats in a freezing house or during a holiday week. September weather offers the ideal conditions for DIY installation. No sweaty crawlspaces. No frozen fingers.

And if you decide to hire a technician, you’ll likely get better availability and lower rates compared to the peak heating season.

🧠 A Smarter Mindset in Autumn

Fall is a psychological transition point. Many homeowners are ready to invest in “efficiency tools” as part of back-to-school routines, home maintenance checklists, and winter prep.

Installing a smart thermostat like EcoNet‑BH in September puts you ahead of the game, both mentally and financially.

🎯 The September Advantage

Here’s how the math works out:

---
title: "September Smart Thermostat Timeline"
---
timeline
    title September Smart Thermostat Roadmap
    section Preparation
      September : Install smart thermostat
    section Setup
      October : Test schedules & presets
    section Benefits
      November : Save on heating bills
      December : Optimized comfort & cost control

Installing early means:

You have time to test your setup
You can optimize energy schedules before cold snaps
You avoid winter installation rush
You maximize savings for the whole season

The Hidden Costs of Dumb Heating

It’s easy to overlook your thermostat—until you see your winter electric bill.

In many North American homes, especially in older constructions, mechanical or analog thermostats still dominate. These devices offer no automation, no remote control, and no way to schedule temperatures. In short, they keep heating your space—even when no one is home.

That’s where the real cost comes in.

❄️ Always On = Always Wasting

Without temperature presets or occupancy detection, baseboard heating systems using manual thermostats will continue running until you manually switch them off. That means you’re heating empty rooms, wasting electricity, and inflating your bill.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, smart thermostats can save up to 10–20% on heating costs—simply by optimizing when and how heat is delivered.

📊 Energy Cost Comparison

Here’s a comparison of winter heating energy usage in homes with traditional vs. smart thermostats, assuming baseboard electric heating in a 1,500 sq ft home.

Month	Manual Thermostat (kWh)	Smart Thermostat (kWh)	Savings (%)
November	950	780	18%
December	1,200	980	18.3%
January	1,350	1,100	18.5%
February	1,100	900	18.2%

Over the course of a winter season, that adds up to 500–800 kWh saved—equivalent to 75–150 depending on your utility rate.

🧠 More Than Just Scheduling

Modern smart thermostats like EcoNet‑BH also offer:

Remote access: Control temperature from anywhere via app or Home Assistant.
Custom profiles: Pre-set modes for Away, Sleep, and Eco usage.
APP integration: APP control and compatibility with automation routines.

How EcoNet‑BH Makes Baseboard Heating Smarter

Unlike generic thermostats, EcoNet‑BH is built specifically for high-voltage electric baseboard heaters common in U.S. and Canadian homes. It’s not a repurposed low-voltage thermostat—it’s purpose-built for 240V systems.

🔧 Designed with Baseboard Heating in Mind

⚡ 240V Ready: Supports 240V (and 120V) heating loads up to 16A
🌐 Zigbee Protocol: Works with Home Assistant, Zigbee2MQTT, and third-party hubs
🔒 Local Control: No reliance on cloud servers = privacy + faster response
📅 Smart Scheduling: 5+2 or 7-day programming, per-room presets
📡 Remote Access: Control from anywhere via automation dashboard

🧾 Feature Comparison Table

Feature	Traditional Thermostat	EcoNet‑BH
Control Type	Manual dial	App Controls
Voltage Support	120V/240V	✅ 120V/240V (verified)
Remote Operation	❌	✅
Smart Presets	❌	✅ (Home/Away/Sleep)
Automation Support	❌	✅ HomeKit/HA/Alexa
Energy Savings	❌	✅ 10–20% per season