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How to Pay for a Smart Thermostat

How to · Tech

How to Pay for a Smart Thermostat

Upgrade your home efficiency by timing your purchase with utility rebates and a 15-month payment window.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $350 before anything else
Across the 0% window $23.33/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $350 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Smart thermostats are about comfort and stopping the waste of heating empty rooms. A good setup with sensors for two zones should last you at least a decade. You want a system that talks to your phone and learns when you are actually home.

Buy in the fall when utility companies offer rebates and brands refresh their lines. Last year's model is usually the better buy because the hardware rarely changes even when the software gets a minor tweak. A solid two-zone package usually runs about $350.

The 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers is a deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance when those 15 months are up, the standard interest rate will kick in on whatever is left.

The steps

  1. 01

    Wait for the rebate cycle

    Local utilities often give cash back to get these into homes before winter. Check their website for a list of approved models that qualify for a local discount.

  2. 02

    Pick a bundle with sensors

    You need these to balance the heat between two floors. Without them, one zone stays freezing while the other overshoots the target temperature.

  3. 03

    Use your 15-month window

    Use the Discover it® Cash Back (Discover) for the purchase. It has a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, so you can pay $23.33 a month to clear the $350 total.

  4. 04

    Dial in your schedule

    Spend ten minutes in the app to tell the system when you leave for work. It stops saving you money the second you start heating an empty house.

  5. 05

    Do the install yourself

    Most systems use a C-wire, which is a wire that provides constant power. If you have one, the swap takes twenty minutes with a screwdriver.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Is a smart thermostat worth it?

Yes, if you use the scheduling features. It typically pays for itself in two years through lower energy bills.

Do I need a pro for two zones?

Not usually. If your current thermostats are already wired, you are just swapping the wall units and pairing the wireless sensors.

What is a C-wire?

It is the wire that provides constant power to your thermostat. Check your current setup before buying to see if you need a power adapter kit.

Will the rebate be instant?

It depends on the utility. Some give you a discount code for their own store, while others make you mail in a receipt for a check.