- HEP Heat and Air
- Smart Temperature Control

Smart Temperature Control
Smart Temperature Control | Thermostat Upgrades | Heating and Air Conditioning | McMinnville
Experience a new level of comfort in McMinnville with HEP’s smart temperature control solutions. Our thermostat upgrades seamlessly learn your daily routine, fine-tune heating and cooling on the fly, and let you adjust everything from your phone—whether you’re downtown, on the vineyard trail, or relaxing at home. By making real-time decisions based on occupancy and local weather, they cut wasted energy and can shave up to 20% off utility bills, all while keeping every room at the perfect feel-good setting.
Best of all, you don’t have to lift a finger. HEP’s certified technicians handle the entire installation, integrate your new smart thermostat with existing HVAC equipment, and walk you through the easy-to-use app and voice controls before we leave. Ready to enjoy precision comfort, lower costs, and a greener footprint? Schedule your thermostat upgrades visit today and let HEP bring intelligent climate control to your McMinnville home.
FAQs
How does a smart thermostat improve comfort and efficiency in McMinnville’s climate?
McMinnville experiences cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers, so your HVAC system has to handle a wide range of conditions. A smart thermostat uses onboard sensors, local weather data, and learning algorithms to automatically adjust temperature set-points as outdoor conditions change. It can pre-heat on chilly, damp winter mornings, minimize run time during mild spring and fall days, and precool in the evening before a summer heatwave hits. Geofencing and occupancy sensing prevent heating or cooling an empty home, while humidity tracking helps reduce that clammy feeling typical of the Willamette Valley’s rainy season. The result is steadier comfort and energy savings without constant manual adjustments.
Will a smart thermostat work with my existing furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner?
Most modern smart thermostats are designed for 24-volt (low-voltage) HVAC equipment, which includes the vast majority of gas furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps installed in McMinnville homes. They are typically compatible with single-stage, multi-stage, and variable-speed systems, as well as dual-fuel setups. The main requirement is a common (C) wire to supply continuous power; if your current wiring doesn’t include one, our technicians can usually add a C-wire adapter or pull a new conductor at the same visit. Before installation we perform a full compatibility check, confirm safe voltage levels, and verify any accessories (humidifiers, ERVs, etc.) will still operate correctly.
How much money can I expect to save by upgrading to a smart thermostat?
Savings vary with your lifestyle, equipment efficiency, and utility rates, but national studies from ENERGY STAR and the EPA show average reductions of 10–15 % on heating and cooling costs. For a typical McMinnville household that spends about $1,000–$1,200 per year on space conditioning, that translates to roughly $100–$180 in annual savings. Homes with inconsistent schedules, electric resistance heat, or heat pumps often see even larger percentage drops because setback schedules and adaptive controls deliver bigger paybacks. Most customers recoup the cost of the device and professional installation within two heating seasons.
Are there Oregon or local utility rebates for smart thermostat installations?
Yes. Energy Trust of Oregon currently offers a $100 incentive for qualifying Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostats when installed on an electric furnace, gas furnace, or heat pump by a participating trade ally (which we are). McMinnville Water & Light customers may be eligible for an additional $25–$50 bill credit, and PGE customers in outlying areas can claim similar rebates. We’ll handle all paperwork and provide the model numbers, invoices, and photos needed to secure your rebate, so the discount is applied automatically or arrives as a check within 6–8 weeks.
Can I control the thermostat remotely and connect it to other smart home devices?
Absolutely. All the models we install include a free iOS/Android app that lets you raise or lower the temperature, change modes, or view real-time energy reports from anywhere with an internet connection. They also integrate natively with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit for voice commands, and many support IFTTT automations (for example, turning off HVAC when a window sensor is open). If you have other smart devices—lights, security cameras, or whole-home monitoring systems—the thermostat can often act as a central hub, making it easier to coordinate scenes such as "Away," "Vacation," or "Movie Night."
What is included in professional smart thermostat installation and how long does it take?
A typical retrofit takes 60–90 minutes. Our technician will: • Shut off power to the HVAC equipment for safety. • Remove your existing thermostat and label all wires. • Add a C-wire or adapter if needed. • Mount and level the new thermostat base, protecting sheetrock with a trim plate where necessary. • Terminate and verify each wire, then restore power. • Connect the thermostat to your Wi-Fi network, download any firmware updates, and set up an initial schedule tailored to your routine. • Pair the device with your smartphone and demonstrate key features like geofencing, voice control, and energy reports. • Test heating, cooling, fan-only modes, and any accessories to confirm full functionality. • Provide you with a printed quick-start guide, warranty information, and our 24/7 support line.