Our Methodology

Energy Savings Estimates

Throughout our site, we cite energy savings ranges for smart thermostats — typically 8-23% on heating and cooling costs. This range comes from multiple independent sources, each using different methodologies:

Program Data

Information about the utility-funded smart thermostat program — including eligibility requirements and program procedures — is sourced from:

• •Publicly available utility program documentation and application materials
• •PUCT (Public Utility Commission of Texas) filings and energy efficiency program reports
• •Our direct experience submitting and managing applications through the program

Program details are verified against current documentation on a monthly basis. When the utility modifies program terms, we update our content as soon as we become aware of the changes. However, official program documentation always takes precedence over any information presented on our site.

Renter Preference Statistics

We cite statistics about renter preferences for smart home technology, particularly the figure that 72% of renters want smart thermostats. This data comes from the NMHC (National Multifamily Housing Council) and Grace Hill Renter Preferences Survey — the largest annual survey of apartment renter preferences in the United States.

The survey methodology includes responses from tens of thousands of apartment renters across the country. While this is a national survey (not Texas-specific), it represents the most comprehensive and widely cited data source in the multifamily industry for renter preferences. We note the survey year when citing this data.

Property Value and ROI Claims

When we discuss the impact of smart thermostats on property value, we base our claims on:

• •Direct amenity value: Smart thermostats are a tangible in-unit amenity that can be listed in marketing materials and leasing tours. Industry data shows that smart-home-ready units command premium rents in competitive markets.
• •Tenant retention: Lower utility costs and modern amenities contribute to tenant satisfaction, which reduces turnover. The National Apartment Association estimates that turning over a single apartment unit costs $1,000-$5,000 in lost rent, cleaning, repairs, and marketing.
• •NOI impact: Because the upgrade is free, any increase in achievable rent or decrease in vacancy directly improves Net Operating Income. Using standard capitalization rate calculations, even modest per-unit rent increases compound into meaningful property value gains.

We present these as potential benefits and contributing factors — not as guaranteed outcomes. Actual property value impact depends on local market conditions, current rent levels, property class, and many other variables.

Data Validation Approach

Our data validation process follows these principles:

1. 1.Primary source verification:Every statistic is traced to its original source. We do not cite secondary reporting or “according to studies” without identifying the specific study.
2. 2.Cross-referencing: Where possible, we validate claims against multiple independent sources. The 8-23% energy savings range is an example — it reflects data from four independent sources that corroborate each other.
3. 3.Recency: We prioritize the most recent data available and include publication dates or survey years when citing statistics.
4. 4.Methodology transparency: When a source has known limitations (e.g., manufacturer-funded studies, national vs. regional data), we note those caveats.
5. 5.Conservative defaults: When summarizing a data range into a single figure, we default to the conservative end unless otherwise noted.

Limitations and Disclaimers

We are transparent about the limitations of the data we present:

• •Individual results vary:Energy savings depend on tenant behavior, local climate, HVAC system efficiency, building insulation, electricity rates, and many other factors. Published averages may not reflect any individual unit's experience.
• •Texas-specific conditions: Texas has a cooling-dominant climate, which means cooling savings are more relevant than heating savings for most of the year. Studies conducted in other regions may not fully apply to Texas properties.
• •Multifamily vs. single-family: Most published energy savings studies focus on single-family homes. Multifamily units tend to be smaller and may have different insulation characteristics, which could affect savings percentages compared to published averages.
• •Manufacturer-funded research: Some savings data comes from studies commissioned by thermostat manufacturers. While these studies were conducted or validated by independent researchers, the funding source is a relevant consideration.
• •Program changes: The utility may modify program terms at any time. While we update our content regularly, there may be a delay between program changes and our content reflecting those changes.
• •Our commercial interest: As disclosed on our disclosure page, we have a financial interest in property owners using our service. We work to ensure this interest does not bias our data presentation, but readers should be aware of this relationship.

Questions About Our Data

If you have questions about any statistic, data point, or claim on our website, we welcome the inquiry. Please contact us through our contact page and we will provide the source documentation for any claim you'd like to verify. Our editorial policy page provides additional detail on how content is created and reviewed.