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This upgraded ecobee has all the features you’ve come to love plus an air quality monitor for maximum home comfort.
One of its best features is the air quality monitor it comes with, and the information it can give you to improve your air quality if it’s poor. It can be installed in any home, with or without a C-wire, with the included installation materials.
Some found installation difficult, especially those without a C-wire.
You'll love the convenience of upgrading from a traditional to this easily programmable thermostat.
Easily upgrade your thermostat to this programmable model from Amazon that integrates with Alexa and your Ring camera system. Adjust the temperature of your home while you are away using the Alexa app.
Setup can be a little tricky for some users.
This smart thermostat is a little plain compared to other options on the market but it works like a charm.
Using it can save you as much as 23% on your AC costs each year. Its exterior mimics that of non-smart thermostats so it blends in better with a smart-limited home. Installing it is quick and easy. The LCD screen is easy to understand.
There's a light toggle on top of it, but it's hard to see and access.
The Google Nest is renowned for its ease of use and its cutting-edge features that will help you save money in the long run.
Offers a compelling combination of DIY friendliness, sophisticated design, easy-to-use features, and automatic energy-saving settings. The temperature can easily be controlled by either an app or the device itself. Easy to install.
One of the priciest models, but its high quality will end up saving you money in the long run.
You'll appreciate the ability to control your home temperature via an app with this smart thermostat.
It has an intuitive app to walk you through the installation process. You can also control the unit with the app after it is installed. Adding on Sensi room sensors helps balance the temperature throughout your home.
Programming the unit takes some time.
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Sometimes you wake up feeling a little chilly, so you turn the heat up a few degrees to make your morning routine a little more comfortable. Ten hours later, you return to a house that is stiflingly hot. That's money you literally burned away. With a smart thermostat, that would never happen again. But how do you know which one is right for you?
The best smart thermostats are not only capable of complex programming, but they also know when you are home at an uncharacteristic time and can adapt. A smart thermostat with an app that provides you with detailed power usage reports along with money-saving tips is highly desirable. You will need one that is compatible with your current heating and cooling system, is reliable, and fits in with your home decor.
If you're ready to save money on your energy bill, you can purchase one of our favorite options. However, if you want to make the most informed choice possible, read on.
What makes a thermostat smart? There’s no straightforward answer to that question because each model has different features. But smart thermostats offer several (and sometimes all) of the following benefits:
Complex temperature scheduling
Learning ability: knows when you leave and return, and/or can detect if you are home at an unusual time
Humidity sensors
Remote control via Wi-Fi
Monitoring and control from virtually anywhere via app for laptop, phone, or tablet
Touchscreen control
Voice recognition (requires additional device)
Email alerts
Detailed power consumption reports and money-saving suggestions
Integration with smart home systems
Smart thermostats offer tremendous convenience, particularly with the busy lives we lead today. However, there's more to choosing the best smart thermostat than just brains.
There are hundreds of heating and cooling systems, and that number is multiplied by possible combinations. Although smart thermostat makers try to cover all the bases, there's always a chance of incompatibility. It's vital that your chosen model works with your home’s existing equipment.
Every manufacturer claims their device is easy to install, with some offering online videos to help you. Many owners agree, saying that if you can wire a light switch, you have all the skills necessary.
However, if the power between your furnace and thermostat fluctuates—and there's a good chance it does—you'll probably suffer intermittent Wi-Fi failures. Many systems use a common wire, or “C-wire,” to ensure constant flow. If you don't currently have a C-wire, getting it fitted by an electrician can easily cost $150 or more. It’s important to find out what your current system has and what your smart thermostat needs.
Smart thermostats are an ideal addition to a smart home, giving you the ability to control an ever-expanding range of in-house appliances from almost anywhere. Wink Hub, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa/Echo, Vera, IFTTT, and SmartThings are just a few of the increasing number of such integrated networks.
If you're building a smart home, you'll want to investigate which smart thermostats are compatible with your network.
Modern electronics tend to be extremely reliable. We've looked at feedback from thousands of users and found few problems. There are complaints about Wi-Fi stability and a few about confusing instructions, but there are hardly any complaints about actual functionality.
Some people like a smart thermostat with a colorful touchscreen. Others prefer a less obtrusive look. Fortunately, the market offers a host of aesthetically pleasing options.
Do smart thermostats save you money? Yes. If you use the technology to its fullest, you will save money on your energy bills. Some manufacturers claim that amount can be over 20%. But there are a few provisos.
There's a learning curve for getting the best from your smart thermostat. It's all too easy to simply ensure your home is at the temperature you want and not take it any further.
To really make an impact, you need to look at the feedback the thermostat generates and be proactive.
It may be a while until your initial investment is returned. Many homes have more than one thermostat, and in most cases, they will need to be individually replaced. If you've got three thermostats now, you'll need three smart thermostats.
Though there are thermostats that provide multiple sensors, there are still initial costs involved.
If you're happy with your current “non-smart” system, do you still need to upgrade? Here are a few things to consider:
A smart thermostat will save you money over time.
Smart thermostats allow you to make your home comfortable any time of year. You can match your heating and cooling needs to your lifestyle with remarkable precision.
Depending on the system, you can change the settings from your armchair or from the other side of the world.
Less energy consumption is better for the environment.
As with traditional thermostats, smart versions should be installed away from drafts or hot spots that can give false readings.
Wi-Fi controls your smart thermostat when you're at home. If you want to control your thermostat from across town or across the world, you need a mobile app.
Though manufactures may say it isn't necessary, a C-wire is the most reliable solution.
Voice compatible smart thermostats still need another device, like Amazon Echo, for example.
If you're concerned about younger family members adjusting settings on your smart thermostat, look for a model with password or lock-out options.
Low-cost smart thermostats offer plenty of options if you're on a budget. But if you're creating a fully integrated home, look to the higher end.
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