There are many smart thermostats on the market that perform the same basic tasks. The most energy efficient way to set your thermostat. The most energy efficient way to set your thermostat. In the dead of winter and peak of summer, a question arises. At least once each season, how should you set your thermostat to maximize comfort and savings? Read More Having said that, “naughtiness” isn't the only thing to consider when choosing a thermostat system for your home.
Do you have a large two-story house or a small apartment? Do you plan to install the thermostat yourself or would you prefer to hire a professional? It is these types of questions that will determine what is the best solution for you.
In this article, we'll take a look at five of the best-selling smart thermostats and see how they differ in four important categories, including ease of use, features, compatibility, installation, and price/warranty.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is ideal for those who want to learn the whole concept of a smart home. This device is the one to buy if you like DIY projects and like the idea of machine learning. However, since Nest uses only one central device, it's not the best solution for someone with a large household.
Introduced in 2011, the Nest Learning Thermostat was one of the first smart home products. Save energy and money with these smart home devices Save energy and money with these smart home devices One of the biggest benefits of a smart home is the available energy saving technology. In addition to saving money, you'll also be pushing toward a more sustainable and convenient living situation. Read more on the market. Originally developed by Nest Labs, it is now owned by Alphabet Inc. Now in its third generation, Nest remains the most popular smart thermostat available.
Nest offers a variety of features 13 things you didn't know you could do with a Nest thermostat 13 things you didn't know you could do with a Nest thermostat You might be surprised at how many little tricks you can pull off with your new Nest thermostat! Read More, which includes:Home/Away Assist, which detects when you're not home; Leaf, which helps you save money on your energy costs; and Farsight, which lets you light up when someone is in the room so you can see the time, temperature, or weather.
You'll also find that Nest works with IFTTT, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and many more smart home devices and processes.
As a "self-learning" thermostat, Nest doesn't require much input from the user once it's connected to your home's Wi-Fi connection. During the first weeks Try Nest IFTTT recipes before you buy, with Nest Home Simulator Try Nest IFTTT recipes before you buy, with Nest Home Simulator Automating your home with products like the Nest Thermostat or the Nest Protect smoke detector is very ok, but no Wouldn't it be nice to try those automations without buying those devices first? Read More Nest will also use its built-in sensors and smartphone locators to determine if someone is home and then adjust the temperature accordingly.
Whether you're using the menus found in the actual Nest app or one of the free Nest apps, this process is relatively easy.
Nest has a website where you can determine if it's compatible with your system How to install and use your Nest thermostat to automate energy savings How to install and use your Nest thermostat to automate energy savings If you've ever considered getting started with home automation, buying a Nest thermostat is the perfect way to start. In just one week of use, we cut our power consumption in half. Read more . Remove the cover on your existing thermostat to see the type of wires in your home and enter this information on the site. If Nest needs more information, you'll need to send them a picture of your setup. Otherwise, you will receive a compatibility report within seconds. If you have additional questions, you can also chat online with a Nest representative.
Once you receive your Nest, return to the website to watch the company's installation video. Your Nest kit also comes with easy-to-follow instructions.
Do you prefer to have a professional do your installation? Call up a Nest Pro.
The $239 (£188/C$312) Nest Learning Thermostat is available in several styles to suit your home decor, including stainless steel, copper, black and white. It can control up to 20 thermostats per home, and it comes with a 2-year warranty.
While the Nest Learning Thermostat is well established, Honeywell International Inc.'s Lyost Round Wi-Fi Thermostat has recently upped its game. New features like Geofences, for example, bring it more in line with the market leader. With this in mind, if you're dedicated to Apple HomeKit, you can choose the Letter Round.
Lyrical Round has been gradually adding new features since it was first released. These include:Geofences, which you use to adjust temperatures when no one is home; Fine Tune, which adjusts the temperature according to the humidity in the room; and Smart Cues, which serve as notifications and status updates on your HVAC system.
The second generation of Lyric Round is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings.
Lyric Round is not a learning thermostat, which means it works as expected right out of the box. Use the device or app to set your preferences, decide which users will receive alerts, and adjust your conveniences based on your lifestyle.
This thermostat is one of the easiest to use thanks to its graphical interface. If you get stuck, Honeywell's YouTube channel includes several how-to video uploads.
The Lyric Round Thermostat Second Edition works with standard 24V systems such as forced air, hydronic, heat pump, oil, gas and electric. However, it does not work with electric baseboard heating. For more information on compatibility and installation, see Honeywell's online videos and the Lyric Thermostat app for iOS or Android.
The Lyric Round (C$184) is priced at $249 with a two-year warranty, and you can often find sales starting at $199 online.
Allowing you to connect up to 32 sensors at once, the Ecobee Smarter Thermostat is a great option for those with larger or multi-level homes. It stands out for its remote temperature and motion sensors, which allow you to monitor and change temperatures in different rooms on the same system.
Ecobee3 features include:Data Monitoring, which can help you adjust to your preferred temperature; a four-day weather forecast, so you know what to expect; Follow Me, which uses room sensors to know which room you're in and automatically adjusts to your preferred temperature; Thermal protection, which keeps your home comfortable even when unplugged; and Home IQ, which provides your energy usage and savings estimates.
The thermostat includes support for Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, and more.
The Ecobee3 offers an intuitive app or simple touch interface. The device uses a weather forecast feature to adjust its heating and cooling settings automatically.
Unlike Nest, Ecobee3 doesn't "learn" from its patterns. In other words, you won't be keeping track of when you leave your home each day. Instead, it uses sensors to adjust temperatures in real time based on occupancy.
Like Nest, Ecobee offers a compatibility tool on its website. If it can't determine compatibility based on your thermostat's wiring, it will ask for a picture of your setup. You can also email Ecobee if you have any further questions.
Video guides provide installation instructions for when you receive your unit. These are accessible online or through the free Ecobee app for iOS or Android. Both online installation support and certified professionals are available if you need additional help with installation.
The Ecobee3 (C$294) is available for $249 and includes a three-year warranty. If you want to get into the Ecobee system for less, consider the Ecobee3 Lite for $169.
If you're building a new home and prefer not to mess with learning thermostats, consider the Venstar ColorTouch. It takes a no-nonsense approach to heating and cooling, and is available in several models, including three for home use and three for commercial use.
The ColorTouch doesn't bring as much to the table as the other products on our list. Think of it as a programming tool with some advanced features built in.
Although its features are limited, Venstar offers the most attractive thermostat on the list. Includes user-configurable themes and wallpapers, plus the ability to display photos when the thermostat is in screen saver mode.
The Venstar thermostat uses a touch screen interface to access a calendar based scheduling system. To use the system through a smart device, you will need to install an option card to get the unit online. When you do, you can access the information through the free Skyport Mobile app for iOS and Android.
Venstar sells its systems through an approved list of installers, so learning more about compatibility is very difficult. Your best option is to visit a Venstar dealer for more information on compatibility and installation.
The Venstar is $184 and comes with a one-year warranty. Be sure to purchase a Venstar with Wi-Fi included if you want to use the Skyport mobile app.
Honeywell's Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat is ideal for new home builders or those who want to make an existing home smart, but not too smart. Due to its scheduling feature, it's also a great option for frequent travelers or those with a secondary home.
If you appreciate the Honeywell name, but prefer not to go down the Lyrical Round route, this is the thermostat to consider.
Like the VenStar, the main function of the Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat is to allow you to program a series of preset programs to help you save money on your energy costs. You can also control the thermostat via the touch screen and change the background color to match your paint color or personal preference. The thermostat is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit.
The Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat features an easy-to-use touch interface, which can also be accessed from iOS and Android devices.
The Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat works with most low-voltage systems, but please note that it will not work with electric baseboard heaters. Honeywell offers a compatibility guide online, which you should review before making a purchase. The company also provides online instructions and manuals for installation.
You can buy a Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat (C$199) for around $200, which includes a one-year warranty.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is still the product to beat when it comes to smart heating and cooling. If you are looking for an all-in-one solution that takes your ins and outs into account, this is the solution for you. That said, Lyric Round continues to improve with each new software release, and it comes from Honeywell, which is a big plus for many users.
Ecobee3 offers many of the features found Ecobee3 vs. Nest Thermostat:A Head-to-Head Comparison Ecobee3 vs. Nest Thermostat:A Head-to-Head Comparison Did you know that a smart thermostat can increase the value of your home? It's one of the many reasons why a smart thermostat is worth the initial investment. But which one should you get? Read more about the nest and the lyrical round. It's a great option for people with larger homes where multiple sensors are needed.
Finally, think of both the Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat and the VenStar ColorTouch Wi-Fi Thermostat as primarily manual solutions with a few smart tools built in. These are for people looking for the ability to set the temperature in their homes from afar on a daily basis and little else.
Which smart home heating and cooling system are you using? Why is it a better fit for your lifestyle? Let us know using the comments below.
