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Thermostats are not what they used to be. There have been significant modifications over the years. Before the inception of the smart thermostat in 2007, thermostats were of just two types: Manual and programmable thermostats. Manual thermostats are the simplest and the easiest to use. While the programmable ones are slightly more advanced.
We have a lot of smart thermostats in the tech market today, getting the best smart home thermostat should be a priority for every homeowner. The bulk of energy consumption in different homes is consumed by air conditioning and space heating systems. To prevent excess energy consumption, it is highly crucial to get a smart home thermostat.
You may be wondering about how to get the best smart home thermostat among all the several types we have. Here’s the deal: we have our top pick for smart home thermostats and some other great products that you’d definitely like.
Our team did a lot of analysis and we found the Ecobee smart thermostat to be the all around best smart thermostat on the market today. This product is the true definition of a smart thermostat. The feature that sets It apart from others is the ability to seamlessly learn and adapt to your home. It can be placed where ever you would like in your home.
The second best product is the Google Nest learning smart thermostat. One of the standout features of this product is the ability to detect extreme temperatures and humidity in your home. When it detects abnormal temperatures, you receive an alert on your mobile device.
In this article, we are going to give you detailed descriptions of the best smart home thermostats that are available for purchase and how you can install them on your own without paying a dime.
Quick Summary
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Our #1 Choice
Ecobee smart thermostat |
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Check on Amazon |
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Google Nest learning smart thermostat |
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Check on Amazon |
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Emerson smart thermostat |
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Check on Amazon |
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Honeywell T10 Pro thermostat |
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Check on Amazon |
CONTENTS:
- Before you buy: 4 things you have to consider before buying a smart home thermostat
- The 4 best smart home thermostats
- Save some extra cash: step by step guide on how to install a smart thermostat on your own
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Factors we evaluated before choosing the selected products
- Conclusion
Before you buy: 4 things you have to consider before buying a smart home thermostat
There are some important things you should consider before buying a smart home thermostat. You don’t want to end up regretting your purchase on an expensive product that won’t offer value for its price. These are the things you should consider:
- Power
- Non-Wifi Vs. Wifi-enabled thermostat
- Design
- Geo-fencing capabilities
Power
Before buying a home thermostat, the power voltage and compatibility with your HVAC system should be checked. If the smart thermostat is not compatible with your HVAC system, it would be rendered useless. Smart thermostats are quite different; they have different power requirements.
The common ones have to operate with millivolts which are; 24V, 110V, and the highest being 240V. We found out that low voltage smart thermostats are quite excellent for air conditioners and boilers. While high voltage ones operate best with baseboard systems. When it comes to space heating, millivolt smart thermostats are simply the best.
Non-Wifi Vs. Wifi-enabled thermostat
If you are planning to buy a smart home thermostat, consider the type of thermostat you’d be buying. The smart home thermostat is broadly divided into two: wifi-enabled and non-wifi enabled.
We observed that thermostats with wifi capability are more expensive than the ones without wifi. Wifi-enabled thermostats put you in control. You can control the thermostat remotely with your mobile devices. There downside, is that if your internet is down, then so is your ability to control the thermostat.
Design
There are different types of designs for smart thermostats. There are some with a catchy LED light display, you can easily see the readings from far off. Some smart thermostats are designed to send an alert to your mobile device when there is a need to replace the air conditioner filter.
We also have smart thermostats designed with voice control. You don’t have to get up from your seat to effect the appropriate changes. All that is needed is your voice! Put this into good consideration before buying the next thermostat.
Geo-fencing capability
Currently, we have smart thermostats that can study and learn about you to determine the most effective way to regulate energy consumption. They are built with a tracker that tracks your pattern of movement.
When you’re not at home, it has been programmed to automatically switch back power saving mode to conserve energy. We have some smart thermostats that let you set up a boundary, when you’re within the boundary, it switches to the appropriate mode.
The 4 best smart home thermostats
1. Ecobee smart thermostat
This product is our favorite smart home thermostat due to many reasons. As its name suggests, it is eco-friendly and it helps regulate your energy consumption. The color for this product is black, it has no other color variations. The weight item is 1.8 pounds, while the length, width, and height are 4.29 × 4.29 × 1 inches respectively.
The smart sensor can be placed anywhere in your home to keep it at optimal level temperature. For example, you can decide to place it in your bedroom or your child’s room. This product also has a way of detecting your presence at home. When it detects your presence, it would automatically adjust the temperature for your comfort.
This thermostat has been certified by ENERGY STAR to comply with the highest standards of energy conservation. You can travel with ease without worrying about energy usage in your home. All you have to do is to put it on vacation mode. The smart thermostat can be remotely controlled from anywhere there is internet access.
Pros
- It heats and cools automatically when electricity is cheaper and cleaner.
- Adjusts for comfort in extreme temperatures.
- It learns about your daily routine and makes relevant recommendations.
Cons
- It doesn’t support variable speed fans
- The interface is not so great.
Bottom line
This smart thermostat is quite expensive, it offers value for money. It’s one of the best in the tech market. The fact it can adapt to your daily routine makes it a great thermostat to have. We are not quite impressed with the interface. It’s relatively expensive, but it’s a great thermostat to have at home.
2. Google Nest learning smart thermostat
This thermostat comes in a variety of types. The types are stainless steel, polished steel, white, brass, and copper. You can choose any type to suit your preference. This product can learn the temperatures you like and programs itself accordingly.
It is Wifi enabled, you can connect it to your mobile phone or laptop to change the temperature. When you choose a temperature that is energy saving, a leaf appears on the thermostat. This feature guides you in the right direction and enables you to save more energy.
It has a home and away assists feature, when the house is empty with no occupants, this thermostat automatically shuts down itself. If the thermostat is newly installed, it learns about your home. The thermostat keeps an eye on the weather to offer you the best temperature.
It is also very easy to install for the very first time. Everything can be installed in 30 mins or less. This product is compatible with almost every heating and cooling system.
Pros
- Auto schedule: it learns your temperature preference and programs itself.
- Energy history feature: you can check the amount of energy used on your mobile device. Energy usage analysis can be checked.
- Farsight: when this thermostat spots you across the room where it’s placed, it lights up to reveal the time, temperature, and weather.
Cons
- Tech support for this product is not so great.
Bottom line
It’s a great thermostat to have. It is very easy to use. You could sit on your bed and control the whole temperature of your home. It’s easy to install, there is no need to hire an expert for installation. The product is an upgrade over previous Nest thermostats. It is quite expensive, it offers great value for money spent.
3. Emerson smart thermostat
This product comes in two colors; black and white. This thermostat makes comfort control easier with features that are adaptable to the lifestyle you choose. The weight item is 1 pound, while the length, width, and height are 3.4 × 5.63 × 1.17 inches respectively.
The interface is easy to use, it gives you complete control of home comfort with a single tap from your home or across the country. It has a smart alert feature, the thermostat detects extreme levels of temperature and humidity.
This smart thermostat is designed with an auto-upgrade software system. The thermostat detects when there is newly available software. Detecting this, it upgrades itself automatically. The thermostat’s software is always kept up to date.
The color shift feature enables you to know at a glance if the HVAC system is cooling or heating. The app and thermostat change color to let you know this. The back glow feature also allows you to easily observe these changes at night or in low lighting.
Pros
- Touch screen display: the user interface is friendly to use. With a single tap, you can make the needed changes.
- Works with Alexa and Google assistant.
- 3-year warranty, 30 days satisfaction guarantee.
Cons
- It has a weak geofencing capability.
Bottom line
Emerson smart thermostat is an amazing modern thermostat, ain’t too expensive and it’s very easy to program. It is quite easy to integrate with Amazon echo. All you have to do is to give a voice command, this smart thermostat would simply obey your command. Apart from the weak geo-fencing capability, our team highly recommends this product.
4. Honeywell T10 Pro thermostat
This modern smart thermostat has no variety of colors. The only available is white. The weight of the item is 0.6 pounds. while the length, width, and height are 6.2 × 5.8 × 3.1 inches respectively.
This thermostat functions with smart room sensors to help regulate the temperature and humidity from any location. You might be on your bed or across the country and still control the temperature of your room. The smart sensors can be placed where you need to observe each room’s temperature.
The multi-room display on the thermostat can be activated on the touchscreen or via the Honeywell Home app to concentrate on rooms that are occupied or to focus on a particular schedule chosen.
When you decide to focus on multiple rooms, the thermostat tries to create an average temperature to equalize the temperature in your home. The thermostat sends an alert when the temperatures in your home rise beyond or fall below your cherished threshold.
Pros
- Multi-room focus: multiple room temperatures can be regulated all at once with the use of smart sensors. You can prioritize comfort in different rooms at different times.
- Smart sensors and alerts: you get an alert on your mobile device when there are extreme temperatures and when the air filter needs to be changed.
- It controls humidification: the thermostat improves air quality and it helps your home heating and cooling system run smoothly.
Cons
- Buggy thermostat’s app
Bottom line
This is a nice thermostat to have if you’re planning on buying one very soon. It has every feature of a smart thermostat. We carefully read all the reviews for this product, there were just a few complaints about it. It’s relatively cheap and helps you save more energy. This product is highly recommended.
Save some extra cash: step by step guide on how to install a smart thermostat on your own
Installing a smart thermostat by yourself is not rocket science. All you have to do is to pay attention to some set of instructions and you’re good to go! If you hire an expert to install it, the service charge would need to be paid. You can save some money by doing it yourself. We’ll explain step by step how to install a smart thermostat. Adhere to the following steps:
Turn off your HVAC system
Before installing a new thermostat, it is highly recommended you turn off the whole HVAC system at the circuit breaker. You should do this either you’re replacing an old thermostat or installing it for the very first time.
Shutting down the HVAC system would prevent the likelihood of electric shock from happening. Some thermostats are battery-powered, don’t be surprised if a thermostat is still on after shutting down the HVAC system at the breaker panel.
It is often safe to adhere to the instructions or guidelines given by the manufacturer. Always remember to turn off the current flow at the power source before moving on to the next step.
Pop off the faceplate
If there’s an old thermostat you want to replace, there is a need to pop off the faceplate of the old thermostat to gain access to the wires and the backplate. Try to hit the faceplate, it should pop off immediately after hitting it.
After hitting the faceplate, if it doesn’t come off, don’t start banging or hitting too hard. You might need the service of a technician to remove the faceplate.
Before totally dismantling the former thermostat, it is often beneficial to take a picture of the configuration of wires of the old thermostat and save it on your smartphone. This would serve as a guide when installing the new one.
Remove the backplate
You’ve successfully popped the faceplate, the next step is to detach the wires from the backplate, be careful while doing this. To detach these wires, there may be a need to loosen some screws.
For the backplate to be withdrawn, hold the backplate against the wall and loosen the screws.
Add a C-Wire
Adding a C-Wire is optional. If your thermostat has a C-Wire already in place, this step is not for you. If it doesn’t, you need a C-Wire to power the thermostat. Another good option is to get an external adapter that would serve as a C-Wire.
Make use of the new backplate as a template
The backplate of a thermostat attaches directly to the wall. Use the backplate as leverage, hold the backplate of the new thermostat against the wall, and then use a pencil to trace the hole, thereby making a drilling mark on the wall.
Before finally screwing the backplate to the wall, ensure that the wires have gone through the backplate.
Attach the wires
After holding the backplate against the wall using screws, the next thing is to attach the wires to their respective terminals. If you’re confused about how to attach the wires to terminals, refer to the photo of the backplate in step two to guide you.
Install the new faceplate
After attaching the necessary wires, take the faceplate of the new thermostat and gently cover the backplate with it. Don’t apply force if it’s not fitting the backplate, wires might be preventing it from doing so.
Retract the obstructing wires backward and cover the backplate with the faceplate once more. After this, restore power to the HVAC system, and watch your smart thermostat come on!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a smart thermostat differ from a standard thermostat?
A smart thermostat is different from a standard thermostat. A smart thermostat employs the use of sensors and WiFi to regulate the HVAC system. If WiFi is connected to a smart thermostat, you can remotely control the temperatures and humidity of your home.
What do I need for a smart thermostat?
For a smart thermostat to work, you need to make sure the thermostat is compatible with your HVAC system, house wiring system, and your best smart assistant; Google assistant, Alexa, and so on.
When should I replace my thermostat?
For you to know when to replace a thermostat, it is important to look out for some signs that may show that your thermostat is faulty. Signs to look out for are: HVAC systems keep turning on and off, inaccurate readings, extremely high energy bills, and consistently high energy bills. If you notice any of these things, your thermostat may need changing.
Can smart thermostats be hacked?
Yes, it is possible. Smart thermostats can be hacked by criminals. Since smart thermostats reveal a lot about your movement and habits, criminals often find this private information useful for their nefarious activities. A smart way to guard against this is to make sure your thermostat is directly connected to the internet, against banking on a Wifi connection. Additionally, make sure your thermostat is truly compatible with other devices you own.
Factors we evaluated before choosing the selected products
We took our time to carefully research each product before selecting it. Our team decided to focus our research, not on the reviews written by the manufacturers of these products, but on customers that had the first-time experience using the product.
We didn’t allow any emotions or any sort of attachment to influence our decisions. We wrote the reviews based on pure facts. Our team can vouch for the quality of these smart thermostats.
Another interesting fact is that for each smart thermostat we selected, a unique feature is peculiar to it. When selecting these products, we ensured a budget-friendly thermostat was also included. You don’t have to break the bank to buy a smart thermostat.
Conclusion
We all know that technology keeps improving, the manufacturers of smart thermostats are always looking for a way to improve their products. It is worth keeping an eye on the latest innovation as regards smart home thermostats.
The cost of living is skyrocketing in every part of the world, people, in general, are looking for ways to cut down on the usage of energy in various homes. Getting an ‘advanced’ smart thermostat might be the solution to this.
Do you currently have a smart thermostat at home? What brand do you have? What have been your experiences with it so far? We are eager to read about your experiences. Do well to share it with us in the comments section below.
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