Smart Thermostats: A Buyer's Guide

Understanding Smart Thermostats: An Overview

Smart thermostats have revolutionized home climate control, offering convenience, energy savings, and advanced features that traditional thermostats simply can't match. These devices connect to your home's Wi-Fi network, allowing you to control your heating and cooling system from anywhere using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. But with so many options available, choosing the right smart thermostat can be overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the key considerations to help you make an informed decision.

Smart thermostats learn your preferences and automatically adjust settings based on occupancy, indoor and outdoor temperature. They can also provide valuable insights into your energy usage, helping you identify areas where you can save money. According to Natural Resources Canada, smart thermostats can help you save about eight percent on your yearly home energy costs for heating and cooling. [2]

Key Features to Consider

When selecting a smart thermostat, several features can significantly impact your experience and energy savings. Here are some of the most important:

Learning Capabilities

Learning thermostats, like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, observe your temperature preferences over time and automatically create a schedule that optimizes comfort and energy efficiency. [5] This eliminates the need for manual programming and ensures that your home is always at the right temperature, even as your schedule changes.

Example: The Nest Learning Thermostat learns when you like it warmer and colder, as well as updates you on your energy usage to make sure surprise energy bills are a thing of the past. It adapts to your specific tastes, programming itself to make you more comfortable as time goes on [23].

Geofencing

Geofencing uses your smartphone's location to determine when you're home or away. When you leave a designated area (the "geofence"), the thermostat automatically adjusts to an energy-saving mode. When you return, it restores your preferred settings. [5, 7] This feature is particularly useful for people with unpredictable schedules.

Example: With geofencing, your smart thermostat knows when you're on the way home and automatically adjusts your home's temperature to your liking [5]. Sensi thermostats can automatically control the temperature based on your location. When you travel 3 miles away from your home the Sensi app will signal for your thermostat to change set points and save energy [21].

Remote Temperature Sensors

Remote sensors allow you to monitor and regulate the temperature in different rooms, ensuring consistent comfort throughout your home. [2] This is especially helpful in homes with uneven heating or cooling, or in rooms that are far from the thermostat.

Example: Place smart sensors in multiple rooms to balance temperature and humidity of the entire home. The thermostat will work to create an average temperature that's comfortable throughout all areas of your home [15].

Tip: Consider purchasing additional sensors if you have rooms that tend to be colder or warmer than others.

Smart Home Integration

Many smart thermostats integrate with other smart home devices and platforms, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. [3] This allows you to control your thermostat using voice commands, create automated routines, and manage all your smart devices from a single app.

Example: Connect your smart thermostat to your smart home system to control all your smart devices from one app, including your doorbell, lighting, speakers, smart ceiling fans and more [2].

Tip: Choose a thermostat that is compatible with your existing smart home ecosystem for seamless integration.

Energy Monitoring and Reporting

Smart thermostats provide detailed reports on your energy usage, allowing you to track your savings and identify opportunities to further reduce your energy consumption. [25] Some thermostats also offer personalized recommendations based on your usage patterns.

Example: Use insight reports to better understand how you're using energy and how to save it [2].

Tip: Regularly review your energy reports to identify trends and adjust your thermostat settings accordingly.

Installation and Compatibility

Before purchasing a smart thermostat, it's crucial to ensure that it's compatible with your home's HVAC system and that you have the necessary wiring. Here are some key considerations:

HVAC System Compatibility

Not all smart thermostats work with every type of HVAC system. Some models may not support zoned systems, heat pumps, or electric baseboard heating. [28, 9] Check the manufacturer's website or consult with an HVAC professional to verify compatibility.

Actionable Advice: Before purchasing a particular brand of smart thermostat, research its compatibility with different types of HVAC systems [9]. Some manufacturers provide online compatibility checkers to help determine if a smart thermostat will work with your HVAC system [9].

C-Wire Requirement

Many smart thermostats require a common wire (C-wire) for continuous power. [2] If your existing thermostat doesn't have a C-wire, you may need to install one or use a C-wire adapter. However, not every smart thermostat model requires a C-wire, and some smart thermostat models may include power adapters or extenders that let you add a C-wire to your system [2].

Note: Ignoring the C-Wire: Some smart thermostats require a common wire (C-Wire) for continuous power. If your system doesn't have one, you may need an adapter or professional installation [9].

DIY vs. Professional Installation

Most smart thermostats are designed for easy DIY installation, but if you're not comfortable working with electrical wiring, it's best to hire a professional. [2, 30] Professional installation ensures that the thermostat is properly connected and configured, and it can also help you avoid potential safety hazards.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Turn off the breakers. This is a really important step for your safety [19].
2. Remove the faceplate from your currently installed thermostat [19].
3. Snap a photo of the wires on the wall [19].
4. Remove the wires and baseplate [19].
5. Install the new baseplate [19].
6. Attach the wires—reference the picture you took in Step 3 [19].
7. Attach the smart thermostat [19].
8. Flip the breakers back on and make sure your smart thermostat has power [19].
9. Set up your new thermostat by connecting it to your Wi-Fi network [19].
10. Over the next couple of days, adjust the temperature to match your schedule [19].

Top Smart Thermostat Brands and Models

Several brands offer excellent smart thermostats with a variety of features and price points. Here are some of the top contenders:

• Google Nest Learning Thermostat: Known for its learning capabilities, sleek design, and integration with other Nest devices. [1, 26, 40]
• Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium: Offers advanced features like remote sensors, voice control, and air quality monitoring. [1, 15, 16, 26]
• Honeywell Home T9: Features smart room sensors for whole-home comfort and is compatible with a wide range of HVAC systems. [1, 15, 26]
• Emerson Sensi Touch: A budget-friendly option that offers essential smart features and is easy to install. [1, 15, 40]
• Amazon Smart Thermostat: An affordable option that integrates seamlessly with Alexa. [1]

Energy Savings and Cost Considerations

One of the primary benefits of smart thermostats is their potential to save energy and reduce your heating and cooling costs. Smart thermostats optimize heating and cooling based on occupancy patterns and weather conditions, which can help lead to energy savings and reduced heating and cooling energy costs [3].

The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates [6]. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be [6].

A smart programable thermostat can help you save on your annual heating and cooling energy costs, and track energy use for a better understanding of how much you spend [3].

Tip: Look for an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat to ensure that it meets strict energy efficiency guidelines. [5]

Cost: Most smart thermostats cost between £100 and £200, but some will have add-ons such as installation which push the cost up [13].

Conclusion: Making the Smart Choice

Choosing the right smart thermostat can significantly improve your home's comfort, energy efficiency, and convenience. By considering your HVAC system, desired features, and budget, you can find a smart thermostat that meets your needs and helps you save money on your energy bills. Take the time to research your options, read reviews, and compare features to make an informed decision.

Next Steps:

• Assess your HVAC system's compatibility with different smart thermostats.
• Determine which features are most important to you (e.g., learning capabilities, geofencing, remote sensors).
• Compare prices and read reviews of different smart thermostat models.
• Consider whether you need professional installation or can handle it yourself.
• Take advantage of any rebates or incentives offered by your utility company or local government.