It seems like our homes are getting smarter every day, what with lighting, security alarms, and all manner of electronics offering remote monitoring and control via mobile apps. It’s only a hop, skip, and jump to moving walkways that transport us through our homes and robot maids that offer up acerbic commentary on our daily lives.
Until then, you may just want to install a smart thermostat that helps to maintain a comfortable interior temperature and keep your heating and cooling costs to a minimum. Many thermostats are now equipped to integrate with other smart home systems, as well. Here are a few of the best smart thermostats to add to your home today.
3rd Generation Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Nest was among the earliest high-performance smart thermostats on the market, and their reputation has not waned with subsequent iterations. With the learning thermostat, you no longer have to fuss with manual programming.
This ENERGY STAR certified model learns as you use it, automatically adjusting to your habits after just a few days. With the energy you’ll save (roughly 10-15% on heating and cooling costs), your purchase could pay for itself in under two years. Check your Energy History in your monthly Home Report to monitor energy use patterns and also choose from several ring colors to suit your home décor.
Ecobee SmartThermostat With Voice Control
Enhanced comfort and energy savings are just the tip of the iceberg when you choose this sleek, smart, ENERGY STAR certified thermostat. The brilliant design relies on smart sensors that you can place in any room. They detect occupancy to prioritize comfort in the rooms you use most, balancing home temps and managing hot and cold spots.
With the voice control model, you’ll also enjoy built-in Alexa technology, so you can control the device by voice and even connect to Bluetooth speakers, play music, and make calls or message friends. Upgrade to eco+ software for free and let Ecobee learn your routine and recommend energy-saving changes.
Google Nest Thermostat E
Another offering from the Nest line, this unobtrusive, frosted disc is designed to blend into the background and save you money. Easy to install and compatible with a wide range of heating and cooling systems, this smart thermostat uses your phone’s location to adjust the temperature when you’re away, for your convenience.
The rest of the time, you can use the app to adjust your temperature as you see fit or set a schedule. Add optional Nest sensors throughout the house to prioritize heating and cooling.
Johnson Controls GLAS Smart Thermostat
If this model looks a bit more high tech than others, that’s because it is. The translucent OLED touchscreen makes adjustment a breeze, and you’ll appreciate features like smart scheduling and the integrated occupancy sensor. Or you can use the mobile app for convenient remote control. It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can even use voice controls.
It also monitors and reports on indoor and outdoor air quality, the Air Pollution Index (API), humidity, and levels of CO?, VOCs, and allergens like pollen. Works with a variety of gas, electric, oil, radiant, and forced air HVAC systems.
Emerson Sensi Smart Thermostat
From a purely aesthetic perspective, this low-profile unit offers a sleek, minimalist design that is sized to cover the area a previous thermostat occupied, so you don’t have to worry about patching and/or painting your wall. It’s a small detail, but an important one for many busy homeowners. You’ll also appreciate backlighting that’s perfect for low light settings or nighttime.
As for function, you’ll enjoy flexible scheduling, remote access via an intuitive app, usage reports, and alerts for extreme temperature or humidity changes. Best of all, this smart thermostat works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and SmartThings.
Honeywell Home T5+ Smart Thermostat
Honeywell has been a household name in thermostats since long before smart home systems existed, and their longevity could be linked to their ability to change with the times. Case in point, the T5+ Smart Thermostat, an affordable and easy to install model that you can program based on your schedule with the Honeywell Home App, which integrates with other systems like security and water leak detection.
You can also choose to let the thermostat adjust automatically using geofencing technology that knows when you’re coming and going and adapts for conservation or comfort accordingly.
Rheem EcoNet Smart Thermostat
If you already use other Rheem smart home technologies, like heating, cooling, and water heating systems, you’ll enjoy full integration with this Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, which can be used to control all of them. Compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant opens the door to easy voice control, or you can simply use the app on your mobile device to issue commands.
It tracks local weather forecasts to help you plan, averages temperatures between rooms for optimal comfort, and alerts you when it’s time to replace filters, schedule maintenance, and more.
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