A smart thermostat is a device that can be programmed to control the temperature of your home based on your preferences and schedule. It uses sensors to monitor the temperature and occupancy in your home, and can make adjustments automatically to optimize energy savings.
One common question that homeowners have when considering a smart thermostat is: "How much will it save me?" The answer to this question varies depending on several factors, including your current heating and cooling system, your energy usage habits, and the specific features of the smart thermostat you choose.
Smart thermostats are designed to help you save money on your energy bills by optimizing the heating and cooling of your home. They can do this in several ways:
- Temperature scheduling: Smart thermostats allow you to set different temperature schedules for different times of the day. This means you can automatically adjust the temperature when you're away from home or asleep, reducing the energy wasted on heating or cooling when it's not needed.
- Learning capabilities: Some smart thermostats have learning capabilities that adapt to your schedule and adjust the temperature accordingly. They can learn when you typically arrive home or go to bed, and make sure the temperature is comfortable when you need it.
- Remote access: Many smart thermostats come with smartphone apps that allow you to control the temperature of your home remotely. This means you can make adjustments on-the-go, ensuring that you're not wasting energy when you're not at home.
While the potential savings of a smart thermostat can vary, studies have shown that they can reduce heating and cooling costs by an average of 10-15%. In some cases, savings can be even higher, especially if you have inefficient heating and cooling systems or if you're currently using a manual thermostat with no programming capabilities.
To get a more accurate estimate of how much a smart thermostat can save you, it's recommended to use a savings calculator provided by the manufacturer or consult with a professional. They can take into account factors such as your local climate, energy rates, and the specific features of the smart thermostat to give you a more personalized estimate.
Overall, investing in a smart thermostat can potentially lead to significant energy savings and help you reduce your carbon footprint by optimizing your home's heating and cooling systems.
The Best Smart Thermostats for 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
ecobee New Smart Thermostat Enhanced - Programmable Wifi Thermostat - Works with Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant - Energy Star Certified - Smart Home
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Save up to 26% per year on heating and cooling costs. ENERGY STAR certified. Automatically adjusts the temperature when you’re away to never heat or cool an empty home. Compared to a hold of 72°F.
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Enjoy comfort without compromise. Smart Thermostat Enhanced preheats or precools your home before you arrive, so it’s the perfect temperature the moment you walk in. Automatically adjusts to your desired temperature when you’re home or sleeping to keep you comfortable day and night. Adjusts the temperature to account for humidity so your home always feels like the temperature you’ve set.
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Easy to install and use every day, ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced comes with everything you need for installation. Most people install it themselves in about 45 minutes or less. Use your smart home platform and the ecobee app to control your thermostat from anywhere with your smartphone, tablet, or Apple Watch.
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ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced is made with quality materials and designed to last on your wall for over a decade. It’s hardwired so you never have to worry about losing control or replacing batteries. If you run into problems, our dedicated support team is available 7 days a week.
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Add in a SmartSensor which allows you to measure the temperature in rooms that matter most, like the nursery or bedroom. It reads temperature and movement in whatever room it is placed in for complete home monitoring and energy savings (SmartSensor sold separately).
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Compatible with most 24VAC HVAC systems: furnaces, ACs (2H/2C), heat pumps (2H/2C + 2 stage AUX), boilers, PTACs, and fan coil units (3 fan speeds). Includes Power Extender Kit for C-Wire-less homes, ensuring easy installation.
2
Rating is 5 out of 5
Google Nest Learning Thermostat - Smart & Programmable for Home - 3rd Generation - Works with Alexa - Mirror Black
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Programmable smart thermostat that learns your schedule and the temperatures you like and programs itself to help you save energy and stay comfortable
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Home/Away Assist automatically adjusts itself to an Eco Temperature after you leave, so you don’t heat or cool an empty home; remote control lets you change the temperature from anywhere on your phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
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With Energy History, just check your phone to see how much energy you used and why, or use Quick View on the display to reach Energy History, settings, or your schedule; the Nest Leaf appears when you choose a temperature that saves energy
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Smart thermostat with HVAC monitoring, which looks out for your heating and cooling systems; sends an alert if something doesn’t seem right, along with helpful reminders to make maintenance easier[2]
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The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the Nest Temperature Sensor (sold separately) to help make sure a certain room is the exact temperature you want it to be
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Beautifully designed, with polished metal finishes and bright, high resolution display; Farsight shows you the temperature, weather, or time on your thermostat when you walk in the room
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It’s easy to install your thermostat, typically in 30 minutes or less, with everything you need included in the box; compatible with 95% of heating and cooling systems
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Google Nest Learning Thermostat (Stainless Steel) with a Google Authenticity Seal
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Nest Renew makes it simple to support clean energy right from home; it works with your Nest Learning Thermostat[6] to help you automatically prioritize your usage[7] to times when energy is cleaner or less expensive
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Please refer to the product description section below for all applicable legal disclaimers denoted by the bracketed numbers in the preceding bullet points (e.g., [1], [2], etc.)
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Amazon Smart Thermostat – ENERGY STAR certified, DIY install, Works with Alexa – C-wire required
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Smart upgrade - Amazon Smart Thermostat is an easy way to switch from a traditional thermostat and help reduce energy usage.
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Save money - After purchase, Amazon will send you an email with details about rebates that may be available from energy providers in your area. Explore rebates above.
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Save energy - According to EPA estimates, ENERGY STAR certified thermostats save an average of $50 on yearly energy bills.
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Automatic comfort - Alexa can do the programming for you, updating the temperature to keep you comfortable.
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On-the-go control - Let Alexa set the temperature, or set it yourself from anywhere with the Alexa app.
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You can do it - The Alexa app will guide you through the installation process, but customer service is always available.
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Reliable - Made with Honeywell Home Thermostat Technology and backed by 130 years of experience.
4
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Google Nest Thermostat - Smart Thermostat for Home - Programmable Wifi Thermostat - Snow
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ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page.Connectivity Protocol : Wi-Fi.Connectivity Protocol : Wi-Fi
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The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory. Lock feature: No
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Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home; easily program an energy efficient schedule in the Google home app on your Android or iPhone
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Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
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Savings Finder looks for more ways your thermostat can help you save, and suggests tweaks to your schedule in the app; check with your energy provider to learn more about rebates and more ways to save on a Nest thermostat
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Smart thermostat with HVAC monitoring, which looks out for your heating and cooling systems; sends an alert if something doesn’t seem right, along with helpful reminders to make maintenance easier[2]
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It’s easy to install your thermostat, typically in 30 minutes or less, with everything you need included in the box; it’s compatible with 85% of heating and cooling systems
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Control the temperature with your voice using smart home devices that work with Google Assistant or Alexa[3]
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Nest Renew makes it simple to support clean energy right from home; it works with your Nest Thermostat[5] to help you automatically prioritize your usage[6] to times when energy is cleaner or less expensive
5
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
New 2023! Honeywell Home RTH8800WF2022, T5 WiFi Smart Thermostat, 7 Day-Programmable Touchscreen, Alexa Ready, Geofencing Technology, Energy Star, C-Wire Required
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High use of the scheduling feature of the T5 thermostat saved customers between 8 and 16% on heating and cooling bills. Dollar savings range based on nationwide average annual single-family detached home's heat and cooling bills; actual savings varies based on consumption.
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Save Energy and Get Rewarded. Check with your energy provider about available energy savings rebates to save on your purchase. Plus, eligible customers can enroll in their local Utility's "DEMAND RESPONSE PROGRAM" which can reward you for allowing the utility to slightly adjust your AC or furnace temperature settings when there is high energy demand.
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7-Day Flexible Scheduling or Location Based Temperature Control. It’s your choice. 7-day scheduling programs your thermostat. Geofence technology helps make you comfortable by using your smartphone’s location to know when you’re away and when you return.
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Auto Home and Away Mode. Enjoy ideal temperatures at home, then save when away.
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ENERGY STAR certified. Help save energy, track your heating and cooling with monthly energy reports and get personalized tips on reducing energy use.
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C-WIRE POWER ADAPTER REQUIRED: Before purchasing, check to see if this thermostat is compatible with your home and to determine if your home needs a C-wire power adapter.
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Works with most heat/cool oil furnace systems. Will not work with heating only oil furnace systems unless a C-Wire is present.
6
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat for Smart Home, DIY, Works With Alexa, Energy Star Certified, ST55
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PRIVACY PROTECTION*: Sensi won’t sell your personal information to third parties
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SAVE ABOUT 23% ON HVAC ENERGY*: The ENERGY STAR-certified Sensi smart thermostat can help you save energy with features like flexible scheduling, remote access, and usage reports
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EASY DIY INSTALLATION: Use the built-in level and step-by-step app instructions for a quick installation. Works with HVAC equipment found in most homes. Common wire (c-wire) is not required in most applications
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SMART MAINTENANCE: Sensi can help monitor the performance and efficiency of your HVAC system by delivering valuable usage reports, alerts about your equipment, and maintenance reminders like filter replacement
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SIMPLE CONFIGURATION: Looks and feels like a thermostat. Has buttons and fits the same space as a traditional thermostat so you don’t have to patch and paint your walls
How easy is it to program a smart thermostat?
The difficulty of programming a smart thermostat can vary depending on the specific thermostat model, the software or application used, and the complexity of the desired programming. That being said, most modern smart thermostats are designed to be user-friendly and have simplified programming interfaces.
Many smart thermostats come with mobile applications or web interfaces that allow users to configure and customize their thermostat settings easily. These interfaces often use intuitive menus and icons to guide users through the programming process.
Basic programming tasks, such as setting temperature schedules for different times of the day or week, are typically straightforward and can be accomplished with a few simple steps. Users can often choose from preset schedules or create their own by specifying the desired temperature settings at different times.
Advanced programming options, such as incorporating external sensors, creating complex multi-zone schedules, or integrating with other smart home devices, may require more technical knowledge and effort. However, manufacturers often provide detailed documentation and customer support to assist users in setting up these functionalities.
Overall, while the specifics can vary, smart thermostats are generally designed to be user-friendly, making it relatively easy for most people to program and control their devices.
Can a smart thermostat connect to my utility company for optimal energy usage?
Yes, a smart thermostat can connect to your utility company for optimal energy usage. Many smart thermostats have built-in features or companion apps that allow them to connect to the utility company's energy management system. This connection enables the thermostat to receive real-time data on peak energy demand periods or special pricing programs, helping you schedule heating or cooling cycles accordingly to save energy and reduce costs. Smart thermostats can also participate in demand-response programs, where the utility company can remotely adjust your thermostat settings during high-demand periods to balance the grid load. Overall, connecting a smart thermostat to your utility company can help optimize energy usage and potentially save money on your energy bills.
Are there any energy-saving programs or rebates available for smart thermostat installations?
Yes, there are several energy-saving programs and rebates available for smart thermostat installations. These programs vary by state and utility company, so it's best to check with your local utility provider or energy department for specific details. However, some common programs and rebates include:
- Energy Efficiency Programs: Many utility companies offer energy efficiency programs that provide incentives for installing smart thermostats. These programs often include rebates, discounts, or even free thermostats for eligible customers.
- Demand Response Programs: Some utility companies have demand response programs, where they offer financial incentives to customers who allow the utility to adjust their thermostat settings during peak demand periods. These programs aim to reduce electricity consumption during high-demand periods and often provide bill credits or cash incentives.
- Energy Star Rebates: The Energy Star program, which signifies energy-efficient products, may offer rebates for smart thermostat installations. These rebates are typically offered by utility companies or government agencies and encourage the use of energy-saving devices.
- Federal Tax Credits: In certain cases, homeowners may be eligible for federal tax credits when they install energy-efficient devices like smart thermostats. The credits are subject to change and have specific eligibility criteria, so it's important to review the latest regulations from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Remember to research and understand the specific requirements, eligibility criteria, and deadlines for any available program or rebate in your area, as they can vary widely.
