A thermostat is the brain of your HVAC system. It senses the temperature of your home and maintains that temperature at your desired setpoint. There have never been more choices for thermostats, which gives the consumer a lot of power, but too many choices can be overwhelming. We’d like to break it down for you and give you our top picks in terms of functionality, effectiveness and price.
In the world of temperature control, you’re looking at 3 main types thermostats: non-programmable, programmable and smart. We’re focusing on smart thermostats because we’ve been getting quite a deal of questions about these in particular. Smart thermostats use algorithms and monitoring systems to learn your family’s temperature preferences and habits to adjust the thermostat for you.
In the end, thermostats are kind of like ice cream flavors. Sure there are some differences in their features and operations but they all perform the same job. The overall takeaway should be that they are relatively easy to install, compatible with your heating and cooling system, have a simple interface, are affordable and have the potential to save you money in energy costs.
Here’s our round-up…
Honeywell started the thermostat game with the first precursor in 1886. Yes, 1886. They continue to make solid thermostats of the programmable and non-programmable varieties. Though Google and ecobee have taken the lead in the market with the smart thermostats, Honeywell still has great products. Their smart line includes the T9 and the Lyric T5. There are older models of the T5 and T5+ but they have given way to the T9 and Lyric T5. The Lyric T5 offers nearly every option of the T9, including geofencing, at a very affordable price.
Google’s Nest Thermostat E has all the functionality and intelligence of its more expensive counterpart, the Learning Thermostat, but it offers the product at a midrange price point. It looks sleek and attractive, learns your habits and preferences and adapts and adjusts to your needs. The app is easy to use and you will certainly see the savings in your energy bill from this smart thermostat.
The ecobee lite is just as capable and adaptable as the ecobee Smart but it’s nearly $100 cheaper. The only thing you lose in the lite model is the integration of Alexa and entertainment additions like Spotify and Apple music. The lite model also lacks the eco+ mode, which the Smart model uses to learn your schedule and adjust temperatures automatically. But you can easily do the same thing by manually adjusting your schedule via the device or app. The lite is a great bargain for those who don’t need the voice control features or eco+ mode.
With smart thermostats it’s all a matter of price, interface and preference. We can help you decide what’s right for your home and your lifestyle with one quick consult. Whether you’re interested in saving money or ease and simplicity, we’ve got the solution for you.
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