Technological advancements have altered our lifestyles of good. Wireless connectivity and smart devices have gone rampant in demand as more and more people rely on the internet with almost everything.
One of the prime examples of these innovations and technological advancements is a Wifi home thermostat. This is now the modern way to take control of the temperature in your home and significantly reduce your heating/cooling costs.
Due to an overwhelming range of Wifi home thermostats available on the market, choosing the right one becomes fairly tough. Therefore, I have developed this post to make sure that you don’t have to go through a tough time and make your decision conveniently.
Products reviewed in this article (in the appearance of Our rating):
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Google Nest Learning Thermostat - Programmable Smart Thermostat for Home - 3rd Generation Nest... | $174.99 | Check on Amazon |
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ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat - Programmable Wifi Thermostat - Works with Siri, Alexa, Google... | $137.99 | Check on Amazon |
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EMERSON Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Touchscreen Color Display, Works with Alexa, Energy... |
$136.19 |
Check on Amazon |
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Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat, 7 Day Programmable, Touch Screen, Energy... | 18,035 Reviews | $142.00 | Check on Amazon |
Table of Contents
Google, T3007ES Thermostat – Our Pick
Yes, you heard that right! Google has introduced its wifi home thermostat, and it is a pretty good product as well. The T3007ES is actually the 3rd generation thermostat, and it is fully compatible with Amazon’s Alexa.
Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa
- Auto scheduling
- Control and operate with your smartphone
- Energy saving
- Home/away assist
Compatible with Amazon Alexa
This thermostat can connect with Alexa and enable you to control it from anywhere, whether inside or outside of your house.
Auto scheduling
Due to its auto-scheduling capability, you won’t have to deal with any of those confusing programs that would require an MIT degree from you to operate them. Just set the schedule, and your thermostat will keep the work going.
Home/away assist
This feature is essentially geofencing, and upon leaving, the thermostat needs to turn off while upon entry, it needs to turn back on. It will be very helpful in reducing overall energy costs.
Smartphone operation
Another excellent feature of this device is that you can down the app and start sending the commands to your thermostat even when you are not at home. Just say what you want it to do, and it will get the job done for you.
EcoBee3 Lite Thermostat – Runner-up
The EcoBee Lite is also very much similar to Google’s. It is fully compatible with Alexa, and you can conveniently operate it through your phone.it will enable you to save money because it will effectively manage your house’s temperature effectively.
Features
- Works with your room’s sensors
- Easy installation
- Operate from anywhere
- Smart home compatibility
- Saves costs
Works with your room’s sensors
You can place the sensors in your favorite rooms and conveniently control them using this device. This way, you can comfortably take control of your entire home and manage the temperatures as you wish.
Easy installation
EcoBee3 is so simple to install that you don’t have to do much or go through an instruction manual for doing it. Just download the app and get started right away.
Control from anywhere
With the installation of the app, you get the freedom to operate and control the wifi home thermostat from anywhere, whether you are at home or are outside. And the good thing is that the app is available for both Apple and Android devices. However, the Geofence feature is impractical because, as you leave home with your phone, the thermostat will turn off no matter what.
Smart home compatibility
This thermostat is fully compatible with all the smart home hub tech available. This will enable you to control the device effectively.
Emerson Sensi Thermostat
The Emerson Sensi unit requires a C-wire connection. It is Energy Star certified, and it also runs with Alexa for easy control and management.
Features
- C-wire connection
- Reduces HVAC costs
- Rebates applicable
- User-friendly installation and operation
- Smart home compatibility
C-wire connection
With the help of C-wire, the device is extensively compatible with your home’s HVAC equipment. It can directly link with the HVAC system and allows you to control through a wired connection.
User-friendly installation and operation
The installation and operation of this thermostat are straightforward, and you don’t have to do much. Just turn on the wifi and start using it.
Reduces HVAC costs
As this device is able to connect with your HVAC equipment, it will enable you to save more on the associated costs. You can save almost up to 23% on your HVAC energy, as it is an Energy Star certified device as well.
Smart home compatibility
You can enjoy the best of both worlds as the Emerson Sensi is able to connect with the HVAC system and is also fully smart home compatible. It can work with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, as well as Apple HomeKit. Apart from that, it can also run with Samsung SmartThings and Wink.
Honeywell Thermostat
Honeywell thermostat comes with a full 7-day schedule that you can program using its touchscreen. It is Energy Star certified and is also compatible with Alexa.
Features
- Multiple compatibility options
- Customizable touchscreen
- Highly flexible programming options
- Intelligent alerts
- Easy to set up
Intelligent alerts
This smart thermostat can see your intelligent alerts as well as reminders. For instance, it can alert you when the filter needs to be replaced, or humidifier pads require changes. Apart from that, it can also alert you regarding high and low temperatures.
Programming options with a flexibility
You can conveniently use various programming options as per requirements. You can set the program for either your home or your small office. And it will also allow you to set a schedule. You can conveniently manage those peak rate charges.
Multiple compatibility options
One of the top features of this device is that it is compatible with a number of smart hub technologies, including the likes of Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings.
Customizable touchscreen
With the help of this customizable touchscreen, you can change the display and make it in your favorite color or the color of your decor.
Buying Guide
In this guide, I’ll highlight important features that you must keep in mind when looking for a smart thermostat.
C-wire requirements
Most, but not all, wifi home thermostats require a C-wire to run because they need more power than simple batteries can provide. But they also don’t need to be plugged into an outlet. They need low voltage, which they can get from your home’s HVAC system.
R-wires are also available, but this is known to create some problems with your HVAC system too. It is better to go for a C-wire installation to ensure that your device keeps running smoothly.
Simple installation
Installing a wifi thermostat should be that difficult even if you are not very experienced with DIY projects. Most of them come with their installation guides so the owners can install them on their own.
Make sure that all the wires are color-coded. If not then you need to closely go through all the instructions to avoid any mistakes,
Geofencing
For geofencing, your thermostat needs to come with its own mobile app. With the help of your phone’s GPS chip and the app, you can create a geofence or a perimeter where upon entering or exit, the thermostat will either turn on or off.
For example, if you have gone out to do the groceries, your smart thermostat will automatically turn off. When you return and enter the home, it will turn back on again.
Support for high voltage heater
Many smart thermostats are designed to function with the central HVAC system of your house. If in case high voltage heaters are running in your house, then you will need a wifi home thermostat that runs with that kind of heater.
Design and looks
As your device is going to be right in front of everybody, it needs to have a cool design. With good looks, it will blend in with the decor. If you are planning to hide it away somewhere, then you won’t need to worry about the looks.
But the display needs to look stylish and elegant. Some models also come in different colors, and you get the option to make a choice according to the decor.
Remote access
With this feature, you can control your device from anywhere. You can check and alter the temperature using the internet. But the internet is mandatory here.
Sensors
Geofencing is good, but sensors provide you with an alternative to see where there is someone in the house, and you need to run the thermostat or not. These sensors work nicely in tendon with geofencing to keep the thermostat working and maintaining the right temperature within the house.
Smart home hub compatibility
Many smart thermostats come with its own app that enables you to control it remotely. Apart from that, you can also use the smart home hub connectivity to do the same. You can send voice commands to your device using this technology.
User interface
The user interface of a wifi home thermostat needs to be very simple to understand. You need to be right at home when using these thermostats. A user-friendly interface will make sure that you use all the features that are on offer. And don’t have to avoid anything just because you cannot understand it.
FAQs
Do gas and power companies give any rebates to offset the costs?
Yes, there are many utility firms that give rebates when you buy an appliance or machinery that improves your home’s overall energy efficiency. You can expect an amount of up to $100 from the purchase price back in the rebate.
Are there any smart thermostat devices that don’t require a C-wire?
There are some models that don’t need a C-wire to run. Some thermostats come with their own power kit, and it makes up for the C-wire. But it is not mandatory that all smart thermostats come with this wire.
Is a wifi home thermostat worth it?
Yes, it makes a significant contribution to saving your utility costs, and it also conserved energy. It will automatically turn on or off the cooling or heating system of your home based on the temperature set. You can control it remotely too. These devices will detect if there is no one in the room; they will automatically shut off.
Is wifi mandatory for these thermostats?
Now wifi is not mandatory for these thermostats. They just need an internet connection, and it doesn’t have to be a home network. But if wifi is available, there are far more choices available at your disposal.
Conclusion
So there you have it! The best wifi home thermostat is the one from Google because it is equipped with all the necessary features. It is compatible with a smart home hub and can also run with Amazon Alexa. It has a very simple and small-sized display. You can conveniently use it remotely through wifi.
The thermostat needs to be compact in size, and it should be very user-friendly too. Features like geofencing, smart home hub compatibility are all required. Otherwise, you won’t be able to extract enough benefits from your purchase.
So, which one of these do you think is the best? Share your comments and suggestions below in the section provided!
Happy shopping!
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I have over 15 years of knowledge in the technology field. Studied IT systems administration and now installing security cameras and smart home devices into user’s homes and offices.