The Best Home Thermostat for Efficient Heating and Cooling – BobVila.com

Thermostats have come a long way from those early models with manual temperature dials that may or may not accurately reflect the rooms actual temperature. Todays thermostats are highly efficient. Many are programmable. Some connect with smart-home systems for remote control through a smartphone app.

The best home thermostat depends on the users wants and needs and whether the home has a Wi-Fi network. Ahead, learn what factors to consider when shopping for a new thermostat, and find out why the following models are top options for many homeowners.

Thermostats are available in three basic types: manual, programmable, and smart. A new thermostat can cost as little as $20 to as much as $300 or more for a high-end thermostat that comes with a boatload of bells and whistles. Most homeowners want a thermostat with features that help save on utility costswithout getting too complicated.

Manual thermostats are the least expensive and most straightforward to operate. Most come with an LED screen and a couple of buttons that raise and lower the room temperature. They usually include a manual switch that allows the user to switch to heat in the winter, cool in the summer, or a fan to circulate air whenever.

A programmable thermostat allows the user to set heating and cooling schedules based on activity in the home. For example, a homeowner can schedule the furnace to come on at 6 a.m. on weekdays to heat the house before the family wakes up to get ready for work and school. The heat or AC may start up again 30 minutes before the family gets back home. Depending on the thermostat, scheduling may be limited to repeating a seven-day cycle or extend for an entire month.

The new kids on the block, smart thermostats allow users to adjust a homes temperature remotely through a corresponding smartphone app. These thermostats include a wide range of features and functions. Some could be very useful; others less so. When you look at smart thermostats with tons of functions, consider your lifestyle and choose accordingly. Dont pay for features you wont use. Here are some extras you might see:

Keep in mind that all these extra features require a little extra power. Manual and programmable thermostats require only a wire that connects the thermostat to the HVAC system, but smart thermostats often require an additional common wire (C-wire). The extra voltage is necessary to power a smart thermostats added functions, such as geofencing and Wi-Fi connectivity. New homes often come with C-wires already installed. In older homes, a professional may need to install a C-wire before the smart thermostat goes in.

It might be tempting to run out and buy a smart thermostat that promises energy efficiency, but dont pull out the credit card until youre sure its the right pick for your home. The best home thermostat is compatible with your existing heating and cooling system, comes with the features needed to make life simpler, and fits within your budget, which includes allowing for professional installation costs if necessary.

When it comes to choosing the best thermostat, one size does not fit all. Some thermostats control only heat, others control only cooling, and others control both. The type of thermostat required depends on the type of HVAC equipment. The following tips will help determine which type of thermostat you need.

Smart thermostats may require users to place sensors in various rooms in the home to sense activity, monitor the temperature, and adjust the heating and cooling accordingly. These sensors, which communicate wirelessly with the thermostat, are a vital part of learning thermostats that record activity in the home for a period of time and then schedule heating and cooling to fit the familys patterns. Sensors may also monitor other factors, including allergen and humidity levels in the room, and send alerts to the users smartphone.

The best thermostat is one thats easy to see and program. Many of todays thermostats come with large LED screens and easy-to-follow prompts that help set the temperature and program a heating and cooling schedule. But some smart thermostats only include a small screen and limited direct programming capability. Instead, the user must control most functions through the corresponding app on a smartphone, tablet, or PC.

Replacing an existing manual or programmable thermostat with a new manual or programmable model is relatively simple; the existing wires simply connect to the new thermostat. Installing this type of thermostat is often a DIY project.

Replacing an existing smart thermostat with a new one may also be a DIY project. But if a C-wire is not available, running a new one is a job for an electrician. Installing a smart thermostat is only the first part of the task. After the new thermostat is on the wall, the user must download an app and then follow the prompts to connect the thermostat to the homes Wi-Fi network. Most of the time, this is a relatively simple task if the user has a basic knowledge of routers and networks.

Thermostats are functional, not decorative. Still, many of todays thermostats have sleek digital displays and look more appealing than their older counterparts. Some allow users to download a chosen background image onto the display. Most are low-profile so they dont stick out far from the wall. A few of the newer models are designed for recessing in a wall stud space, making the front of the screen nearly flush with the walls surface for a sleek, clean look.

The best thermostats must be well made, dependable and accurate. Any extra features may benefit some, but not others. While the following home thermostats vary in features and functions, each one is a quality instrument that will help homeowners cut down on heating and cooling costs. One is sure to be an asset in your home.

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The Google Nest Learning Thermostat takes note of repetitive tasks, such as when home dwellers tend to turn the temperature up or down, and remembers the information to adjust the temperature automatically. This smart thermostat also includes geofencing so that the temperature is just right when the family gets home without wasting energy when the house is empty. A dial display shows the temperature in large digital numerals that are clearly visible from across a room. A blue backlight indicates the house is cooling; a red one shows its warming up. Its compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant so users can activate the thermostat with voice commands.

The Google Nest requires a C-wire for installation and a Wi-Fi network for use. Sensors to activate additional features are sold separately.

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No need to spend a lot of money to update an old thermostat to a new programmable model. The Honeywell Home RTH2300B1038 5-2 thermostat offers weekday and weekend programming with up to four program changes per day, all at an affordable price. With a programmed daily schedule, this thermostat will run only when family members are home, saving money and energy when theyre out. Users further adjust the temperature with the press of a button on the thermostat.

The Honeywell thermostat does not require a C-wire for installation, but it does require two AAA batteries (not included) to provide the additional power necessary to run the digital display. Installation instructions are included.

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Those looking for the most basic thermostat need look no further than the Emerson NO110 Non-Programmable Single Stage Thermostat. One button raises the temperature and the other lowers it. The Emerson thermostat goes from heating to cooling with the flip of a switch. An easy-to-read LED screen shows the desired room temperature and the current temperature. This no-frills thermostat is well suited to homeowners who want to set and change the temperature by themselves without the need for programs or Wi-Fi connections. It doesnt need a C-wire. Just follow the included step-by-step installation instructions for a relatively simple DIY chore.

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The Honeywell Home Wi-Fi Thermostat comes in well below the average $200 price tag of most smart thermostats. For an affordable price, it brings some of the most popular smart thermostat options. For starters, it runs a weeklong program with up to four changes per day. The Honeywell syncs with a range of smart-home devices and apps, including Alexa, Microsoft Cortana, and Google Assistant, so users can control the temperature directly on the thermostat or remotely from an app-connected device.

The app pings when its time to replace air filters, when the Wi-Fi is down, and when the homes temperature reaches (or falls below) a preset level. The thermostat comes with installation instructions and requires a C-wire. A home Wi-Fi network is necessary for operation.

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Homeowners looking for a midrange smart thermostat that offers easy programming, remote operation, and geofencing may want to check out the Google Nest Smart Home Thermostat. It integrates with the Google Home app on a smartphone, laptop, or PC. Geofencing uses GPS technology to shut off heating and cooling when the user leaves home and start up the thermostat again when family members return. Users can program a weekly heating and cooling schedule to save on utility costs without adjusting the thermostat manually.

This midrange Google Nest thermostat can send important notifications about the HVAC systems status to a smartphone. The app walks users step by step through DIY installation. Keep in mind that A C-wire is required.

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For uniform comfort throughout the home, the ecobee3 Smart Thermostat comes with three room sensors that monitor the temperature in the most-used rooms and send information to the central thermostat. If a room gets too hot or too cold, the ecobee takes appropriate action. Sensors can also detect when rooms are in use and trigger the thermostat to adjust the temperature accordingly. The thermostat is compatible with up to 29 additional sensors (sold separately).

The ecobee integrates with multiple smart-home systems and smart apps, including Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT (If This, Then That). Users can configure the app to track energy usage and offer tips for conservation.

Both standard and zoned HVAC systems are compatible with ecobee3s smart thermostat. Instructions for installation, which requires a C-wire, are available in the app. The ecobee requires an installed home Wi-Fi network to operate.

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For those looking for both on-screen and remote thermostat control, the Emerson Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat might be just the ticket. On the Sensi Touchs large screen, users can check the temperature at a glance and make adjustments with the tap of a finger. Like other smart thermostats, it integrates with smart-home systems, including Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple HomeKit.

The Sensi Touch monitors humidity and, with some configuration in the corresponding app, sends an alert via smartphone if the humidity rises out of a preset range. It also monitors heating and cooling patterns to generate energy usage reports that help the homeowner make changes to save energy. This smart thermostat works with most HVAC equipment and requires a C-wire for installation. A home Wi-Fi network is also necessary.

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At about two-thirds the size of comparable models (4.92 inches high by 3.7 inches wide), Honeywell Homes T9 Smart Thermostat wont take up much room on the wall or stick out like a sore thumb, but it still offers high-end smart features. Geofencing adjusts the temperature when family members leave home, which is a money and energy saver. Individual sensors (sold separately) help further adapt heating and cooling to the familys needs.

The T9 thermostat follows a preset heating and cooling schedule or learns the familys routine and comes up with a program to fit. It integrates with several apps, including Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings to offer remote or voice control of the HVAC system. The T9 comes with installation instructions and requires an installed C-wire as well as a home Wi-Fi network.

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With the large digital display on the Honeywell Wireless Thermostat, users can easily see the temperature from across the room. The display also shows the day, date, time, outdoor temperature, and indoor and outdoor humidity levels.

Users can program the Honeywell Wireless, either directly on the display or through the smartphone app, to follow a seven-day schedule, which saves money and energy. Save even more with the optional energy-saving mode.

This smart thermostat syncs with smart-home systems, including Google Home and Alexa. Installation instructions are included, and a C-wire and home Wi-Fi network are necessary to run the thermostat.

Here are a few of the most common questions about the latest thermostats.

Probably, but some additional wiring may be required to install a smart thermostat if the home is more than five to 10 years old.

A smart thermostat connects to the homes wireless network to relay information and allow the user to control the HVAC system remotely or by voice commands.

Yes. Smart thermostats must connect to the Wi-Fi in a home in order to communicate with the users smartphone.

Programmable thermostats can be smart or not-smart. Select one that can schedule at least seven days of heating and cooling and will allow you to override the schedule by adjusting the temperature up or down from the thermostat itself.

If your home already has a C-wire, replacing an existing thermostat with a smart one is relatively simple and most likely a DIY project. If the house doesnt have a C-wire, a professional should install one.

The features that make the thermostat smart, such as geofencing, voice command, and control through a smartphone app, wont work when the internet is out. But, you can still control the thermostat manually directly on the unit.

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The Best Home Thermostat for Efficient Heating and Cooling - BobVila.com