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Smart Thermostat Comparison

Out of every innovation to have swept the consumer market in recent years, smart thermostats have swiftly proven to be one of the most convenient digital devices for households.

The benefits of Wi-Fi thermostats are numerous, as they allow you to monitor and adjust the temperature of your home from any PC, laptop, smartphone, or pad with a corresponding app. You can control the heating and cooling mechanisms of your house from any location, whether you happen to be at home, at work, or in the midst of a commute. When you’re on your way home at the end of an extremely hot or cold day, a Wi-Fi thermostat can be remotely prompted to adjust the temperatures of your house in time for your arrival. In doing so, such a device could save you money that would otherwise be wasted on heating and air conditioning during the times of day when no one is home.

Over the last couple of years, a host of competing products has led to a swarm of wireless thermostat reviews across the Internet. In some of these smart thermostat reviews, low prices are emphasized over features and durability. In other Wi-Fi thermostat comparison articles, the simplicity of energy efficient thermostats is focused on with no regard for each product’s performance capabilities. With the following set of Wi-Fi thermostat reviews, the goal is to present the key facts and features about the leading products on the market so that you can make an informed and confident wireless thermostat comparison.

EcoNet Integrated Air + Water System

EcoNet by Rheem is the first thermostat system to integrate cooling, heating and water all into one device. Whether your house is occupied or empty, EcoNet can be programmed to adjust the temperatures accordingly based on the time of day and year.

The EcoNet Center is available in three different faceplates with a variety of background colors. With the convenient EcoNet smartphone app, the system is under your control whether you’re at work, on vacation or out shopping.

EcoNet works with the following water heating, heating/cooling, and pool/spa products by Rheem:

  • Rheem PrestigeTMHybrid Heat Pump Water Heater
  • Performance Platinum Series: High Efficiency Electric
  • Performance Platinum Series: Powered Damper
  • Rheem 96% AFUE Variable Speed Gas Furnaces
  • Heat Pump Pool Heater

By giving you the power from any location to adjust the energy consumption of your water, heaters, air conditioners and pool, EcoNet can help you control up to 65% of your energy usage.

Honeywell Lyric Wi-Fi-Enabled Thermostat

Smart thermostat reviews have been mixed on the Honeywell Lyric, which nonetheless has the power to keep homes comfortable while allowing you to save money on energy bills. The Lyric utilizes geofencing technology and informs you when HVAC maintenance is needed.

With the Honeywell Lyric, you can take advantage of the following features:

  • Smart Cues — This helps you prolong the life of your HVAC system by keeping you informed of when maintenance needs and performance issues arise.
  • Geofencing — Based on the whereabouts of your smartphone, the Lyric will adjust the heating or cooling of your house, keeping things comfortable when the house is occupied and saving you money when everyone is out for the day.
  • Fine Tune — The indoor temperature can be regulated with consideration for the conditions outdoors. This prevents 100 degree weather from diluting an AC setting of 70 degrees.

Easily operable with its remote control mobile app, The Honeywell Lyric meets these standards:

  • Color — white
  • Dimensions — 7″ x 4″ x 7.2″
  • Weight — 1.4 pounds

The Lyric might not be among the most strongly reviewed Wi-Fi thermostats on the market, but it provides state-of-the-art features for any homeowner who’s concerned about the health and efficiency of his or her HVAC system.

The CyberStat Programmable Thermostat

The CyberStat Wi-Fi thermostat isn’t what one would call glamorous, but it accomplishes the tasks it was built to perform and is a great choice for homeowners who lack complex technological knowhow. The device can be programmed for seven days, and it boasts a simple set of control features. Best of all, the CyberStat Wi-Fi goes for less than $100.

The CyberStat CY1201WF Programmable Thermostat from Motison has the following features:

  • Double digit, brightness-adjustable LED display — readable from across a room
  • Memory settings that can withstand outages of power
  • Temporary and permanent override options for when temperature patterns or personal needs change
  • Adaptive Recovery, which initiates temperature adjustments ahead of schedule

The CyberStat requires an 802.11b/g compatible router in order to gain Wi-Fi access. Product details for the CyberStat are as follows:

  • Thickness — 24 mm
  • Dimensions — 3.7″ x 0.9″ x 5.9″
  • Weight — 7 ounces
  • Wattage — 2 watts

If you’re looking for a smart thermostat that’s inexpensive, none-too fancy, easy to use and offers all the basic functions of a Wi-Fi device, the CyberStat could keep everyone in your household happy whether it’s cold or hot outside.

The Pro1 Thermostat

The Pro1 Wi-Fi thermostat is one of the easiest units of its kind to operate. You’re unlikely to find a simpler thermostat for the processes of setting up and programming function to your own specifications. With a screen that spans eight inches, the device is easy on the eyes, while the buttons are simple to figure out and adjust to your needs. Furthermore, the Pro1 Wi-Fi is a cinch to install.

Pro1 thermostat models are grouped into the following four families:

  • 600 Family — Two sq. inch display and six models: T601, T601-2, T605-2, T621-2, T631-2, T631W-2
  • 700 Family — Six sq. inch display and 10 models:  T701, T701i, T705, T715, T721, T725, T755, T755S, T755H, T771
  • 800 Family — Eight sq. inch display and four models: T801, T805, T855, T855i
  • 900 Family — Thirteen sq. inch display and five models: T905, T925, T955, T955WH, Z955W

At the top of the line, the Z955W has numerous hi-performance features, including the following:

  • Supports up to five zones
  • Touchscreen
  • Blue back-light
  • Programmable fan
  • Lockable keypad
  • Filter change alert
  • Zone control from master control

The Z955W is backed by a five-year warranty.

Venstar ColorTouch Thermostat

The Venstar ColorTouch Thermostat mixes conventional control features with innovative characteristics that will likely be more and more common in the technological world of the future. Boasting a color screen and Wi-Fi adapter, it beats the old fashioned thermostat system.

Features of the Venstar ColorTouch Thermostat include the following:

  • Seven-day programming capabilities
  • Auto changeover
  • Touchscreen
  • Four-stage heating
  • Two-stage cooling

Requiring no batteries, the Venstar ColorTouch has the following stats:

  • Color — white/gray
  • Dimensions — 6.2″ x 4.6″ x 2″
  • Weight — 11.2 ounces

The Venstar ColorTouch can be used with a variety of systems, including gas, electric and dual fuel. If you’re looking for a thermostat that’s both advanced and easy to use, the Venstar ColorTouch should be high on your list of considerations.

Trane Home Energy Management Thermostat

Trane is one of the most esteemed brands among HVAC users. As people would expect, the company has developed one of the better thermostats on the Wi-Fi market. The thermostat can be purchased for under $100, though it does require a $9.99 monthly prescription.

The unit’s performance extends beyond just controlling temperatures. Functions and features of the Trane include the following:

  • Sends texts/email notifications when temperatures at home drastically change.
  • Produces energy charts that track HVAC consumption so you can manage your use of power.
  • Z-Wave adaptability, which allows the thermostat to communicate with other wireless devices throughout the house.

The stats of the Trane thermostat are as follows:

  • Color/finish — white
  • Dimensions — 1″ x 5.8″ x 3.9″
  • Weight — 7.2 ounces
  • Material — plastic
  • Shape — rectangular

Whether you’re looking for a thermometer to integrate with other Wi-Fi gadgets, or just something that will help you monitor your HVAC system, Trane Home Energy Management Thermostat is one of the best possible options available today.

First Alert THERM-500 Onelink Wi-Fi Touchscreen Smart Thermostat

First Alert has developed a Wi-Fi thermostat that users can customize to make homes more comfortable without any of the confusion that often comes with programming similar devices. The screen features a photo background with more than 100 images from which you can choose, while the unit informs you how much energy is being consumed at a given time.

When you’re away but wish to send texts home — such as messages for others to read or just info for your own safekeeping — you can send such messages to the thermostat with your smartphone.

The First Alert Onelink thermostat offers the following features:

  • Free Onelink app, which lets you connect to the thermostat from any smartphone or pad.
  • Schedule setter for energy conservation
  • Full color touchscreen
  • Storage for up to 100 photos
  • Text message reception
  • Energy usage chart that shows the preceding week’s level of HVAC power consumption

The First Alert Onelink thermostat weighs 1.6 pounds and measures 1.2″ x 5.2″ x 4″.

Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat RTH9580WF

Honeywell has produced a range of digital devices for monitoring temperature, but the company’s Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat is among the best of its kind. With its simple interface and user-friendly touch controls, the device allows you to monitor both indoor and outdoor temperatures and make suitable adjustments from any location.

The Honeywell smart thermostat supports the following features:

  • Simple temperature adjustment with onscreen help button that provides answers to questions
  • Updates on local weather and alerts on abrupt temperature changes
  • Color scheme options that adjust to your interior
  • Free mobile app for remote smart alerts

Stats for the Honeywell thermostat are as follows:

  • Color — white
  • Dimensions — 8.5″ x 0.8″ x 3.2″
  • Weight — 1.3 pounds
  • Shape — square

Lennox iComfort Wi-Fi Touchscreen Thermostat

The iComfort from Lennox is among the costlier devices on the Wi-Fi thermostat market, but it’s also one of the most advanced, easy to use and fully customizable units of its kind. Plus, the iComfort comes with automatic updates for whenever new features are added to the software.

In addition to making it easy to control your temperature settings from any location with Wi-Fi access, the benefits of the iComfort include:

  • One Touch Away Mode — A feature that allows for easy energy conservation when the house is empty.
  • Weather on Demand — Which gives you instant weather alerts and keeps you informed of five-day forecasts.
  • Color and pattern adjustability, so you can make the iComfort suit your interior design scheme.

The physical details of the iComfort are as follows:

  • Color — white
  • Dimensions — 9.7″ x 5.9″ x 2.2″
  • Weight — 1.8 pounds

Ecobee3 Wi-Fi Thermostat with Remote Sensor

The Ecobee3 boasts some of the most advanced capabilities from the current crop of smart thermostats. Not only will it keep your whole house at desired temperatures throughout each season, it will also provide you with drastic savings on your monthly energy bills.

With its remote sensors, the Ecobee3 can detect when a given room is occupied or empty, and adjust the temperature accordingly. The device also has a sleek, modern look that will visually suit the aesthetic themes of most contemporary homes. Additionally, owners are treated to free software upgrades whenever new improvements are added to the Ecobee3 program.

In short, the key features of the Ecobee3 are as follows:

  • 320 x 480 pixel display with picture prompts
  • 3.5″ full-color LCD touchscreen
  • Remote sensors that detect preexisting temperatures and make proper adjustments
  • Free smartphone app for remote access to HVAC controls

Homeowners save nearly a fourth (23%) of their annual energy bills with the Ecobee3, which measures 3.9″ x 0.9″ x 3.9″ and weighs 1.2 pounds.

Nest Learning Thermostat, 2nd Generation

With little doubt, the Nest is the most popular smart thermostat on the market today. The buzz surrounding this innovative device was so strong that Google ultimately purchased the company to get in on the Wi-Fi thermostat market. Powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, the Nest can be installed in under half an hour.

In order to best suit the needs and lifestyle of each individual homeowner, the Nest is equipped with familiarization capabilities. This enables the device to adjust temperatures according to the times of day when your house is occupied.

The many advantages to using the Nest include the following:

  • Auto Away — It shuts off by itself when no one is home, allowing you to save on heating and cooling costs.
  • Auto Schedule — The Nest will remember your favorite temperature settings and adjust rooms accordingly.
  • Easy Install — It takes less than half an hour to install, after which the Nest can easily be programmed for temperature adjustments.

With its second-generation, 20% thinner design, the Nest now works in 95% of houses that run on low voltage, 24V HVAC systems.

Specific stats of the Nest Learning Thermostat are as follows:

  • Color/finish — stainless
  • Dimensions — 6.5″ x 6.5″ x 3.2″
  • Weight — 1.6 pounds
  • Shape — round
  • Material — plastic
  • Requirements — One lithium metal battery (included)

Smart Homes Need Energy Saving Thermostats and Top-Level Service Providers

Like all homeowners, you deserve maximum efficiency from your heating and cooling units without the stress and financial burden of high energy bills and system malfunctions. In today’s world, one of the most effective ways to save money on your heating and cooling costs is with the use of a fully optimal Wi-Fi thermostat like the products discussed in this article.

Most important of all, however, is the level of performance and reliability that you get from your energy service provider. In Pennsylvania and Maryland, residents have relied on Shipley Energy Home Services for consistent, affordable power for over 90 years. Visit us online today for additional information on pricing, to request a home energy audit, or simply to find out more about our various energy service options, including natural gaspropaneelectricityheating oil, and much more.

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