Best Smart Ac Thermostat In 2023: Top Picks of June

What exactly is an intelligent thermostat?

A smart thermostat is a programmable device that maintains a comfortable environment (while you're present) while saving money on heating and cooling costs (when you're not). Smart thermostats are classified into the following categories based on their respective technologies:

When you're not at home, the Ecobee 3 and other motion-sensor thermostats can detect it and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Honeywell Lyric and other geofencing thermostats use the GPS on your smartphone to determine whether you're at home or away and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Learning thermostats, such as the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, may adapt to your schedule and habits in order to maintain a comfortable environment.

You should be able to configure your ideal smart thermostat in just a few minutes. Several of them can be set up and installed in under an hour, which is fantastic news for homeowners; however, those who are less handy can always hire a professional.

The question then becomes whether the initial and ongoing costs of installing and using a smart thermostat are worthwhile. The expert consensus is unanimously positive. Smart thermostats are an excellent way to reduce utility costs. They have a low barrier to entry and a high rate of return.

Things to Think About When Purchasing a Smart Thermostat

Before purchasing a smart thermostat, you should conduct some preliminary research.

Compatibility of A/C and heating systems

Check to see if the smart thermostat is compatible with your current climate control setup. It is common for retailers to indicate on the product page whether a programmable thermostat is compatible with zonal systems, heat pumps, or cooling-only systems.

The distinctions between low- and high-voltage systems

Most smart thermostats can run on low-voltage (12-24V) rather than high-voltage (120-240V) or line-voltage systems. If you have a single thermostat for heating and cooling, a low-voltage system is a norm. If you have to manually turn on each radiator or baseboard heater in the house, you have a high-voltage system. 5

C-wire

A c-wire, also known as a common wire, is a reliable source of electricity for your thermostat. If your thermostat lacks a c-wire, you can use a battery or have it receive a power boost whenever the HVAC system is turned on. Smart thermostats, due to their significantly higher power consumption, must be hardwired into a constant power source, such as a c-wire. Most of the smart thermostats we looked at included an optional power adaptor kit, allowing them to be installed even if no c-wire was already in place. 6

ACC-/ACC+

These, also known as auxiliary wires or star terminals, are required by a whole-house dehumidifier or ventilation system. Terminal compatibility should not be taken for granted in a smart thermostat. 

If you're still unsure, you can consult the thermostat manufacturer's website for a compatibility guide. All of the instructions are simple, but you will need to disassemble your old thermostat and trace the wiring.

An alternative power source

Having to re-adjust your thermostat settings every time the power goes out is inconvenient. If you frequently experience power outages or tripped breakers, look for a thermostat with a battery backup. It's not common among smart thermostats, but when it's available, it's a welcome addition.

Smoke/CO alarms that work in tandem

Smoke detectors play an important role in fire prevention, and smart thermostats help prevent additional damage by turning off the HVAC system's fans. As a result, smoke and fire may spread more slowly, giving you more time to exit the building.

Both your smart smoke detector and smart thermostat must use the same protocols in order to be automated. As a result, in our reviews, we emphasized the thermostat's compatibility with other smart home and home security devices.

Temperature sensors in action

Your thermostat's temperature sensor regulates the operation of your heating and cooling system. However, if you place your thermostat in a drafty or warm room, you may notice unwelcome temperature differences throughout the house.

If this describes you, a smart thermostat with remote temperature sensors could be exactly what you need. Place them in different rooms to provide more information to your thermostat before it decides to turn on the heat or air conditioning. If the hot and cold spots persist, dampers could be installed in the air conditioning and heating ducts. That should be handled by someone with experience.

It's also important to think about how many different remote temperature sensors the thermostat can support. According to our observations, the bare minimum number of remote sensors supported by a smart thermostat is six. Some people can multiply that number by four.

Occupancy sensors and geofencing

If you want to save money and energy, look for smart thermostat technology that can detect when you are not at home.

An occupancy sensor is preferable for families. The sensor can be housed within the thermostat or in a separate set of remote temperature sensors. It uses infrared sensors to detect whether or not someone is in the vicinity. Thermostats have energy-saving features that reduce the temperature when no one is present.

Geofencing uses the location of your phone to determine when you leave a specific area, such as your home. Those who never disable their phone's location services will not benefit. A smart thermostat, on the other hand, can anticipate your return and adjust the temperature to your liking before you even step inside.

Learning thermostats for smart thermostats

Learning thermostats are uncommon. So far, only four have received widespread attention: the Amazon Smart Thermostat, the Honeywell T9, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, and the Google Nest Learning Thermostat.

These thermostats do not require programming. Instead, they pick up on your habits, such as getting up at 6:30 every morning and taking a walk around the house. They may set Home, Away, and Sleep modes if you give them enough time to learn your routine. For example, the thermostat could be set to turn on at 6 a.m. to keep the kitchen warm and toasty for breakfast.

All learning thermostats use occupancy sensors and geofencing, but not all thermostats with these features are learning thermostats. The distinction between a learning thermostat, which predicts your heating and cooling needs based on your behaviors, and a non-learning thermostat, which merely responds to occupancy and geolocation data, is subtle. Make sure to choose one that meets your expectations.

Routine maintenance alerts and notifications

A new high-tech thermostat isn't worth the money if it doesn't make HVAC repairs and maintenance easier. Look for one that notifies you when it's time to change the air filter, UV light (if applicable), and tire oil. The best programmable thermostats will also notify you when the temperature drops below freezing or when the heating and cooling system runs for an extended period of time.

Do smart thermostats work with air conditioners?

While the majority of smart thermostats are designed for use with central air conditioning systems, a subset of devices can manage window and portable air conditioners (the type that sits on your window sill).

Do smart thermostats use more electricity?

Installing a high-quality smart thermostat can significantly reduce your energy consumption. Certain programmable thermostats, such as the Ecobee, can save up to 23% on energy costs. This could result in annual savings of several hundred dollars. Installing a smart thermostat can only benefit you as a homeowner.

Should the thermostat be in the master bedroom?

With its regular use and lack of draft, the hallway outside the master bedroom is an ideal location for a thermostat. For that reason, it gives a more reliable assessment of the room temperature in your residence.

The best smart ac thermostat remembers your heating and cooling preferences, allowing you to save time and money on energy costs. It can be easily connected to your phone or home security system, allowing it to detect when you are not present and set the temperature to a comfortable level.

It's not the cheapest thermostat on the market, but its sleek, modern design and high-tech features more than makeup for it.