Best Programmable Thermostat

Best Programmable Thermostat to Save Time and Money

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Lately, the year has been very unpredictable. With the current social situation due to the pandemic, the weather has been full of surprises. In February this year, a cold wave swept through the United States down to the deep south with record lows in states like Texas that was hard hit. You may not control the weather, but you can control the temperatures in your house. What better way to get things under control with a programmable thermostat? A programmable thermostat will save you up to 180 bucks every year. Let us take a look at the best programmable thermostat that will save you time and money while keeping your home warm and cozy.

Best Programmable Thermostat

1. ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control

ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control
  • Place SmartSensor in the most important room, like your bedroom,...
  • Smart Home & Away detects your presence and automatically adjusts...
  • Time of Use cools or heats your home during times when energy is...
  • Named “Best Overall Smart Thermostat” by Tom’s Guide
  • Take control of your temperature from anywhere with the ecobee...

The world gets smarter every day, and so should the systems in your home. Ecobee pushes technology to its limits by integrating it into the home discreetly but efficiently. The smart thermostat has smart sensors that can detect when you are home or when you are away to adjust the temperature accordingly. The smart home and away feature saves you money by reducing the energy when you are away and adjusting when you come back home. You can set the time of use on the smart thermostat to automate the process by letting the device do the job for you. You no longer have to manually turn the thermostat up and down when there is a shift in temperature. The thermostat is smart and adjusts accordingly to keep you comfortable without noticing adverse temperature changes in the house.

Ecobee smart thermostats are the best you can find, named the "Best overall thermostat" by Tom's Guide. You can control smart devices from anywhere with a mobile app saving you time and energy, and the app keeps you aware of the energy consumption of the thermostat. The smart thermostat seamlessly integrates with smart systems in the house according to your preference. The smart thermostat can work with a home monitoring subscription that enhances and connects ecobee devices. In addition, the thermostat can integrate with Google Assistant, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and SmartThings. All you need to do is place the thermostat in the most important room to keep it at the perfect temperature.

Pros:

  • Voice control capabilities.
  • Programmable heating and cooling systems.
  • The best smart thermostat, according to Tom's Guide.
  • The smart thermostat saves on energy usage.
  • The thermostat saves you money that you would spend on heating and cooling costs.
  • The thermostat settings are controllable via a mobile app.
  • You can connect the thermostat to other smart home devices.
  • The smart thermostats work with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and SmartThings.

Cons:

  • Your mobile device needs to be connected to the internet for voice control and other smart systems to work.
  • A power outage completely renders the thermostat useless.

2. Google Nest Thermostat E

Google Nest Thermostat E - Programmable Smart...
  • Programmable smart thermostat that learns the temperatures you...
  • Home/Away Assist automatically adjusts itself to an Eco...
  • Remote control lets family members change the temperature on this...
  • The Nest Thermostat E has HVAC monitoring, which looks out for...
  • The Nest Leaf appears when you choose a temperature that saves...

Google offers a 3rd-generation nest thermostat that learns the temperatures you like and programs itself to cater to your comfort needs. The thermostat is the best in the nest category because of how efficiently it integrates into your schedule and programs. The smart thermostat helps you save costs by turning down energy usage when you are away and turning it back up when you get home. The thermostat has a heating and cooling schedule that is controllable via the Nest App on your phone. The thermostat prevents heating and cooling an empty house.

The smart thermostat has an HVAC system that monitors your heating and cooling systems. HVAC sends you alerts when something does not seem right back at home for maximum home safety. The Nest Leaf appears when you choose a temperature that saves energy, reinforcing a good habit. The phone app stores energy history of helping you monitor your consumption and adjust accordingly. The smart thermostat works with a nest temperature sensor that ensures the room is at the intended temperature. The thermostat is compatible with Assistant, Alexa, and other smart speakers, and you can adjust temperatures using your voice.

Pros:

  • The smart thermostat features HVAC systems that alert you when something seems off back at home. The thermostat works with voice control such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and smart speakers.
  • Saves on heating and cooling costs.
  • Best smart thermostats for use in a family setup as they are remotely controlled for everyone's convenience.
  • Smart features including a nest leaf that appears when you choose a temperature that saves energy.
  • You can control temperature settings from your phone.
  • Energy-efficient.
  • Compatible with the google home app.

Cons:

  • The nest temperature sensors are purchased separately.
  • Apps have in-app purchases that cost money.

3. Honeywell Home Smart Thermostat

Sale
Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color...
  • COMFORT COMES IN YOUR COLOR. Personalize your Wi-Fi Smart Color...
  • YOUR SCHEDULE. YOUR WAY. Flexible programming options for your...
  • EASY OPERATION AND INTUITIVE. Bright, easy-to-read touchscreen...
  • WEATHER SCREEN FEATURES. View the daily forecast on the screen,...
  • EASY-TO-USE-APP. Choose from the Total Connect Comfort app or the...

Honeywell Smart color is a smart thermostat for everyone who cares about temperatures in the house and looks. The thermostat can be personalized to the Wi fi to integrate better with the systems in the house. For a smart look, you can change the display on the thermostat's screen to match your decor and keep the wall neat and lovely to look at. The smart thermostat has a flexible scheduling system that can match your programs and stay in sync with your day. In addition, the thermostat monitors the home heating system and adjusts accordingly.

Honeywell has a touchscreen display that other smart thermostats do not have. The screen is bright and easy to read, saving you time and enhancing your experience with the thermostat. You can get smart alerts like the weather forecast on the thermostat. The smart thermostat shows you both the indoors and outdoor humidity, helping you get prepared for the day to avoid any surprises. The thermostat can connect to apps on your phone for easy remote access and control. For example, you can connect the thermostat to the Honeywell Home App or the Total Connect Comfort App to regulate the thermostat remotely. You can get monthly energy reports to help you develop an efficient system that works to your advantage.

Pros:

  • Compatible with smart home systems and devices.
  • Voice control via Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft's Cortana, and more.
  • Backlit display for clear readings.
  • Customizable screen color to fit the wall design.
  • The smart thermostat gives weather notifications and forecasts to prepare you for the day ahead.
  • Smart thermostats can show you the humidity both inside and outside the house.
  • The best smart thermostat for someone with interest in minding the interior looks of a room.
  • Honeywell has 7-day programming that lets you prepare a weekly schedule, saving you valuable time on workdays, unlike many smart thermostats.

Cons:

  • The thermostat is dependent on Wi fi to
  • Give the correct weather forecast and humidity.

4. Emerson Sensi Smart Thermostat

Sale
Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat for Smart Home,...
  • SAVE ABOUT 23% ON HVAC ENERGY*: The ENERGY STAR certified Sensi...
  • MOST INSTALL IN 30 MINUTES OR LESS**: Use the built-in level and...
  • SMART HOME COMPATIBLE: Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant,...
  • USAGE REPORTS: Monitor current day and historical heating,...
  • CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE: Remotely control your home comfort from...

If you are looking to save money, Emersen is your go-to thermostat. The thermostat saves you about 23% on HVAC energy with features like geo sense that helps analyze the room's condition before tending to it. The thermostat is controllable remotely and has app systems that integrate the thermostat with other smart home ecosystems. Unlike a traditional thermostat, Emerson has 7-day flexible scheduling to ensure consistent home heating or cooling. You can fit your schedule onto the thermostat and go about your week hassle-free.

Emerson makes smart home integration easy to achieve. You can connect the thermostat to Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung's SmartThings. However, it would help if you had a c-wire to connect to the Apple system. The smart thermostat's screen displays the details for easy visibility, and you can monitor your energy consumption history using the app on your device. You can monitor the fan run times in the app as well. You can control the thermostat using the Sensi smart mobile app compatible with Android and iOS. You can get alerts in case of extreme changes in humidity and temperature in the house.

Pros:

  • The thermostat is compatible with a smart home system for more efficient and integrated functioning.
  • You can connect the thermostat to other smart devices like your phone for remote control, which is convenient.
  • You can schedule the thermostat for 7-days to help save time.
  • The app will give you alerts in case of extreme changes in temperature and humidity.
  • Remotely control your home's heating.
  • Easy to install.
  • Compatible with home HVAC systems.

Cons:

  • It would help if you had a c-wire to connect to other appliances on the HVAC system.
  • It would help if you had a smartphone to be able to control apps.

5. Google Nest Learning Thermostat

Sale
Google Nest Learning Thermostat - Programmable Smart...
  • Programmable smart thermostat that learns your schedule and the...
  • Home/Away Assist automatically adjusts itself to an Eco...
  • Remote control lets family members change the temperature from...
  • With Energy History, just check your phone to see how much energy...
  • The Nest Leaf appears when you choose a temperature that saves...

Google thermostat learns your schedules and temperatures that you like and programs itself to schedule automatically. The thermostat adjusts itself to an eco-mode when you are away from the house to save energy and costs. The thermostat works with other nest devices for a more integrated and efficient functioning. You can control the thermostat remotely from your phone, tablet, or laptop anywhere you are. Unlike an old thermostat, smart models can analyze how you use your energy. A nest leaf will appear when you use your energy efficiently, giving you positive reinforcement for good habits. The smart thermostat has an HVAC monitoring which looks out for heating and cooling systems in the house. You can get an alarm in case something is not right in your house. The thermostat works with a nest temperature sensor that monitors the temperatures in the room, ensuring the thermostat is working at its most efficient setting. The thermostat looks stylish and elegant on the wall. Google nest learning thermostat has a Quick View that lets you check the energy history, settings, and schedule. The thermostat is compatible with smart home devices for better integration and efficiency.

Pros:

  • Google's most reviewed programmable thermostats.
  • The best nest thermostat for home use because of the easy integration with smart home systems.
  • Best looking nest thermostats.
  • Compatible with home HVAC systems.
  • Remote controlled.
  • The programmable thermostats keep a history of your energy usage, settings, and schedules.
  • The thermostat learns your schedules, preferred temperature, and other settings for self-programming.
  • The thermostat changes to eco-mode to save energy and costs.

Cons:

  • It would help if you had a c-wire to connect to other HVAC system appliances.
  • It would help if you had a smart device and Wi fi to control the device remotely.

Factors to Consider Before Buying Smart Thermostats

a) HVAC and Cooling Systems Compatibility

An HVAC system is responsible for the atmospheric condition in your house. The thermostat should be compatible with these systems for more efficient functioning and easy monitoring of temperature and humidity in the house. A compatible thermostat will alert you in case of any adverse changes in humidity or temperature, and a good thermostat should integrate with ventilation systems in the house like the power extender kit and other appliances. You may need a c-wire to connect the thermostat to some systems. Loom for a professional HVAC technician to help with installation.

b) Remote Control

Most smart thermostats are controlled remotely by smart devices. You do not have to be home to change any settings physically. You can install apps that are compatible with the thermostat and control the settings from anywhere. A thermostat that has voice control or a built-in smart speaker is better. You can incorporate Alexa, Cortana, Google Assistant, or Samsung's SmartThings to make the system more interactive. Smart home platforms give you analytics that can help you make a decision when changing the settings.

c) 7-Day Schedule

Programmable thermostats should have a feature that gives you the option of scheduling days in advance. The schedule saves you time as you can get busy during the day. You do not have to be physically in the house to adjust when you can have them done in advance. Temperature schedules help you go about your businesses without worrying. A learning thermostat will learn your preferences and automatically adjust.

d) Eco-Mode

An eco-mode uses room sensors to ensure minimum energy consumption when there is no one in the house. This feature saves on costs and energy lost when no one needs to be using the thermostat. A good thermostat should have remote sensors that tell it the exact temperatures for appropriate adjustments for the best energy savings.

e) LED Screen

Temperature and humidity are vital elements of the atmosphere. All the latest smart thermostats have an LED that displays temperature and comes in handy during the night. The screen should show the current temperature, settings, and other features like Wi-fi signals and other devices.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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