You probably know that a smart thermostat can help you save energy costs by not cooling or heating your house when you’re out. However, smart thermostats aren’t a one-trick pony. They have many more features that will make your life more convenient.
1. Smart Thermostats Know the Temperature Everywhere
While conventional thermostats only monitor the temperature in one room, smart thermostats know the temperature of several of your rooms and even the temperature outside. Your smart thermostat may use weather information to decide what’s the best temperature to set your home to, whether for your comfort or to save you energy costs. After all, the further your home temperature is from the outdoor temperature, the more energy you use.
2. Smart Thermostats Alert You to Problems
Not all smart thermostats have this capability, but the Ecobee3 will alert you if it senses something is wrong with your air conditioner or furnace. If your temperature isn’t dropping as fast as the thermostat expects it to, your AC may be broken. It’s much more convenient to discover that from an alert in your app than by walking into a sweltering home.
Plus, because the Ecobee3 is hardwired into your home, instead of relying on your HVAC system for power. It will still work when your system is broken so you can be sure you’ll actually get the alert.
Your smart thermostat also offers alerts reminding you to maintain your HVAC equipment or details about how much energy you’ve saved, but only if you want it to.
3. You Can Control Your Humidity With Your Smart Thermostat
Your smart thermostat can connect with your dehumidifier and regulate your home’s humidity just like it’s temperature. Not only can humidity control make you more comfortable, but it can also prevent ice from forming on your windows or mold from growing in your home. If you don’t have a dehumidifier, your smart thermostat can use your air conditioner strategically to limit humidity.
4. Smart Thermostats Detect If You Come Home Early
Would a smart thermostat really be “smart” if it always followed your programming? Sometimes you have to change your plans and come home early or late. The motion detectors on smart thermostats help it determine if you’re still home or have arrived back early. Some smart thermostats have more advanced mechanisms to tell if you’re headed home early, and will start getting your home ready for you without you lifting a finger.
5. Smart Thermostats Integrate with Voice Services
Not all smart thermostats connect you to a voice service, but Ecobee4 does. It comes with Alexa built-in (no Echo required) allowing you to ask questions, order food, and more. Don’t like Alexa? Ecobee4 works with Apple Home Kit, Google Assistant and Microsoft’s Cortana. With these voice services, you’ll also be able to change your temperature simply by asking! The Ecobee4 can integrate with other smart home devices, making each more convenient. That includes Hue lighting, Kevo door locks, Nest cameras, Smart Things, and IFTTT. Whatever kind of smart home you want to achieve, your smart thermostat can be the foundation that supports each service.
