Latest news with #smartthermostat
CNET
15 hours ago
- Climate
- CNET
Top 5 Tips to Get Your Smart Thermostat to Beat the Summer Heat
The time for vacations, pools and school breaks is here. With all the excitement and freedom of the season, also come some very high temperatures. Luckily for your energy bill, if you have a smart thermostat, there are some ways you can adjust your settings for your home to give you some savings. Smart thermostats excel at this kind of response, from automated changes to easy app updates even if you aren't home. These recommendations will have you set for the heat to come. Read more: The Best Smart Thermostats for Your Home 1. Set 'at home' heating to 68 Fahrenheit Set your thermostat to 68°F or below when winter comes knocking. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Check your summer scheduling in your app settings (such as the Ecobee app or the Google Home or Apple Home app) and use your scheduling options to set the daytime temperature -- when everyone will be home -- to 76 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. That's enough to keep the house cool without overheating or wasting energy. If you like the heat and can get a reliable breeze by opening windows, you may be able to bump settings up to 80 degrees or so to save more money. But when outdoor temperatures start soaring well above 80 degrees, close the windows so they don't dilute your cool air. Important note: Some US cities have cooling regulations that indicate thermostats can't be set above a certain temperature. They usually do this to prevent landlords from risking the health of the elderly or pets in an effort to save money during the hottest days. Check your city to see if it has any of these laws in place. 2. Set 'away/asleep' heating at 82 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit Google Home makes it easy to apply weekly schedules in minutes. Tyler Lacoma/CNET When everyone is out of the house for work or school, or asleep with a healthy dose of blankets, set your temperature trigger to between 82 and 85 Fahrenheit, depending on what feels the most comfortable. Lower temperatures are typically better when you're sleeping, while the house can usually endure higher temperatures when everyone is away -- although you should also think about what keeps your pets comfortable. Of course, we know that for some, sleeping when you're too hot is impossible. That's why it's also a good idea to remove some bedding for summer and crack open a window when temperatures get lower. Try to avoid setting up indoor rotating fans or similar solutions, as they'll eat into your electricity bill. 3. Turn on your Eco/CNET Most smart thermostats have an Eco mode or a recommended mode for saving as much money as possible. Ecobee even has an Eco Plus mode that adjusts cooling based on local electricity use in peak hours to save more energy. Enable these modes and apply them to your thermostat settings to see their suggestions. Nest thermostats, for example, have a green leaf icon that shows exactly when you're starting to save to make things easier. Usually, Eco modes are the best way to save on your bills without thinking about it and they tend to be reasonable. My Google Nest Thermostat Gen 4, for example, usually sets my "hold" eco mode to 82 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day and can be adjusted from there. These modes combine well with learning modes that keep track of your manual preferences and home activity to automate savings suggestions over time. 4. Create a vacation mode Ecobee offers a dedicated vacation mode for its smart thermostat. Ecobee/CNET If your smart thermostat supports a vacation mode or alternate mode, set it up so that this alternate schedule is ready for summer trips. You may want it a little cooler in the day than your full away mode settings to help keep pets and plants comfortable, but maximize your savings by skipping any "at home" temperature bumps. If no one is at home and you're confident your house can withstand anything, close the shades and turn the cooling off entirely. Note that the Nest thermostat doesn't have a full alternate scheduling option but you can choose the "Add event" option for a similar result when creating your vacation plans. Read more: Home Security Prep If You're Taking a Trip 5. Move your satellite sensor to a common room Newer smart thermostats often come with a satellite temperature sensor that makes cooling decisions based on location. Nest Newer smart thermostats often come with a satellite temperature sensor or let you buy one as an add-on (here's a Nest version for $40). This allows the thermostat to make cooling decisions based on a different location beyond the often-central thermostat installation. That can be very useful if parts of your home stay too hot (living rooms with lots of electronics, kitchens with active ovens, etc.) while air near the thermostat cools down too quickly. However, be careful with this method because it could cost you more money in the long run (which may be a small price to pay for your comfort). To save money, you can move the sensor to the coolest room, such as a bedroom at night with the windows open. Complete your home prep by learning if a space heater can help you save money and your home checklist for leaving on vacation.
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
Regular vs. Smart Thermostats: My Complete Guide for Newbies
Smart thermostats look pretty, but that's far from all they do. If you're thinking about switching to a smart thermostat that includes an app and other tech, you deserve to know what the big differences are -- and if it's really worth it to drop money on one. As Adina Roth, product lead for the Nest Learning Thermostat, says, "The most amazing part of a smart thermostat is the ability to keep your home at a comfortable temperature and balance energy usage. Upon device and permissions set-up, Nest Learning Thermostat can automatically leverage things like outside weather and times when no one is home to respond accurately and efficiently to your home's individual needs." I'm going over the big differences between the standard thermostat you have now and what you'll get if you upgrade to a smart thermostat. Yes, the savings are real, but that's only part of the story. Scheduled heating and cooling Thermostats like Ecobee's allow for easier scheduling from a distance. Ecobee Both smart and traditional thermostats have programmable settings, letting you set temperature thresholds for specific hours and specific days of the week, and changing them as seasons change. The biggest difference is that smart thermostats make this much easier. With old programmable thermostats, you're mostly stuck doing programming with the thermostats' manual controls. Smart thermostats allow you to set schedules from the app, no matter where you are, and you can usually save and switch between schedules on the fly, making the process significantly smoother. Read more: Don't Put Your Thermostat In These Places Costs You can find a standard programmable thermostat without any bells and whistles for under $20 from brands like Honeywell Home (although those with fancy touchscreens will cost more), so they're an easy way to save money if you need a replacement. Smart thermostats, with all their added features, cost significantly more. Amazon has one of the cheapest for under $100, but for something like Nest's 4th-gen Learning Thermostat, you'll have to pay close to $300. If you're worried about initial costs, regular thermostats cost a whole lot less than smart thermostats. Honeywell Home Energy savings Programmable thermostats will save you money, as long as you stay within strict temperature settings at certain times of day and night. Smart thermostats don't necessarily save more, but they make saving money so much easier that houses tend to save more as a result, since very few users have time to constantly adjust a standard thermostat for maximum savings. With settings like eco modes and monthly reports on energy savings, smart thermostats tend to save the average household significant amounts of money. Google Nest studies have estimated the average user saves around 15% on energy bills annually, while Ecobee says users can save up to 26% at the high end. That's easily enough to cover the initial costs of a smart thermostat in a year or two. Some smart thermostats are very pretty, but its their control options that matter. Google Nest Remote operation A regular thermostat doesn't have app connections and will, at most, have a remote control you can use from across the house. Smart thermostats, meanwhile, have Wi-Fi connections and apps. That means that as long as you have your phone and a connection, you can make thermostat changes. For some people, this is an important feature -- they can adjust the temperature while on vacation or if they forget while away from home. Others are fine making changes only when they're at home. Automatic learning and adjusting A regular thermostat will heat or cool your home exactly when and how you tell it to. So will a smart thermostat -- unless you enable its smarter features. Smart thermostats include learning algorithms and sensors that study activity in the house, like when people get up in the morning and start moving around. With basic data like this, smart thermostats can start making adjustments about when to raise the heat or start cooling off, and when to hold back because there's no one at home. Essentially, they can schedule themselves and respond to significant changes in habits. Also, many new smart thermostats come with satellite sensors that you can place in specific rooms that traditional thermostats may not be able to "read" very well, increasing their temp-sensing accuracy. Ecobee's thermostat with its sensor. Ecobee Energy savings Programmable thermostats will save you money, as long as you stay within strict temperature settings at certain times of day and night. Smart thermostats don't necessarily save more, but they make saving money so much easier that houses tend to save more as a result, since very few users have time to constantly adjust a standard thermostat for maximum savings. With settings like eco modes and monthly reports on energy savings, smart thermostats tend to save the average household significant amounts of money. Google Nest studies have estimated the average user saves around 15% on energy bills annually, while Ecobee says users can save up to 26% at the high end. That's easily enough to cover the initial costs of a smart thermostat in a year or two. Installation Both smart and standard thermostats are installed the same way -- by connecting various wires to the thermostat's base plate. Both offer professional installation services as well, so there's not much difference here. The biggest difference is that smart thermostats won't work as well with every home system. For example, smart thermostats won't make a huge difference if you use radiant floor heating as your primary heat source (it's slower to respond and doesn't affect thermostat sensors the same way), so you may as well save money with a simpler thermostat. Thermostat sensors can go anywhere to monitor specific temperatures. Google Nest Connections to other devices Smart thermostats can often connect to other smart home technology, including security hubs and customized triggers, through platforms like IFTTT or Controller for HomeKit. Since smart thermostats tend to have extra sensors for humidity or air quality, they can trigger things like air purifiers, fans, dehumidifiers and more. Some smart thermostats even come with built-in voice assistants, while most at least support voice assistant control through Alexa, Google's voice assistant and more. Regular thermostats don't have any of these connections, so you can't usually connect them to home routines or set temperature triggers for other devices. Many smart thermostats can work with voice assistants too. Ecobee Bottom line Smart thermostats make saving money much easier than regular thermostats and come with plenty of extra bells and whistles, including opportunities to connect them to voice assistants and other smart home devices. They're also sleek, smart devices that display personalized info about your home and weather, while learning your habits and automatically adjusting heating or cooling -- no micromanagement needed. Plus, unlike regular thermostats, you can control them from anywhere. In return, the big drawback of smart thermostats is that they cost a whole lot more than a regular thermostat replacement would, although they do tend to pay for themselves within a year or two. However, not everyone is comfortable using an app for scheduling or letting a smart thermostat make changes itself, so some users may find themselves uncomfortable with the change. Ready to learn even more? See our guide on the best settings to use on your smart thermostat for the season, the easiest steps to save on heating and cooling bills, and the best smart home devices overall.
CNET
5 days ago
- Business
- CNET
I Found Out Exactly How Much Money Smart Thermostats Save Us
Smart thermostats automate themselves, give you app controls, and plenty more fun tricks -- but it's all in service of saving on your energy bills. For buyers who may be spending upward of $250 for a new thermostat, the big question is "OK, how much money will I save?" I found out, both from my own experiments on when my pricey smart thermostat will pay for itself, and by asking the thermostat experts about their own research. Now I have the numbers. Adina Roth, product lead for the Nest Learning Thermostat, told me, "Some of my favorite features that I notice improve savings are the automatic adjustments with Smart Schedule, Auto-Eco energy-saving shifts and Seasonal Savings." Nest isn't the only thermostat that has these features, either. Smart models from Ecobee, Honeywell Home, Amazon and others have similar modes. Here's what that looks like for your wallet. Read more: Renters Can Buy Smart Thermostats Too, But They May Want to Hurry How smart thermostats save money Thermostat sensors can go anywhere to monitor specific temperatures. Google Nest Smart thermostat savings come in two parts. First, you save money by implementing heating and cooling settings that lower the house's energy usage. Technically, you can do this with any thermostat, but smart thermostats make it especially easy with their eco modes and suggestions, which means the average user typically starts saving more money when they adopt a smart thermostat. The second part of savings involves more unique smart thermostat capabilities, such as learning algorithms and portable wireless sensors. Learning capabilities on today's smart thermostats can collect data on when activities start and end in the house, and then start making programming adjustments themselves based on when people get up in the morning, when they arrive home, how their activities change over the weekend, and so on. Added together, that usually leads to more accurate implementation of eco modes and lowered settings that save money. Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or below when winter comes knocking. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Greg Fyke, president and CEO at Ecobee, explained a little more about how features like these save money with minimal effort. "For example, if you leave for work at 8 a.m., our smart thermostats can proactively lower the temperature while you are away to conserve energy and preheat or precool your home to ensure that your house is at your desired temperature when you return. This means lower utility bills and a more efficient home without sacrificing comfort." The wireless satellite sensors also help, as they allow smart thermostats to turn off heating/cooling not based on where the thermostat is, but where the sensor is placed. If that's an especially cool or warm spot (like a hot living room on movie night), the thermostat shuts down early enough to save more money. Average annual savings from a smart thermostat Nest's thermostat is pretty but the real advantage is the savings inside. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Combined, these features add up to notable savings. Google Nest's research, for instance, showed that users of the Nest Learning Thermostat saved an average of 12% to 15% per year without making other major changes. That works out to between $131 and $145 dollars annually, not too shabby for a single device upgrade. When I asked Ecobee, they reported that users could save up to 26% by installing one of their smart thermostats. That's a high-end example, but if it works out, people could save around $250 a year by making the switch -- especially if they haven't done much thermostat optimization before. Keep in mind, these numbers also work for renters who pay for their electricity. However, renters will probably need to get permission to install a smart thermostat. Paying off a smart thermostat Learning thermostats tend to pay for themselves. Google/CNET It's also important to consider the initial cost of a smart thermostat. Prices can range from around $100 for the cheapest models to more than $350 for top models with all the bells and whistles. The good news is that thanks to the average savings, almost every smart thermostat purchase will pay for itself within a year or two. Then your smart thermostat can really start saving you money. Participating in a peak usage program Smart displays can control compatible thermostats with a touch. Google Nest/CNET There's also another option to save even more money with a smart thermostat. When I talked to the nonprofit Energy Trust of Oregon, its spokesperson mentioned that users could go the extra mile and link up a smart thermostat with programs called "Connected Savings or similar names. These programs allow utility companies to make minor adjustments to your thermostat during peak use hours or special events to help save money and earn energy discounts. The problem is that you do have to give up some control, and you can't guarantee the utility companies won't make your house uncomfortable to live in (from what we and Reddit have seen, their decision-making can vary greatly). If you don't want to connect with utility companies directly, Ecobee offers an interesting alternative. It lets you connect with its Community Energy Savings program, which is very similar but basically takes care of the details for you. Ecobee reports you can earn up to $125 extra as a gift for participating in the program. What about rebates? Ecobee's Smart Thermostat Premium may be available with rebates in the right locations. Jon Reed/CNET We can't guarantee rebates or incentives to buy a smart thermostat, but it's a really good idea to look for them in your local programs. Many utility companies offer a rebate just for buying a smart thermostat, especially if it's Energy Star-rated (as many are). A number of power company websites will have a list of thermostat models that qualify, or more information about how to participate. On your way to saving money, stop by our guide to the easiest ways to save energy around the home, how smart plugs can help you save energy and quick spring tricks for device management.
CNET
02-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Want to Cut Down Your Electricity Bill? Try Turning Off the Lights
As summer temperatures continue to break records each year, staying cool is more difficult than ever before. A fan or air conditioner can keep you comfortable, but it comes with a higher electric bill. With rising energy costs, you might be looking for easy ways to save money and stay on budget. Thankfully there's an easy hack that can help lower your energy bill without melting in the process. A recent CNET survey found 78% of Americans are stressed about high home energy bills. When you add the cost of rising rent, higher mortgage rates, pricier groceries and tariffs raising the cost of goods across the board, there are plenty of reasons to stress. However, even when everyday items have become more expensive, there are some ways to make your budget stretch a bit further. One of the easiest and most effective ways to save some money and reduce your energy bill is by turning off your lights when you aren't using them. Keep reading to learn why it's important to turn off the lights and how much money this simple habit can save you. For more, we also recommend investing in a smart plug or a smart thermostat, adjusting the temperature of your thermostat and weatherstripping to save extra cash.) Why should you turn off the lights? You've probably been told time and time again the importance of conserving energy, but you might be wondering why it's so important. First, reducing your energy usage by turning off your lights is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint. Electricity generation is one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. By turning off your lights when you aren't using them, you can do your part to reduce carbon emissions and therefore help the environment. Second, reducing your home's energy usage doesn't just help the environment. It also helps your wallet. Turning off lights when you don't need them can help to reduce your electricity bills. You'll also extend the life of your light bulbs, which will save you money as well. Pro savings tip Buying a smart lightbulb can help you conserve energy by setting your lights to go on and off at certain times, so no more falling asleep with all the lights left on overnight. The Wiz tunable white LED smart bulb is CNET's pick for the best white-light smart bulb. Details $9 at Amazon How much money can you save? The amount you can save on your electricity bill by turning off your lights depends on the type of light bulb you use. You can figure your potential savings using the light bulb's wattage. Let's say you have a light bulb that's 40 watts, meaning in one hour, the bulb will use 0.04 kWh. Then, you can use your electricity price — which you can find on your most recent utility bill — to figure out how much you'll save for that hour. In the case of the 40-watt bulb, if you pay an electricity rate of 10 cents per kWh, your savings by turning that bulb off for one hour would be 0.4 cents. It's easy to see that number and think it's simply not worth it to turn off your lights more often. After all, what difference does 0.4 cents make? First, remember that estimate is for a 40-watt bulb. If you have higher-wattage light bulbs, the savings will be greater. Next, that estimate uses an energy price of 10 cents per kWh, but in many areas, the price of electricity may be higher than that. Finally, our estimate looked at the savings of turning off one bulb for one hour. You likely have many light bulbs in your house, and there are far more than just one hour in a month. So when you calculate the savings of turning off all of your light bulbs for many more hours per month, your savings will increase significantly. When should you turn off the lights? You can save money by turning off your lights and fans whenever you don't need them. During the spring and summer, it's a good idea to check in on the peak and off-peak energy hours in your area. Many providers use a time-of-use electricity plan where energy costs rise during peak hours, or hours where the grid is facing higher demand, and lower during off-peak hours. These hours change depending on the seasons, so transitioning between seasons is a good time to check in on when you're paying the most for energy. During peak hours, usually during the afternoons in the summer while in the early morning and in the evenings after sunset during winter, it's helpful to be especially diligent in turning off lights and other electronic appliances when you leave a room to cut down on your energy bill. Thankfully, during the spring and summer, Daylight Saving Time is in effect, which means more daylight and less need to have the lights on in your home. A small change can yield big savings Turning off the lights and other electric appliances when you aren't using them is one of the most basic steps you can take to reduce your energy usage and save money on your electricity bill. Just remember that even a small change can add up to big energy savings for you and also help reduce your carbon footprint. More money-saving tips for you
CNET
31-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
My Top 5 Smart Thermostat Tips to Beat the Summer Heat
It's not summer yet but the West Cost is already bracing for its first heat wave of the year, with other regions not far behind. I'm worried your smart thermostat may not be caught up on summer temperatures. Fortunately, the right changes to your settings can prep your home while ensuring you keep on saving money without your AC going off the rails. Smart thermostats excel at this kind of response, from automated changes to easy app updates even if you aren't home. These recommendations will have you set for the heat to come. Read more: The Best Smart Thermostats for Your Home 1. Set 'at home' heating to 68 Fahrenheit Set your thermostat to 68°F or below when winter comes knocking. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Check your summer scheduling in your app settings (such as the Ecobee app or the Google Home or Apple Home app) and use your scheduling options to set the daytime temperature -- when everyone will be home -- to 76 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. That's enough to keep the house cool without overheating or wasting energy. If you like the heat and can get a reliable breeze by opening windows, you may be able to bump settings up to 80 degrees or so to save more money. But when outdoor temperatures start soaring well above 80 degrees, close the windows so they don't dilute your cool air. Important note: Some US cities have cooling regulations that indicate thermostats can't be set above a certain temperature. They usually do this to prevent landlords from risking the health of the elderly or pets in an effort to save money during the hottest days. Check your city to see if it has any of these laws in place. 2. Set 'away/asleep' heating at 82 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit Google Home makes it easy to apply weekly schedules in minutes. Tyler Lacoma/CNET When everyone is out of the house for work or school, or asleep with a healthy dose of blankets, set your temperature trigger to between 82 and 85 Fahrenheit, depending on what feels the most comfortable. Lower temperatures are typically better when you're sleeping, while the house can usually endure higher temperatures when everyone is away -- although you should also think about what keeps your pets comfortable. Of course, we know that for some, sleeping when you're too hot is impossible. That's why it's also a good idea to remove some bedding for summer and crack open a window when temperatures get lower. Try to avoid setting up indoor rotating fans or similar solutions, as they'll eat into your electricity bill. 3. Turn on your Eco/CNET Most smart thermostats have an Eco mode or a recommended mode for saving as much money as possible. Ecobee even has an Eco Plus mode that adjusts cooling based on local electricity use in peak hours to save more energy. Enable these modes and apply them to your thermostat settings to see their suggestions. Nest thermostats, for example, have a green leaf icon that shows exactly when you're starting to save to make things easier. Usually, Eco modes are the best way to save on your bills without thinking about it and they tend to be reasonable. My Google Nest Thermostat Gen 4, for example, usually sets my "hold" eco mode to 82 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day and can be adjusted from there. These modes combine well with learning modes that keep track of your manual preferences and home activity to automate savings suggestions over time. 4. Create a vacation mode Ecobee offers a dedicated vacation mode for its smart thermostat. Ecobee/CNET If your smart thermostat supports a vacation mode or alternate mode, set it up so that this alternate schedule is ready for summer trips. You may want it a little cooler in the day than your full away mode settings to help keep pets and plants comfortable, but maximize your savings by skipping any "at home" temperature bumps. If no one is at home and you're confident your house can withstand anything, close the shades and turn the cooling off entirely. Note that the Nest thermostat doesn't have a full alternate scheduling option but you can choose the "Add event" option for a similar result when creating your vacation plans. Read more: Home Security Prep If You're Taking a Trip 5. Move your satellite sensor to a common room Newer smart thermostats often come with a satellite temperature sensor that makes cooling decisions based on location. Nest Newer smart thermostats often come with a satellite temperature sensor or let you buy one as an add-on (here's a Nest version for $40). This allows the thermostat to make cooling decisions based on a different location beyond the often-central thermostat installation. That can be very useful if parts of your home stay too hot (living rooms with lots of electronics, kitchens with active ovens, etc.) while air near the thermostat cools down too quickly. However, be careful with this method because it could cost you more money in the long run (which may be a small price to pay for your comfort). To save money, you can move the sensor to the coolest room, such as a bedroom at night with the windows open. Complete your home prep by learning if a space heater can help you save money and your home checklist for leaving on vacation.
