Why You Can Trust CNET Best Deals on Smart Thermostats: Decrease Your Energy Bill With Savings on Tons of Options
Not only is a smart thermostat a cool upgrade for your home, it can help you save on your utility bill, too.
The cost of living seems to rise every day, and saving money on utilities can help offset those ever-increasing costs. One way to start is to cut down on your energy bill by investing in a smart thermostat. Some of these thermostats can even learn when to automatically adjust your home's heat or air conditioning based on factors like your typical daily schedule or times of day when power is cheapest. This means you can save a little money with less work.
With some models going for $200 or more, these things do take an upfront investment. But if you're a budget-conscious buyer, there are always deals out there that'll help you pick one up for less. We've rounded up some of the best smart thermostat bargains currently available and will update this page as deals come and go.
Best smart thermostat deals
Those aiming to balance smarts and price need not look further than the Google Nest Thermostat. The attractively designed thermostat offers Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support, easy scheduling options and tips on how you could tweak your usage to save some cash. While it doesn't adapt to your habits automatically as the Nest Learning Thermostat does, it's half the price and boasts most of the features the average homeowner needs.
With a color display and touchscreen controls, the Emerson Sensi Touch is an inexpensive option worth considering, and now it's discounted even more. Despite its relatively low price, this device doesn't skimp on smart features and has support for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is Google's premier thermostat. You get all the functionality of the cheaper Nest thermostat and a few more bells and whistles. The Learning Thermostat works with Google Assistant and Alexa and learns your schedule to make adjustments to your heating and cooling settings accordingly.
The Honeywell Home T9 smart thermostat works with Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit, and offers reliable performance with a solid app. The device also pairs with Honeywell's remote humidity, proximity and temperature sensors, which are some of the smartest sensor accessories around. This smart thermostat and sensor bundle detects when people are in a room and keeps the temperature comfortable.
This is a Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-enabled thermostat that works with Alexa and Google Home and has a touchscreen display. It doesn't require a C-wire, which should make for easier installation compared to some of the other smart thermostats listed here. It's currently available for $20 off with a Best Buy Plus membership.
Can a smart thermostat actually lower my bills?
Replacing your standard thermostat with a smarter alternative without modifying your usage habits won't automatically reduce your energy bills. That being said, smart thermostats offer a variety of features that can help figure out changes you can make to your energy usage patterns to help shave a few bucks off your bills.
These include simple scheduling features that are probably easier to use than the ones offered by your old-school thermostat, as well as smart home and away modes that automatically adjust energy usage based on your proximity.
Outside of smart features, the extra information and more accessible controls provided by a smart thermostat allow you to be more readily able to make the most of opportunities to save some energy and cash.
How easy is it to install a smart thermostat?
A smart thermostat's ease of installation can vary greatly and depends on your existing HVAC system and the thermostat you choose to go with. If you're not comfortable with minor electrical work, it's always best to call in a professional electrician.
Most smart thermostats do offer step-by-step guidance for a DIY installation and can be completed by anyone comfortable with some basic wiring. Our guide to installing the Nest Smart Thermostat can give you an idea of the process, although it may vary for different systems and thermostat options.
Before you buy any smart thermostat, it's best to check that it's compatible with your HVAC system.