Should I get a "smart" thermostat?

[iamthewalrus_3]

You can get a functional programmable thermostat for $20, a really nice one for $50, and it takes maybe 10 minutes to program.

So, is the extra $150+ for the Nest worth it? Not for me, but probably for some people.

[hajario]

@iamthewalrus_3

You can get a functional programmable thermostat for $20, a really nice one for $50, and it takes maybe 10 minutes to program.

So, is the extra $150+ for the Nest worth it? Not for me, but probably for some people.

Those aren’t “smart” thermostats which is what was asked about in the OP. The cheapie WiFi enabled ones start at $90 and you can still get a nice one for a lot cheaper than a Nest though. I love how they look, you get free software updates and the UI is really nice. It’s a nerd indulgence.

[Slash1972]

@Mean_Mr.Mustard

I have a Sensi and I absolutely love it.

I’ll admit I bought it more for its gimmickry but I’ve come to rely on and appreciate its usefulness.

Also, I have had it around two years and it has been reliable every step of the way.
mmm

I also have this, purchased to use with the Amazon Echo. That became too much trouble, it’s just easier to get up and change the temperature by 1 degree or so myself. I don’t use the phone app for the same reason, and I don’t (GASP!) always have my phone right next to me.

[Spiderman]

@LSLGuy

For years I’ve owned residences that came with thermostats that section each day into 4 segments, and have one 4-part program for Mon-Fri, another for Sat, and another for Sun. You can choose the start time and the temp to maintain for each of the 4 segments on each of the three types of day.

Programmable thermostats come in 5/2, 5/1/1 & 7 day programmable versions. If you have set, but different weekday schedules, the 7-day is the way to go.
I also don’t live with my phone attached to me, nor do I spend lots of time in the room where the thermostat is on the wall. I just don’t see the purpose of a Nest, other than considering it a toy, an expensive toy that’s probably more work than walking over to the box on the wall & pressing either the <Up> or <Down> temporary adjustment buttons when necessary.

[John_Mace]

@hajario

Those aren’t “smart” thermostats which is what was asked about in the OP. The cheapie WiFi enabled ones start at $90 and you can still get a nice one for a lot cheaper than a Nest though. I love how they look, you get free software updates and the UI is really nice. It’s a nerd indulgence.

Emphasis added. I think that’s a great summary. They look way cool, and they do way more than 99% of folks need, but hey, technology is good, right?

[LSLGuy]

@Spiderman

… I just don’t see the purpose of a Nest, other than considering it a toy, an expensive toy that’s probably more work than walking over to the box on the wall & pressing either the <Up> or <Down> temporary adjustment buttons when necessary.

Agree totally with most of this.

I happen to have a particular building challenge that would be much improved by a portable temperature sensor to keep the bedroom comfy while I’m sleeping and disinclined to get up to push buttons. I’m trying to find a t-stat that does just that without buying into a website, leaks in my internet firewall, apps on my phone, “fuzzy logic” artificial stupidity, high prices, etc.

I admit to not having looked too hard, but I haven’t stumbled on one like this yet.

[Mean_Mr.Mustard]

@Mean_Mr.Mustard

I have a Sensi and I absolutely love it.

I’ll admit I bought it more for its gimmickry but I’ve come to rely on and appreciate its usefulness.

Also, I have had it around two years and it has been reliable every step of the way.
mmm

@Slash1972

I also have this, purchased to use with the Amazon Echo. That became too much trouble, it’s just easier to get up and change the temperature by 1 degree or so myself. I don’t use the phone app for the same reason, and I don’t (GASP!) always have my phone right next to me.

I don’t have an Echo, but I can vouch for the Sensi app/interface to be very friendly to use. FWIW I don’t lie in bed and change the temperature. But I have used it remotely for heating, cooling, or circulating the air from afar.

As an example, we were returning from a weekend road trip on a hot day recently; I turned the air on when we were an hour away from home.
mmm

[That_Don_Guy]

@Common_Tater

Years ago the furnace/AC had one of those mercury type thermostats. It was nice in the sense that one would set the desired temp and it would do the rest, either turn the AC on, or turn the heat on, as required. Seems simple to me. The later iteration requires one to turn a switch to either “heat” or “cool”. It’s my understanding that more modern thermostats need an internal battery. Not a big deal, but don’t let it go flat, or the furnace may fail to turn on at an inopportune time. Frozen pipes would be a bad deal over a 9 volt battery. Sometimes things should not be more complex than they need to be.

I think only programmable or “smarter” thermostats need a battery, and even then, only because they need to store the program information. My house had a programmable thermostat when I moved into it in 2003, but I never used the programming, and when it eventually fried a few years ago, I replaced it with a non-programmable digital one that doesn’t need a separate battery.

[iamthewalrus_3]

@hajario

Those aren’t “smart” thermostats which is what was asked about in the OP.

I know that. My post is saying “don’t buy a smart thermostat”, because the extra value you get is minimal and costs a lot.

[Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor]

@hajario

Those aren’t “smart” thermostats which is what was asked about in the OP. The cheapie WiFi enabled ones start at $90 and you can still get a nice one for a lot cheaper than a Nest though. I love how they look, you get free software updates and the UI is really nice. It’s a nerd indulgence.

@iamthewalrus_3

I know that. My post is saying “don’t buy a smart thermostat”, because the extra value you get is minimal and costs a lot.

Likewise.

[hajario]

One more thing about the Nest which is kind of slick, albeit pretty much never going to happen is that it can be paired with a Nest smoke/CO2 detector. If it detects CO2, it will tell the thermostat to immediately shut off the furnace.

[eenerms]

Our power company gave them away. We are in the community group, but I can override it if it doesnt fit our needs at the time. Saves a money over time. This is been a toasty summer.

[ftg]

I am a heavy tech person. But I know that tech for tech’s sake is stupid.

I don’t see any benefit of “smart” devices given:

1. The programming on these are craptastic. Millions of these get infected with malware. The original Chinese makers have no interest in updating the firmware to fix known, years-old problems.

2. You can end up with a brick when the maker goes out of business, gets sold, etc.

A bog simple programmable thermostats has none of these problems. Why spend more money on something with features you will rarely, if ever, use and take such chances???

[SamuelA]

Why not compromise? You could spend $200 on a Nest. Or here’s a Honeywell model that is also a pretty nice programmable thermostat, with a nice huge display, that works with Alexa, for $70. It can connect via wifi, and there’s also an app for that, but being able to tell Alexa to change the temperature is a pretty nifty feature.

So you can buy a digital, programmable thermostat for $20. Honeywell is a top tier brand, by the way.

You’ll never use the programmability feature, probably, but these digital thermostats are both more accurate and they tend to run the A/C or heating longer, to avoid short cycling. In fact, you can save 3 bucks and have less unnecessary buttons and get the non-programmable one here.

Or you can spend $70, and if you leave your house and forgot to turn off the heat/cooling, you can do so remotely by the app. If you are coming home, and want the place cooled down before you arrive, that is also an option. If you want to check the temperature inside (because you are concerned about HVAC failure, etc) remotely, that works. And you can buy an Alexa and tell her to adjust the HVAC without leaving the couch.

For an extra $50 (plus a much larger screen), that sounds worth it.

[swampspruce]

I installed this Honeywell partly because I bought just when Google bought Nest and Google already knows enough about me, and partly because I’m a cheap, gadget fixated SOB.
I regularly use the app to check out the temps, especially in winter. The programming was straight forward and I have the option to have it run Central Air if I get it installed. The only real PITA was having to run C wire to power it. That was…interesting, but a great learning experience ( washers, fishing line and Neodymium magnets are your friend in this endeavor.
Plugging it into the furnace was easy, as was setting up the WiFi.
It was also close to $100 CAD cheaper than the Nest.

[John_Mace]

@swampspruce

The only real PITA was having to run C wire to power it. That was…interesting, but a great learning experience ( washers, fishing line and Neodymium magnets are your friend in this endeavor.

That’s an important thing to consider when buying a new thermostat. Check before doings so in case you have to run extra wire. Not everyone is going to want to do that.

[PunditLisa]

I have one at my weekend home and love it. I can turn on the heat or air a few hours before we arrive. And in the middle of the night when I’m snug in my bed, I can use the app on my phone to adjust it.

I’m actually going to get a similar one for my main home, too.

[Tim_R.Mortiss]

Thanks for all the input, everyone. I appreciate it. Looks like the benefits of the “smart” thermostat for me would be mostly limited to the coolness and geek factor of it. Not that that is insignificant, in my case.

On the other hand, I just got a notice from my power company (ComEd) that they are offering 50% rebates on them! I can get a 3rd generation Nest for $99.50 if I buy it through ComEd’s website. Thought some of you others might be able to use that information!

[gotpasswords]

For full geek-out fun, you need to join a Nest thermostat with Nest Protect smoke/CO detectors, and Nest-compatible door locks and lighting. Of course the odds that you’ll have a fire and want the system to cut off the HVAC, shut down the water heater and oven, unlock the doors so you can get out / fire fighters can get in, and make your lights flash red are pretty small, but it is possible.

For me, the nice part of Nest is the occupancy detection. I live alone, so if the system notices I’ve left the house, it can save me a few bucks by shutting down the HVAC while I’m away.

[swampspruce]

@John_Mace

That’s an important thing to consider when buying a new thermostat. Check before doings so in case you have to run extra wire. Not everyone is going to want to do that.

It would have been nice to know that before I bought the t-stat already, I will grant you that. The experience did make running wire for my new Atmos speakers pretty trivial though.