Heating and cooling systems are becoming widely used in homes all over the world. A thermostat becomes a necessity with an HVAC system. After all, if you spend so much on an HVAC system you would also want to be able to control the temperature as per your liking. Thermostats are a hefty investment and so getting one that fits your needs best is crucial.
Thermostats have evolved from the round dial ones to simple programmable ones and now to wifi-enabled and smart ones. Programmable ones allow you to set your schedules for the or week, while wifi ones connect you to other devices with the help of the wifi. This review discusses smart thermostats, that are even more advanced than the two mentioned above.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are usually sleek and modern thermostats that are mounted on walls. They usually add to the aesthetic of the house as they feature LCD touchscreens and impressive displays. Not only that but they are designed to reduce your energy usage by almost 23%. This is because they come with intelligent features that allow the thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature when not in use.
Smart thermostats can also connect to other smart home systems and devices. These allow you to control the temperature with your smartphones or voice assistants. Some smart thermostats are more advanced than others and also have learning capabilities and remote sensing technology.
They sometimes also detect humidity and help dehumidify the home, but this is specific to only some smart thermostats. They come with different functions and capabilities so you must get one that suits your requirements. Thus, choosing a smart thermostat requires some research and should not be bought based on someone else’s recommendation.
Each HVAC system is compatible with only specific kinds of thermostats and so you should get one that is compatible with yours. I was also about to get one that was not compatible with my HVAC and that is when I came across the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite.
This review will help you decide whether investing in the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite is a good idea for you. It will also recommend some of the alternatives if you feel like the EB-STATe3L-01 Lite is not for you.
Who should buy smart thermostats?
Smart thermostats add to the aesthetic of the interior of the house and are a good fit for anyone looking to modernize their house. Their sleek and easy-to-navigate touchscreens also add to your comfort by providing that simplicity and luxury.
However, if you are someone who doesn’t care about the aesthetic value then smart thermostats are also energy-saving and environment friendly. Most smart thermostats are also energy-star certified and usually save about 23% energy consumption. Additionally, if you are someone for looking more ease of use and comfort around the house then they are ideal for you.
Anyone with an HVAC system and a smart home system will benefit from a smart thermostat. You will be able to control the thermostat from your smartphone or even your voice assistant. As long as you have internet connectivity you can control the temperature of your house from any part of the world. Thus, if you travel frequently then a smart thermostat is good for you.
People who have handicapped people in the home will also benefit greatly from a smart thermostat. Anyone who wants minimal interaction with their thermostat and still have the right temperature when in the house or outside should get one.
Factors to keep in mind before buying a Smart Thermostat:
1. C-wire connection
Most smart thermostats come with a c-wire to ensure continuous and undisturbed connectivity to the wifi. For a thermostat that has a c-wire, you need to get a c-wire connection professionally installed. Thus before getting a thermostat make sure you get one that matches your wiring system. Although, now many thermostats also come with c-wire adapters.
2. Geofencing
This function comes in the most basic thermostats. It helps you save energy by adjusting the temperature itself when it doesn’t detect your phone’s GPS signals. So, instead of always making sure you adjust the thermostat leaving, it rids you of that responsibility.
3. Installation
Smart thermostats are mostly easy to install as they usually come with properly labeled wiring and manual guides. However, sometimes it is harder to do it yourself, for instance when you first need to get a c-wire connection installed. Sometimes the thermostat is so advanced ad, therefore, has complicated wiring and professional help is needed. Thus, before you get a thermostat make sure you know whether you want to spend additional money on its installation.
4. Remote Sensors
Smart thermostats also sometimes feature sensors or sensing capabilities for humidity, proximity, motion, etc. Thus, if you are looking for a thermostat that detects these and makes automatic adjustments based on these then make sure your thermostat has remote sensors. Not all smart thermostats have this technology and mostly it’s the thermostats that are more expensive.
5. Smart home compatibility
Almost all smart thermostats either come with built-in smart assistants or are compatible with them. Getting a thermostat that supports your smart system at home is crucial. You can simply give voice commands to your thermostat instead of even doing it from your smartphone.
6. Monthly Reports and Reminders
Some are also equipped to produce monthly usage reports and help users keep track of their energy usage patterns. This is great for anyone curious to know how much energy their HVAC system uses. They also sometimes give reminders for when the filter needs changing or if the temperature drops too low or gets too high. Thus, if you want these make sure you get a smart thermostat that has these.
[amazon link=”B01K48T09Y” title=”Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite Smart Thermostat and its Alternatives” /]
The Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite is a keenly-priced smart thermostat, compatible with Amazon Alexa technology, and offers compatibility with other smart systems. It requires a c-wire for continuous internet connectivity. Also, it’s an easy-to-install thermostat and comes with a step-by-step guide on its smartphone app to guide you better. Features a user-friendly LCD touchscreen which makes navigation a lot easier and the smart technology help save about 23% on energy costs.
It comes with a 3-year warranty and supports Amazon Echo, Samsung SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT. It has a modern touch to it much like its previous and later models. The black polished touchscreen is very similar to [amazon link=”B00ZIRV39M” title=”Ecobee3″ /] and Ecobee4. It is however cheaper than both the models because of its simpler features. It does not come with built-in Alexa like that Ecobee4 and does not feature remote sensors like both the Ecobee3 and Ecobee4.
1. [amazon link=”B0131RG6VK” title=”Nest Learning Thermostat” /]
The [amazon link=”B0131RG6VK” title=” Nest Learning Thermostat” /] is usually amongst the most popular smart thermostats that offer advanced learning features. It is a thermostat that learns your patterns and then automatically creates schedules for you. This thermostat is almost $100 more expensive than the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite. Not only does it not require a c-wire unlike with the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite, but also features sensing capabilities. The Nest thermostat also comes with eco temperature modes such as “home” or “away”.
2. [amazon link=”B010PTKWW6″ title=”Lux Geo Smart Thermostat” /]
The [amazon link=”B010PTKWW6″ title=” Lux Geo Smart Thermostat” /] is a much cheaper option compared to the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite smart thermostat. However, it too requires a c-wire if running on power instead of batteries. It offers pretty much the same functions as the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite, except it only supports Amazon Alexa and not other smart home systems. Apart from that it too has a smartphone app, a 3-year warranty, and an air filter monitor.
3. [amazon link=”B01NB1OB0I” title=”Emerson Sensi thermostat” /]
The [amazon link=”B01NB1OB0I” title=” Emerson Sensi thermostat” /] also a budget-friendly smart thermostat in comparison to the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite. It is also compatible with a wide range of smart home systems including Google Home Assistant. While it offers more or less the same functions as the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite, it is cheaper but has a simpler and more basic display screen. It too requires a c-wire connection much like the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite.
Pros:
- Compatible with Apple Homekit, Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, and IFTTT
- Remote room sensor
- Smart scheduling
- Smart recovery
- Controllable with Apple Watch
- Easy to install
- Alerts and reminders
- 3-year warranty
- Saves energy costs up to 23% annually
Cons:
- Not compatible with Google Home Assistant
- Requires a c-wire
- No remote sensor
Features
1. Comfort mode settings
The Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite has the option of choosing pre-built custom modes such as “home”, “sleep”, and “save” depending on whether you want to stay home or go out. You can, however, also create your schedules with the help of its smart algorithms and live weather data. These greatly help save on your energy consumption.
2. Smart recovery
The smart recovery mode helps optimize the run time of your system while helping you stay comfortable. This also helps immensely to save on energy costs.
3. Display
The Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite has a black modern design touchscreen that is very to use and navigate. It not only displays the inside temperature but also shows the one outside.
4. Home IQ
This mode helps you see your energy patterns and gives numbers for how much you save each month. It is also a great tool for anyone looking to save more energy. This mode also alerts you when the temperature goes to an unusual amount or when the filter needs changing.
5. Compatibility to smart home systems
The Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite is compatible with Amazon Alexa Apple HomeKit, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings. Additionally, it also works with the Apple watch and can be controlled with it.
What users think of the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite Smart Thermostat
From my research, I found out that even though it required a c-wire a new connection wasn’t necessary as many users also just used the adapter. Many users like the display as it adds to their décor at home. Users found both the software and hardware setup to be a breeze. Its compatibility with various smart home systems is also one of its great selling points. For many, the phone app proved to be very useful as well and even helped with the installation process.
Apart from that the thermostat’s automatic features and settings that help optimize energy usage are raved about. They help minimize annual costs but are also very easy and convenient. Moreover, many users claimed they loved that it could automatically change from heat to cool mode itself and they did not have to change it.
Final thoughts on the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite Smart Thermostat
Overall, the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite is a reasonably priced smart thermostat that is neither too simple nor too advanced. It offers simple and easy programming, various modes, and the Home IQ function. The Home IQ function is great for anyone who wants to how much energy their system consumes. It is also great as it gives reminders and alerts. It is an easy-to-install, and intelligent thermostat that uses algorithms to help maintain just the right temperature at home. Many users find it useful also because of its vacation mode.
However, its c-wire requirement and lack of support for smart sensors might not appeal to some. Moreover, its screen is not as high resolution as some users prefer it to be. Its display is not as fancy as other smart thermostats. So, if you are someone who specifically wants that then this may not be it. This review mentions other alternatives in different price ranges to the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite. So, if you don’t think it is for you then you should check those out instead.
Click [amazon link=”B01K48T09Y” title=”here” /] to shop for the Ecobee EB-STATe3L-01 Lite Smart thermostat.
