Lennox iComfort M30 Smart Thermostat Review

The introduction of smart thermostats has brought more comfort to our homes. Instead of getting up to go to your thermostat, smart thermostats allow you to navigate through the thermostat settings from your smartphone.

Not only that, but you can also give voice commands to your voice assistant if it is compatible with the smart thermostat. Smart thermostats are a great investment for people who are tired of spending so much on their electrical costs. Smart thermostats are energy efficient, which means they optimize the temperature in a way that helps you save energy costs when not in use.

There is a huge range of smart thermostats available now with the top brands being Nest, Lennox, Emerson Sensi, Ecobee, Johnson Controls, etc. They all have basic thermostat capabilities in addition to smart features.

However, not all of them will have the same features and capabilities; therefore, you need to conduct thorough research before buying one that is most suited to your needs. I would not recommend buying a smart thermostat that your friends or family might have because of the capabilities and requirements.

While I was on a hunt for a smart thermostat, I came across the Lennox iComfort M30 smart thermostat and found it to be worth mentioning. This review will tell you all that you need to know about the Lennox iComfort M30 along with some of the alternatives.

Who should buy smart thermostats?

If you have a heating and cooling (HVAC) system installed in your home then having a thermostat is necessary as you want to be able to control the temperature. Smart thermostats are replacing the traditional ones because of their ability to connect with the wifi.

The wifi allows the thermostat to pair with your phone, which provides you the luxury to adjust the temperature without even getting up

Also, even though smart thermostats are more expensive than traditional ones, they, however, are much more energy-efficient. Thus, smart thermostats are a must-have for someone who is looking to reduce their electrical costs.

With features like geofencing and smart sensors, the thermostat detects whether the user is home or not. If no one is home, then it changes the temperature to make it more energy-efficient. 

Smart thermostats can be quite expensive if you want advanced features. Thermostats that have learning capabilities are usually the high-end ones. They not only automatically change the temperature but they also learn the different temperature settings you set during the first few days of purchase.

However, some cheaper models provide the basic functions of a smart thermostat. Thus, if you want a smart thermostat, you should first consider what your budget is and what you require from it.

Factors to consider before buying Wifi Thermostats:

Wiring

If you replace a smart thermostat with a newer one, then you probably won’t have to worry about the wiring but if you are shifting to a smart thermostat for the first time then you might need the c-wire connection. Although a lot of thermostats now also come with c-wire adapters.

HVAC system compatibility

The voltage of both the thermostat and HVAC system should be compatible with one another. Thus, no matter how much you love the thermostat, if it isn’t compatible with your HVAC system then it is not for you.

If you plug in one that is not compatible, then you will probably fry both your systems. Many brands like Honeywell, Ecobee, and Nest provide compatibility checks online. Generally, though, most thermostats work well with low voltage HVAC systems.

Sensors

This is a feature specific to only some smart thermostats. Most thermostats instead come with geofencing. Sensors detect things like humidity, proximity, and motion, to decipher whether someone is near or in the house.

The thermostat then makes changes accordingly without needing your assistance. Hence, if you want your thermostat to do that, then you must make sure it comes with all the sensors you need.

[amazon link=”B07BGSNW15″ title=”Lennox iComfort M30 and its Alternatives” /]

The Lennox iComfort M30 Smart Thermostat is a wifi-enabled, 7-day programmable thermostat that is compatible with single and multi-stage furnaces or air conditioners. It is one of the more expensive thermostats out there.

It has a  highly responsive touchscreen and has many features that help you save on costs in the long term. Lennox, unlike other brands, does not offer online compatibility checks, but instead offers professional installation so you do not have to worry about whether it will be compatible with your HVAC system or not.

It is a programmable thermostat that allows you to create your custom schedules. Other than that its 4.3 inch LCD screen has a colored display which, sets it apart from the competition.

Moreover, it is compatible with most smart home assistants such as Google Home, Alexa, Siri, and IFTTT. However, other than that it does not offer any more advanced capabilities like the one found in the [amazon link=”B0131RG6VK” title=”Nest Learning thermostat” /]. The nest thermostat also happens to be cheaper than this one.

While the M30 is compatible with quite a few smart home assistants, it is still not compatible with the Cortana assistant. Thus, if you are someone who wants to integrate Cortana with your smart thermostat then you should consider the [amazon link=”B079NF3YC5″ title=”Johnson Controls GLAS thermostat” /]. It too has a fancy OLED touchscreen and is known for its ability to measure air quality.

If these thermostats seem very expensive and you would much rather buy a simpler one like the [amazon link=”B06W56TBLN” title=”Ecobee 3 Lite” /], which does not have a touchscreen but features smart sensors and is compatible with many smart home devices like the Samsung SmartThings and Apple HomeKit. The [amazon link=”B010PTKWW6″ title=”Lux/Geo” /]is also an affordable option that has most of the smart features that one would want from a thermostat.

Pros

  • Compatible with IFTTT, Alexa, Google Home, and Siri
  • Supports single and multi-stage systems
  • Colored LCD
  • Humidity control
  • Sends alerts and reminders
  • Weather Forecast updates
  • 5-year warranty

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No remote sensor
  • C-wire required
  • Not compatible with Lennox Premier

Features

1. Humidity Control

This thermostat comes with a feature that monitors the humidity levels in the air. Also, it automatically adjusts the temperature to decrease the humidity if too much.

2. “Feels like” feature

The M30 measures the temperature and humidity and makes sure it is according to what you like. It is a lot like the feel like feature found in weather reports. It takes into account the temperature inside and outside, along with humidity to make sure that the temperature inside is right.

3. Away Mode

Using geofencing, it detects whether your smartphone is within a given radius. If it is not then it automatically changes the settings to help optimize your energy use.

4. Email Alerts and Energy Reports

The M30 emails you all the alerts, reports, and reminders that are insightful and help keep your thermostat running efficiently. The energy reports let you know how much energy is being consumed by the HVAC systems.

The reminders help you remember when it is time to change the filter or other issues that you should be aware of.

What users think of the Lennox iComfort M30

While I was going through the reviews for the M30 I found out that a lot of people found it to be quite attractive and loved that it had a 5-year warranty. Many people found that it connected with their smart home ecosystem.

This allowed them to give voice commands to the thermostat instead of going through the hassle of finding their phones.

Many users thought its humidity control feature made it worth the buy especially if they lived in very humid regions. Overall users find it easy to use, reliable, and, trustworthy.

Final thoughts on the Lennox iComfort M30

The M30 indeed comes with features like humidity control, stay away, and, “feels like” modes. These set it apart from others in the competition. It is also compatible with almost all smart home systems.

However, it is still not compatible with its own Lennox Premier system. Its interface is quite different and unique from others at the same price. But if you think the interface is not worth the price then you should consider some of the other alternatives mentioned above.

That being said, the M30 is an entry-level thermostat and so its features aren’t as advanced as the Nest thermostats. The 5-year warranty is pretty rare for a smart thermostat.

You will have peace of mind that the very expensive thermostat you bought comes with a long warranty. Thus, it comes down to your budget and whether you have one of the smart home systems that it supports.

Click [amazon link=”B07BGSNW15″ title=”here” /] to shop for the Lennox iComfort M30 Smart Thermostat.