Smart Thermostat Installation

Home Depot claims that by switching from a manual to a programmable thermostat, you can save $180 per year on your energy bill. The Environmental Protection Agency says that programming a thermostat can cut heating and cooling costs by 20%. However, a study showed that 90% of programmable thermostats are infrequently or never programmed.

Smart thermostats can fix this problem by adjusting and monitor the temperature based on the user's programming and habits, and sometimes even the weather. Plus, many of them allow the user to control or monitor the thermostat remotely from a smartphone or wireless internet connection.

Installing one (or more) can therefore decrease the home or building's energy use and cut utility bills. In fact, Nest, a smart thermostat manufacturer, claims that thermostats make up about 50% of your energy bill, and 10% of all American energy is controlled by thermostats.

According to Earth911, there are 3 types of smart thermostats:
1. “Connected” Thermostats: Wi-fi enabled units that allow users to change temperature settings from their smartphone or computer
2. Learning Thermostats: Learn your daily habits and automatically set temperature levels over time
3. “Smart Grid” Technology: These are compatible with your utility’s smart grid system

The following are three smart thermostats currently available on the market.

1. Nest: Learning Thermostat for Energy Savings

Nest developed a “learning thermostat” that creates a schedule based on your behavior. After a week, you’ll have a personalized thermostat schedule based on the Nest’s questions and your heating and cooling habits.

You can program Nest either by changing the temperature on the thermostat itself, or by adjusting it remotely from your computer, smartphone or tablet. Nest has activity sensors, which it uses to sense whether or not people are in the building. The Auto-Away feature will automatically reduce heating and cooling when no one is home, saving energy. Nest also uses wi-fi to track the weather, so it can learn how you adjust temperature based on weather conditions.

You can track your building’s energy usage with the Energy History feature, which shows your energy use each day. It tells you whether you've saved energy from temperature changes, Auto-Away or the weather. Also, Nest displays a green leaf every time you’re saving energy.

Buying and Installing Nest

Nest is easy to install. In fact, Nest claims that if you can install a light fixture, you can install Nest. However, Nest can be purchased with installation if desired.
Also, multiple Nests can be installed in one home for zone heating and cooling. They will work together to save energy.

2. Honeywell Prestige 2.0

Honeywell's Prestige 2.0 Comfort system is another smart thermostat that combines the user's programming, interview responses, and peak energy price data to adjust the temperature. The Prestige senses and displays the both the temperature inside the house and the weather outside. The system can also control humidity and indoor air quality.
The customer can program the Prestige from the device itself, or a PC, smartphone, or tablet.

Honeywell claims that if programmed correctly, the Prestige can "save up to 33% on annual energy costs - or up to $200 per year". Honeywell's smart thermostat should be installed by a professional, and retails for about $300 on Amazon.com.

Interestingly, in a patent infringement lawsuit, Honeywell has accused Nest of stealing their "smart thermostat" concept. According to GigaOm, Nest has issued a counterclaim that Honeywell is attempting to stifle innovation in the marketplace. The outcome remains to be seen.

3. Ecobee

Ecobee, a Canadian company, offers its Smart Thermostat for about $469 retail price.

Unlike the Nest, ecobee's Smart Thermostat doesn't "learn", but rather allows the user to have maximum control and customization over the system.
All customers who own ecobee thermostats can access the company's web portal for no annual fee. The portal allows customers to control every aspect of the system, which includes setting up alerts, preferences, vacation schedules, and service reminders. It monitors the weather and provides weekly forecasts. The customer can also monitor the system's performance with reports.

Ecobee also has an app for iPhone or Android that allows users to control the thermostat from their smartphones.
It is important to note that like Honeywell, the ecobee should be installed by a professional.

Installing a Thermostat Yourself

Installing a thermostat is possible to do yourself with the proper equipment, instructions, and safety precautions. In fact, Home Depot rates the project as “Novice” level, and only takes 30-60 minutes to complete.


To do the project, you will need the replacement thermostat, masking tape, a screwdriver, and a pencil. You’ll also need the manufacturer’s instructions.

The steps to install the smart thermostat are as follows:

1. Turn off the power supply to the thermostat, including the heating and cooling system.
2. Remove the old thermostat from the wall, including the wall plate. Be careful when removing older thermostats, because the glass tubes often contain mercury, which is a toxic substance.
3. Use masking tape and a pencil to mark where the wires were attached on the old thermostat, using letter designations. Tape the wires to the wall to prevent them from falling back into the wall.
4. Pull the wires through the base of the new thermostat, then screw the base into the wall.
5. Connect the wires to the matching screw terminals on the base (use the matching letters). Use the manufacturer’s instructions as a guide.
6. Restore the power to the thermostat and heating and air conditioning systems.
7. Program the thermostat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you replaced an old thermostat with a tube of mercury, call your local recycling or hazardous materials center or the manufacturer of your new thermostat, to learn how to dispose of it safely and properly.

Professional Installation

While it is possible to replace a thermostat yourself, it may be a good idea to hire a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and cooling (HVAC) contractor to install it for you, especially if the project requires more than a simple replacement.

Homewyse provides a calculator that helps you determine the cost of a thermostat installation based on your zip code.