Nest Learning Thermostat
Sensi Touch 2 (2023)
Google Nest Thermostat
What You Should Know About Buying Smart Thermostats
If you’re shopping for a smart programmable thermostat, be sure to answer these questions before you buy anything:
What kind of cooling and heating system do you have? Make sure you know your system before you buy a thermostat designed for central air.
Will your current HVAC setup work with a smart-thermostat? (You may want to consult a professional before continuing.)
Do you have a C-wire? Most smart-thermostats require a C-wire. Some thermostats will work without it or may require a separate conversion kit or adapter.
How much smart functionality do you want? Do you need geofencing (location-based) or “learning” features, or do you just need basic remote access from your phone?
Do you use smart assistants like Amazon Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant? Are they compatible with the smart-thermostat you’re investigating?
Will you want to install the smart-thermostat yourself, or will you want a contractor to do it? Keep in mind that contractors may favor smart thermostats not available for resale.
Finally—and perhaps most importantly—who will use this thermostat, and what is their level of tech-savviness? Just because you’re comfortable using complex smart devices doesn’t mean your spouse, roommate, or kids are, which may impact the thermostat you choose to buy.
What is a C-wire?
A C-wire, or common wire, is a steady power source. It keeps your thermostat’s screen bright and ensures a steady connection to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
This Wi-Fi connection gives you control of heating and cooling systems from your smartphone. It also enables more advanced features like geofencing, or voice assistants that let you turn the heat on by chatting to your smart speaker while you dice scallions in the kitchen.
Do I need a C-wire?
If your brand new home still smells of fresh paint and sawdust, then you might already have a thermostat C-wire installed.
Many older homes only have four wires: W-wire (heating), Y-wire (air conditioning), G-wire (fan), and any of a slew of other HVAC possibilities, including an R-wire for power to your heating and cooling system. (Even older homes are often rigged with only two wires, one for heating and one for cooling.)
The C-wire usually appears as a fifth wire. However, depending on your home’s HVAC, and whether you have systems like heat pumps or dual stage heaters installed, you could have more than five wires.
Some Wi-Fi thermostats come with systems that can power the thermostat using four wires. Often, these will pull power from a fan wire or another system.
However, this option can have downsides. Certain HVAC systems, such as the compressors on air conditioners, can be degraded when repeatedly turned on and off. As a rule, smart thermostats run best with a proper C-wire.
Most smart-thermostat C-wires will be blue, though they can also be brown, purple, or black.
It’s important to remember that you can’t connect just any wire over to your C-wire connection as a power source. If you’re setting up an HVAC system for the first time, be very careful when identifying and connecting your home’s wire types.
Smart thermostat installation can be complex. If you find yourself in doubt, remember that it’s likely a good idea to stop and bring in an HVAC professional. Mistakes with wiring can be damaging and costly.
Privacy
Any Wi-Fi connected devices at home present an element of privacy risk. While smart-thermostats don’t typically record audio or video of homeowners, the geofencing features may store location data the same way that your phone does. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help protect your smart home, if you’re worried about privacy.
As with any device, look for two-factor authentication. This safety feature sends a code to your mobile device before letting you log in. That way, if someone tries to hack into your account, you’ll get the code instead of them. You get a heads-up to change your password, and they get nothing but frustration.
You can also set up email or push notifications to let you know when somebody logs in to your system.
Make a strong password with multiple letters, numbers, and characters for every one of your different accounts. With data breaches being such a routine part of everyday life, having different passwords is important.
If you use one password for your banking, email, and all your devices, having that password exposed in a breach can be disastrous. Using different passwords protects you.
When using smart assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, consider regularly deleting your voice recordings and muting the speaker’s mic when it’s not in use.
Conclusion
Having a professional install a smart thermostat is the best choice for several reasons. Firstly, a professional installer has the expertise and experience to correctly set up the device, ensuring that it functions properly and efficiently. They can also assess your home’s heating and cooling system to determine the most suitable placement for the thermostat, optimizing its performance. Additionally, a professional can troubleshoot any issues that may arise during installation, saving you time and frustration. Finally, hiring a professional for installation can help prevent potential damage to your HVAC system or the thermostat itself, ensuring that your investment is protected. Ultimately, the peace of mind and assurance of a job well done make it worthwhile to have a professional handle the installation of your smart thermostat.
