Smart home
A handy thermostat checklist for your new smart home
Use this Wi-Fi thermostat checklist to find your perfect match
You’ve read all the news stories about smart home products. You learned about the benefits of home automation. And you see many of your friends bragging about their connected gadgets. So you’ve finally decided to take the plunge into a connected home. One of the easiest smart home entry-level devices is a Wi-Fi thermostat. But how do you know which one is right for you? Use this simple thermostat checklist to help narrow down the Wi-Fi thermostat selection in order to find your perfect match.
Budget
One of the first things people look at is price. Some Wi-Fi thermostats can go as high as $250 and that’s just for the device. Others charge monthly monitoring fees and not all have a free mobile app. Sensi™ Smart Thermostats have lower priced options, no monthly fees and include a free mobile app (Android or iOs device). Before you purchase, you can also check online to see if you qualify for a rebate from your utility provider. Some rebates are as high as $100, which can pay for a good portion of your Sensi thermostat.
Quality
After you’ve narrowed down the field with price, you’ll want assurance that you are purchasing a quality device. Emerson, the company behind Sensi thermostats, has over 125 years of experience with critical heating and cooling infrastructure systems. Sensi thermostats are also one of the few Wi-Fi thermostat choices that are Energy Aware Qualified®.
System Compatibility
Next, you want to make sure that the thermostat you purchase will work with your thermostat wiring and the type of heating and cooling equipment in your home. One of the most important factors in determining compatibility is whether or not your system has or will require the common, or c-wire. If you aren’t an engineer, or familiar with HVAC systems and how they work, wiring can be intimidating. Before making your selection, read more about the c-wire here to help you better understand what it is and how it works with your thermostat.
Also, If you already own a home automation system, you’ll want to make sure your new Wi-Fi thermostat is compatible. Sensi thermostats work with Amazon Alexa and Wink smart home platforms.
Ease of Install
“Will I be able to install it myself?” is another homeowner concern. Sensi thermostats are different because they simplified the installation process. Why waste an hour thumbing through a user manual when you can install and connect simply by using your phone? Simply download the free Sensi mobile app and it will guide your through each step of the installation process, from wiring to connectivity. The app includes several helpful features and videos that will ensure your new Sensi thermostat is set up properly.
You’ll also want to consider the thermostat design. Sensi thermostat was designed to cover the existing thermostat footprint, which means no messy wall patches, repairs or painting.
Features and Functions
A 2010 study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory revealed that most people who have programmable thermostats don’t actually program them and use the manual settings instead. Why aren’t people programming their thermostats? Simple. Because they can’t figure it out.
The Sensi app was designed for you with easy to understand navigation. Using the mobile app, you can create custom temperature schedules for each day of the week (up to seven independent schedules); making it a snap to create one or multiple schedules to match your family’s routine. You can also run heat-only or cool-only schedules.
In addition to the easy scheduling options, Sensi thermostat has several features and settings, including Early Start (ensure your home is at the exact temperature you want at the time you want it), Keypad Lockout, (prevent accidental settings changes) and Temperature Offset (change the temperature display +/- five degrees to match the temperature you are used to from your previous thermostat).
Learn more about the Sensi mobile app and settings and schedules.
Remote Access
It’s not a connected device if you can’t stay connected. Using the free Sensi mobile app, you can change your settings and adjust your Wi-Fi thermostat schedule from across the room or across the country. It’s the perfect tool for the moms and dads too busy herding the family for the annual vacation to think about the thermostat settings. Or for the harried business traveler who is more worried about the big client presentation than home energy efficiency. There’s nothing worse than realizing that you forgot to adjust your thermostat when you are just arriving at the airport or have already driven halfway across the state. If you have a Sensi thermostat, it’s not a problem. Simply whip out your Sensi app and you are back on track to energy efficiency and savings.
And although most people are connected to their smartphones at all times, we understand that there are those rare occasions when it’s simply not available. Lost phone. Unfortunate pool accident. We’ve all been there. But losing your phone doesn’t mean you lose control of your Sensi thermostat.
As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider before your purchase your first Wi-Fi thermostat. By following this thermostat checklist, you’re well on your way to choosing the perfect match.
