Smart homes are widely considered the future of homeownership. With inflation and utility costs on the rise, adding smart features can help homeowners keep their houses safe, comfortable, and affordable.
Smart heating systems have become increasingly popular in recent years with many homeowners on the hunt for cost-savings and eco-friendly approaches to home heating. Here are three smart home heating systems to consider for your house, and what to look for when deciding which is right for you.
Tips for Choosing a Smart Heating System
A smart thermostat is the main operator of a smart home heating system. While there are several options to choose from, it’s essential to choose carefully based on your needs.
One of the first things to look for when choosing a smart heating system is compatibility. Many smart thermostats are not compatible with heat pumps, which presents barriers for those who have installed these innovative heating and cooling systems. Ensuring a smart thermostat works with your system is an essential first step in choosing.
Next, evaluate the features and controls. Some smart heating systems offer learnings and analytics, while others simply offer remote programming.
With those features in mind, here are three smart systems to consider.
Nest 3
The Nest 3 is one of the few smart thermostats that work with heat pumps of all varieties (check CM Heating for more information). This innovative device is a pioneer in smart home heating and is considered the gold standard.
This self-learning device is WiFi enabled for remote access and tracks your usage habits over time. Once it has sufficient data, it will start making small adjustments based on your habits. The Nest 3 ultimately pays for itself within 2-3 years of installation. You can also add connected temperature sensors to different rooms for a more balanced heating approach.
Ecobee 5
The Ecobee 5 is a close runner-up to the Nest. This Canadian brand is designed to work in North American climates and is considered superior for those living in the upper states and the great white North. The Ecobee 5 also works with most heat pumps and syncs with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and other smart home assistants. You can even operate the Ecobee as a speaker or home assistant, asking for weather updates and playing music as you get ready for the day.
Like the Nest line, Ecobee 5 is WiFi enabled for remote control and engages in self-learning to maximize energy savings.
Hive Thermostat
The Hive Thermostat is the best smart home heating system for houses with radiators. This UK-designed smart system, unfortunately, doesn’t work with heat pumps, but it does offer zoned heating, which is a perk. Zoned heating allows you to control the localized temperature in high-traffic rooms, rather than paying to heat the whole house and unused rooms.
This system also offers remote control and syncs with many smart home assistants. The Hive smart home company also offers other features, like security cameras and smart lighting, for a smart home one-stop shop.
Installing a smart home system is an excellent way to save money and optimize your home heating. Implementing these tools could help reduce wear and tear on your heating system and extend its lifespan for a better long-term return on investment.
