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CNET
2 days ago
- Business
- CNET
When Homes Get Hot, Here's How Much Cash Smart Thermostats Can Save You
While the hottest days call for serious AC, cooling your home doesn't have to be an energy drain. Smart thermostats, in particular, can juggle your cooling schedule with energy-efficient automation. That leads to savings, but if you're going to drop a couple of hundred dollars on a thermostat, you're probably wondering just how much savings. Adina Roth, product lead for the Nest Learning Thermostat, told me, "Some of my favorite features that I notice improve savings are the automatic adjustments with Smart Schedule, Auto-Eco energy-saving shifts and Seasonal Savings." Nest isn't the only thermostat that has these features, either. Smart models from Ecobee, Honeywell Home, Amazon and others have similar modes. I've charted the expenses myself and compared them with what the research says. The results are promising, especially when it comes to smart thermostats paying for themselves. Here are the numbers you should know. Read more: Renters Can Buy Smart Thermostats Too, But They May Want to Hurry How smart thermostats save money Thermostat sensors can go anywhere to monitor specific temperatures. Google Nest Smart thermostat savings come in two parts. First, you save money by implementing heating and cooling settings that lower the house's energy usage. Technically, you can do this with any thermostat, but smart thermostats make it especially easy with their eco modes and suggestions, which means the average user typically starts saving more money when they adopt a smart thermostat. The second part of savings involves more unique smart thermostat capabilities, such as learning algorithms and portable wireless sensors. Learning capabilities on today's smart thermostats can collect data on when activities start and end in the house, and then start making programming adjustments themselves based on when people get up in the morning, when they arrive home, how their activities change over the weekend, and so on. Added together, that usually leads to more accurate implementation of eco modes and lowered settings that save money. Set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit or below when winter comes knocking. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Greg Fyke, president and CEO at Ecobee, explained a little more about how features like these save money with minimal effort. "For example, if you leave for work at 8 a.m., our smart thermostats can proactively lower the temperature while you are away to conserve energy and preheat or precool your home to ensure that your house is at your desired temperature when you return. This means lower utility bills and a more efficient home without sacrificing comfort." The wireless satellite sensors also help, as they allow smart thermostats to turn off heating/cooling not based on where the thermostat is, but where the sensor is placed. If that's an especially cool or warm spot (like a hot living room on movie night), the thermostat shuts down early enough to save more money. Average annual savings from a smart thermostat Nest's thermostat is pretty but the real advantage is the savings inside. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Combined, these features add up to notable savings. Google Nest's research, for instance, showed that users of the Nest Learning Thermostat saved an average of 12% to 15% per year without making other major changes. That works out to between $131 and $145 dollars annually, not too shabby for a single device upgrade. When I asked Ecobee, they reported that users could save up to 26% by installing one of their smart thermostats. That's a high-end example, but if it works out, people could save around $250 a year by making the switch -- especially if they haven't done much thermostat optimization before. Keep in mind, these numbers also work for renters who pay for their electricity. However, renters will probably need to get permission to install a smart thermostat. Paying off a smart thermostat Learning thermostats tend to pay for themselves. Google/CNET It's also important to consider the initial cost of a smart thermostat. Prices can range from around $100 for the cheapest models to more than $350 for top models with all the bells and whistles. The good news is that thanks to the average savings, almost every smart thermostat purchase will pay for itself within a year or two. Then your smart thermostat can really start saving you money. Participating in a peak usage program Smart displays can control compatible thermostats with a touch. Google Nest/CNET There's also another option to save even more money with a smart thermostat. When I talked to the nonprofit Energy Trust of Oregon, its spokesperson mentioned that users could go the extra mile and link a smart thermostat with programs called "Connected Savings" or similar names. These programs allow utility companies to make minor adjustments to your thermostat during peak use hours or special events to help save money and earn energy discounts. The problem is that you do have to give up some control, and you can't guarantee the utility companies won't make your house uncomfortable to live in (from what we and Reddit have seen, their decision-making can vary greatly). If you don't want to connect with utility companies directly, Ecobee offers an interesting alternative. It lets you connect with its Community Energy Savings program, which is very similar but basically takes care of the details for you. Ecobee reports you can earn up to $125 extra as a gift for participating in the program. What about rebates? Ecobee's Smart Thermostat Premium may be available with rebates in the right locations. Jon Reed/CNET We can't guarantee rebates or incentives to buy a smart thermostat, but it's a really good idea to look for them in your local programs. Many utility companies offer a rebate just for buying a smart thermostat, especially if it's Energy Star-rated (as many are). A number of power company websites will have a list of thermostat models that qualify, or more information about how to participate. On your way to saving money, stop by our guide to the easiest ways to save energy around the home, how smart plugs can help you save energy and quick spring tricks for device management.
CNET
17-07-2025
- CNET
Smart Thermostat Troubleshooting Guide: Here's How I Fixed Mine
In early July, when temperatures were rising to the 90s, my smart thermostat, a Nest Gen-4 model, shut down completely in the worst timing possible. None of the quick fixes I had used when testing previous thermostats worked this time, but things were getting uncomfortable, so I had to take the next step and contact a heating/cooling expert, which proved to be not just helpful but illuminating. Along the way, I learned a lot more about my HVAC system than I knew and uncovered some very interesting sources of potential thermostat issues, even when it looks like nothing is working at all. That's also about the time I realized I was long overdue to offer a guide on what to do when your thermostat malfunctions right when you really need it. In most cases, you can get your AC or heating back under control or at least know when to ask for outside help. Here's what to try for smart thermostats from Nest, Ecobee, Amazon, Honeywell Home and other brands. Read more: 8 Reasons Your Smart Home Device Isn't Working and How to Fix It Reboot your thermostat and check your Wi-Fi Rebooting your thermostat and app is a helpful step in getting things working again. Tyler Lacoma/CNET I started with the basics for my nonresponsive thermostat, and you should, too. For me, that meant disconnecting the faceplate and seeing if I could reboot it or get it to respond at all -- a step that eventually required me to plug it into a charger to give its small battery some juice. I also rebooted my Google Home app to see if it could provide any information. While my Wi-Fi connection wasn't the problem, this is also the time to check if your thermostat is connecting to the internet and if you need to input new Wi-Fi information, such as a new band or password. Connectivity issues may be responsible for many different issues. Review your heating and cooling modes Always double-check your thermostat mode. It may have been switched without you knowing. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Thermostat modes can sometimes change without warning, and unless you lock your thermostat to app controls only, someone may have inadvertently messed with how it operates. That leads to common issues like a thermostat that's set to heating instead of cooling, one that's been switched away from an Auto mode, or perhaps accidentally put into a Hold mode so it can't change. Thermostats may have different modes available depending on your heating and cooling system design, so run a broad check of your current status to make sure nothing obvious is wrong. Check your error messages If your thermostat shows an error code, look it up pronto. Nest With no power coming to my thermostat, it couldn't immediately show any error codes. However, the app was still functional and provided an "E" error code that I could look up to learn that the thermostat couldn't sense a power connection at all (not surprising, but a good step to check). If your thermostat face or app displays any kind of error message, always look up the codes they provide. Those codes may offer insights into what's happening, and if you do have to contact a repair person, you'll have extra info to pass on to them. Many codes provide info on wires that may be required or placed in the wrong contacts, so it's a handy reference when setting up your thermostat, too. Check your thermostat battery and power status My thermostat has an LED light indicator to show whether the power is on, but there are other ways of telling, too. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Smart thermostats typically have a power source, such as a C-wire connection and a backup battery they can use when other power sources aren't working. If your thermostat is nonresponsive, you need to check power settings to see if it's getting power. For my Nest thermostat, this was very easy, even if the faceplate wasn't getting power. The Nest Learning Thermostat 4 has a small LED indicator on the wiring mount itself that shows the power status, showing different colors if it's getting power and/or charging. My indicator light was out entirely, which confirmed the error code: No power was getting to the thermostat at all, which is why the battery had already died. Not all thermostats have this option, but you can still make important power checks like visiting your breaker box to see if a heating/cooling breaker has flipped, or entering a Test Mode to see if there are certain units the thermostat isn't connecting to. Examine your thermostat wiring Wiring guides can help you check if there are any issues with wires. Google Nest With the faceplate removed, it's easy to check your thermostat's wiring, which should include at least several different-colored wires connected to different contact points. In a perfect world, these wires are labeled with letters and numbers so you can determine whether they're connected to the matching spots, but those labels can sometimes be hard to read. Wire color is another indicator, although this can also vary a bit. As well as the right connections, see if it looks like any of the wires have come loose or aren't fully making contact. This is usually a problem you can fix yourself, but only touch the wires after you've shut down power to your HVAC system. Many thermostat apps have a little wiring guide in their settings that shows what the wiring contacts should look like, based on the system information you've entered. You can always call an expert if you don't want to handle this part yourself. Check your app settings for wiring configurations Dig into the settings and make sure your thermostat matches your cooling or heating setup too. Tyler Lacoma/CNET This step depends on the type of system and thermostat you have, but it's a particularly important one. It often allows you to find out why your thermostat suddenly stopped working, why it's blowing hot air instead of cold air, and so forth. For example, I have a Rheem heat pump. Heat pumps generally need configurations set to Y, O, or B wires to properly switch between heating and cooling. My heat pump uses an O/B configuration, and this brand requires using the B wire configuration for cooling. My AC expert made sure to double-check this detail, but it's very easy to check on your own. Sometimes, wire configurations can automatically reset to the wrong wires (like after a blackout), and you need to go into your map and set them to perform correctly again. This is more common with heat pumps, but it can happen with other sources of cooling as well. Now is also an excellent time to check similar settings to make sure the thermostat is configured to the proper type of system you have (electric, gas, forced air, radiant heating, etc.). Settings like these tell your thermostat how to control your system properly, and if they're wrong, then your heating and cooling won't work at all, or at least won't work as directed. Take a look at your AC lines AC drainage and clogs can cause thermostat issues, too. Yusuke Ide via Getty If your AC keeps shutting off and your thermostat looks like it's always rebooting, the problem could be more mechanical than digital. Check your air conditioner and look for any signs of leaking or puddles of water. This can indicate that an AC line designed to flush out accumulated moisture has clogged. This often triggers an emergency shutdown in the system, which is what can cause your thermostat issues as well. That means it's time for a thorough AC and drainage cleaning. Check your GFCI outlets If safety features tripped, your thermostat may have lost power as a result. skhoward via Getty My thermostat and power seemed to be working fine, so the expert I called had to step outside the box to find out what was happening -- and the answer was something everyone with a smart thermostat should know. Ground fault circuit interrupter outlets, aka a GFCI, protect homes by automatically shutting off a circuit if they sense an electrical problem. An outlet in my garage, where my inside fan/cooling unit is, had triggered and shut down the electricity. The AC unit detected that emergency shutdown and stayed turned on, shutting down power to my thermostat. Resetting the GFCI outlet restored power, to my relief, but we still had to find out what caused the power problem in the first place. My helpful technician found it appeared to be the power adapter for my irrigation system, which overheated or possibly had a power surge from a summer thunderstorm, causing a bit of scorching and triggering the shutdown. With the mystery solved (I'll tackle irrigation technology another day), I was left with the reminder to check failsafes like GFCI outlets and other electrical protection your home may have. Sometimes, the issue can start in an unrelated spot. Final notes Remember, if you can't figure out what's going on or don't have a lot of experience with wiring, you can also contact customer support for your thermostat brand online, or call a heating/cooling service in your area to get some help. As I learned, the problem isn't always the thermostat, but sometimes a wider issue in your home's AC and more. Now that you're schooled in thermostats, check out my home security cheat sheet, the best spots to install your security cameras, and tips on buying a smart lock for your home.
Los Angeles Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
12 Essential Smart Home Innovations Redefining Luxury Living
LA Times Studios may earn commission from purchases made through our links. Luxury, once a synonym for extravagance, is being quietly rewritten. In today's most coveted homes, the magic is in what you don't see: integrated tech, invisible comfort, and materials that work smarter. The new gold standard isn't what you can show off, but how your home supports and adapts to the life you actually live. Welcome to the era of the high-performance smart home. Homes are no longer relying on single-use gadgets or novelty light bulbs. Instead, truly integrated platforms like Ecobee quietly orchestrate everything from temperature to indoor air quality and even daily routines. These systems learn your patterns, like when you wake up, leave home, and when you return, and make invisible adjustments that cut energy costs and freshen the air. John Ho, CEO of Landsea Homes, explains that homeowners today are now increasingly expecting the latest tech features, and Landsea Homes has taken note, making these features standard instead of premium upgrades. The result is a home that feels responsive, supportive, and easy to live in from day one. Technology can clutter a room or vanish into it. The new smart home prefers the latter. And as one design expert puts it, 'Every high-performance home works as a system.' Whether it's smart lighting that mimics the sun's rhythm or motorized window shades that optimize comfort, the most advanced features tend to be the least obtrusive, letting design and daylight take center stage. Even televisions have become masters of disguise, like with Samsung's The Frame, which displays art when not in use, blending seamlessly with gallery walls. The Tapo D225 2K Smart Doorbell delivers sharp, real-time video feeds of visitors and deliveries, ensuring awareness even when you're away from home. Minimalist and easy to use, the Google Nest Smart Thermostat quietly handles schedules and comfort settings, adjusting the temperature automatically and blending into the wall with its subtle, understated design. Built-In Air Purifiers – The Levoit Core 600S keeps indoor air fresh by quietly filtering out allergens and pollutants, running day and night without drawing attention to itself. AI-Driven Lighting – With Philips Hue, lighting adapts to your daily rhythms. Enjoy gentle sunrise tones in the morning or a cozy, dim glow for movie nights. Air-Quality Sensors – AirVisual Pro Indoor Monitor detects invisible issues like radon, VOCs, and humidity, and triggers connected systems to respond when air quality dips. Water Leak Sensors – Moen Flo Detectors stand guard under sinks and behind appliances, sending an alert at the first sign of a leak. Motorized Window Shades – Yoolax Motorized Roller Shades can be controlled by voice, set to a schedule, or programmed to move with the sun, offering privacy and helping regulate temperature with minimal effort. WaterSense Fixtures The Moen Align Faucet pairs a modern, streamlined look with EPA-certified water efficiency, offering style and sustainability in equal measure. Real-Time Energy Dashboards Wiser Energy Smart Home Monitor provides instant feedback on energy use, making it easy to spot where electricity is being used (or wasted) throughout the day. Automated Energy Optimization EcoFlowSmart Home Panel 2 stores solar-generated electricity to power your home during outages or peak-demand hours. Passive Cooling Features Solar Venting Skylights automatically open and close to let in fresh air and daylight, helping to keep your home comfortable and reducing the need for air conditioning. Hidden and Integrated TechSolutions like the Samsung The Frame TV and low-profile speaker systems are designed to blend into your décor, proving that technology can disappear until you need it. Why These Innovations Matter: These features quietly handle life's logistics, so residents have more time and headspace for what matters most. No magic tricks, just good design, intelligently applied. A modern home does more than just look the part. It should actively support the people who live there. Air quality monitors, for example, aren't just decorative; they're part of a network that quietly coordinates ventilation and filtration, adjusting in real time. In cities or wildfire-prone areas, this kind of system can make a genuine difference in daily comfort. Water leak sensors catch small issues before they become emergencies, saving both stress and repairs. And whole-home batteries keep the essentials running (lights, Wi-Fi, refrigeration) so a blackout is little more than a brief inconvenience. These aren't flashy upgrades; they're quiet, competent essentials that speak to thoughtful design. No home becomes smart overnight. Every system requires a setup phase, a few tweaks, and the occasional update. Some features, like air quality and climate, make a noticeable difference from the start, while others work best as part of a whole. Savvy homeowners start with the essentials and add layers as needs or routines change. The best part? Once everything is running, the home quietly recedes, letting you focus on living, not troubleshooting. Luxury is no longer about putting everything on display. The new standard is a home that's easy to live in, quietly supportive, and resilient enough for whatever the world brings. The smartest homes work so well that you barely notice them.
CNET
10-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Prime Day Steal: We've Never Seen the Ecobee Smart Video Doorbell This Cheap
We're big fans of smart homes, and there are tons of easy ways to get started if you're looking to start future-proofing your home. When it comes to smart security, you can't beat a smart video doorbell. That's especially the case when you can get one like this Ecobee offering for just $100 during Amazon Prime Day. The Ecobee Smart Video Doorbell would normally set you back around $160, but right now you can pick one up for its lowest ever price. Even better, you don't have to jump through any hoops either -- there are no coupons to clip or discount codes to enter here. You better hurry though -- we've never seen the Ecobee Smart Video Doorbell priced this low before, and Amazon Prime Day ends tomorrow, likely taking this bargain with it. As for the video doorbell itself, there's a lot to like about its features. The camera is a 1080p HDR model, offering clear and vibrant images of whoever is at your door. And since the camera is smart, you can see those images anywhere using your phone or tablet. The camera also supports Apple HomeKit, so the video will appear in the Home app on the iPhone, iPad and Mac -- but HomeKit Secure Video is not supported. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Other features include advanced radar verification and motion, person and package detection, two-way talking, night vision and more. Need other devices for your setup? Be sure to check out our list of the best smart home deals. Why this deal matters Smart home appliances usually have a hefty price tag, so when a solid deal like this one comes around, it is worth grabbing. And this deal is only around for a few more hours, as Prime Day wraps up tomorrow. If you want to make a smart upgrade, add Ecobee's Video Doorbell to your cart now.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Shop Amazon's best early Prime Day deals on doorbells, smart locks
You can't put a price on safety, especially when it comes to protecting your home and family. But with Amazon's ongoing early Prime Day deals on home security systems, you can shop some of the market's most trusted smart locks, doorbells and security cameras at a fraction of their usual cost. For a limited time, Amazon is offering savings of up to 60% off home security tools like the Blink Outdoor 4 and SimpliSafe Security System. Whether you're a new homeowner or just someone looking to upgrade your house's security setup, you can shop the best home security deals during Amazon Prime Day 2025 below: MORE: Want to lower your energy bill? Save $60 on Ecobee's Smart Thermostat and Security kit Amazon Prime Day sale: Home security deals Amazon Prime Day 2025 begins on Tuesday, July 8 and will end on Friday, July 11. USA TODAY Shopping will be covering all the savings throughout Prime Day 2025, so be sure to sign up for text alerts, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram to stay updated! In order to access most deals, you'll want to be an Amazon Prime member. The July Prime Day sale has tons of special Prime-exclusive discounts on select products that can help members save more than anyone else. Plus, joining Prime helps guarantee you get other perks like fast shipping all year long, access to Prime Video, Prime Reading, Prime Gaming and more. Join Amazon Prime
