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Over the years, global warming has caused temperature extremes to worsen in most parts of the world. Along with that, in the last couple of years, there has been a sharp increase in inflation!
These factors have made energy-saving a necessity in today’s world. Smart thermostats are a great way you can achieve energy-saving, reducing the extra burden on your pocket!
If you are living in a rental apartment, installing a smart thermostat can substantially cut down your electricity bill, providing you some relief when the time to pay your rent and bill arrives.
In this article, I will explore some of the best smart thermostat for apartment. Let’s begin!
1. Google Nest Thermostat for Apartment
Works without a C-wire
Google Nest smart thermostat is one of the most advanced smart thermostats of 2023. It works without a C wire for most of the HVAC systems, so you can easily install the Nest thermostat in the apartment without any compatibility issues.
However, for heat-only and cool-only systems you’ll need a C wire.
Remote access
The Google Nest smart thermostat can be remotely controlled from the Google Home app. You can see your apartment’s current temperature and make changes to it as well.
This feature is useful when you are away and want to have full control of your apartment. When you are at work, you can turn your thermostat off while sitting in your office, and hence save a lot of electricity.
Also, you can turn it back on an hour before returning, so that your apartment is warm and cozy the moment you step into your apartment!
Simple Installation
This is an easy to install thermostat in apartment, typically in 30 minutes or less.
The entire installation equipment comes included in the box. Moreover, the installation is hassle free as the Google Nest smart thermostat is compatible with 85% of heating and cooling systems
Energy saving made simpler
The Google Nest smart thermostat saves energy in a number of ways. Firstly, it is a programmable thermostat which means that it allows you to create efficient schedules which turns down the thermostat when it is not required to heat.
Secondly, it has a ‘savings finder’ feature which looks for more ways in which you can save electricity. It then suggests these adjustments to the schedule in the Google Home app. Moreover, there is a unique feature called the Nest Airwave which turns off the compressor in time allowing the thermostat to save energy.
Finally, the Nest smart thermostat turns itself off when you leave your apartment. Moreover, the smart thermostat is energy certified which makes it a reliable choice for saving energy!
HVAC Monitoring
Last, but not least; this smart thermostat has HVAC monitoring which means that it monitors your heating/cooling system and reports any issues if found.
In my view, Google Nest smart thermostat is a complete package, and one of the best smart thermostat for apartment!
You may also like 6 Best Smart thermostat for Garage Heater (2022)
2.Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
Easy DIY Installation in apartment
One of the major plus points of the Emerson Sensi smart thermostat is that in most cases, it does not require a C-wire for connectivity. Hence, it is a great smart thermostat for rental properties.
The installation is pretty simple since the Emerson app provides you with a step-by-step guide on how to install and set up your thermostat with your apartment’s HVAC system.
Built-in Smart Maintenance
Another cool feature of this smart thermostat is its built-in smart maintenance mechanism. This means that you don’t need to worry about when your HVAC system requires Maintenace.
This smart thermostat monitors the condition of your HVAC system daily and gives you maintenance alerts when it’s time, so you don’t need to keep manual track of when the maintenance is due.
Saves a lot of HVAC Energy
Let’s get it straight; saving power and reducing electricity bills is the core reason why we install a smart thermostat.
The Emerson Sensi wi-fi thermostat is great at saving energy. Since it is Energy Star certified, it can save up to 23% of HVAC Energy, which can substantially reduce your bills.
The smart thermostat achieves this by providing various smart features like remote accessibility, flexible scheduling and providing usage reports.
Smartphone app and remote accessibility
What’s essential in all smart thermostats is their remote accessibility. Smartphone apps (Android and iOS) are a must for every smart device these days.
Since it is a wireless heat thermostat, The Emerson smartphone app will allow you to change your apartment’s temperature remotely from anywhere.
The app also makes configuration easier and can also give reports on energy saving, which will make you stay informed on the performance of your HVAC system.
Overall, I would say that if you want a smooth and simple installation process and you own a small apartment, then the Emerson Sensi smart thermostat is a great pick for you!
3. Honeywell Home RCHT8610WF T5 Smart Thermostat
Next up on our list of smart thermostat for apartment is the Honeywell Home RCHT8610WF thermostat.
Let’s talk about compatibility first
I believe checking if a smart thermostat is compatible with your HVAC system is one of the most important things.
The Honeywell smart thermostat is compatible with forced air (gas, oil, or electric), hot water, and steam heating systems. Apart from that, it is also a good choice if you own a heat pump with an electric backup.
A C-wire will be required for connection.
However, do keep in mind that Honeywell smart thermostat is not compatible with electric baseboard heaters, so if you have one installed in your apartment, it’s better that you go for the other thermostats I have listed in this article.
Great at saving Energy
The Honeywell Home smart thermostat is great at saving energy and reducing your apartment’s bills.
The thermostat is Energy star certified, which also provides you with energy-saving tips and energy reports at the end of each month. This feature comes in handy because it will provide a do’s and don’ts list of how to efficiently use your HVAC system.
Geofencing and 7-day programmable
The features I personally adore in this Honeywell thermostat is Geofencing; Location-based control. The smart thermostat detects your location and turns off your HVAC system when you are away from your apartment.
Apart from that, the thermostat is 7-day programmable, which means you can set different heating schedules for all 7 days of the week. This provides a great deal of flexibility!
Integration with all Smart Home Assistants
Last but not the least, this smart thermostat can easily be integrated with all popular Smart home assistants including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana, and IFTTT.
This means that with Honeywell RCHT8610WF T5 Smart Thermostat, you can turn your simple apartment into a smart one with voice commands for smart heating!
4. Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced works with Alexa
Moving on, our list of the best smart thermostat for apartment is the Ecobee Smart thermostat. It’s an advanced thermostat with all the cool features yet it has minimal complexity.
Ease of Installation
What I adore about the Ecobee smart thermostat is its ease of installation.
The thermostat is pretty easy to install; the whole process takes around 30-40 minutes and you can install it yourself.
Remarkable Energy saving
Once you have installed Ecobee smart thermostat in your apartment, you have certainly entered into a new era of energy saving; this smart thermostat will save a remarkable amount of electricity, cutting around 26% of your apartment’s heating/cooling cost.
What’s more futuristic is that you can add a Smart Sensor with it. This can enhance your experience even more and save even greater amounts of energy.
It’s really smart at maintaining the temperature
Everyone hates overheads and we try our best to avoid them. Good news, the Ecobee smart thermostat has got your back!
It detects when you are away from your apartment and shuts down the operation which saves a lot of energy.
It pre-heats/cools your apartment before you arrive so that you can have a cozy environment to release your day’s stress.
But it goes beyond that
However, if you are the kind of person who likes control in his/her own hands, then the Ecobee smart home app will let you manage your apartment’s temperature on your own.
You can have full remote access and control your apartment’s temperature from anywhere in the world.
Apart from that, if you run into any problem, the Ecobee support team is available 24/7.
5. Amazon Smart Thermostat – ENERGY STAR certified, DIY install
If you are an Alexa enthusiast and like controlling your apartment with Alexa, then this Smart thermostat is the perfect one for you!
Trusted Brand
Amazon being a trusted brand has the most advanced hardware and software for its thermostat.
The smart thermostat is backed by Honeywell which has been a trusted brand for decades, so it deserves a spot in the quest for best thermostat for apartment.
Save money for the good
The Amazon smart thermostat will save on average around 50$ on your yearly electricity, decreasing your apartment’s overall living cost
Apart from that, Amazon will send you rebates that will be available for energy providers in your area. This way, you can save more money!
App-guided installation
The Alexa app is your savior when it comes to avoiding those tedious installations.
The Alexa app will guide you throughout the installation process of the Amazon smart thermostat.
In case you still face any difficulty, Amazon’s customer support is available 24/7.
The intuitive Alexa app provides Remote access
The Amazon Alexa app is highly intuitive. You can remotely control your apartment’s temperature even when you are away or at work.
If you are already an Alexa user, I would recommend you buy this apartment thermostat.
6. Lux Products TX9600TS Programmable Large Touchscreen Heating Cooling Thermostat
Not all thermostats have to be fancy. Sometimes, all you need is a basic product that fulfills your requirements.
If that is the case, then Lux TX9600TS smart thermostat is made for you! It is a simple thermostat for a home or apartment.
The most affordable choice
Lux TX9600TS is hands down the most affordable smart thermostat for apartment. Despite having all the necessary features, the LUX smart thermostat is affordable and provides great value for money.
Set up weekly and daily programming
Your timings may differ for different days of the week. You may be working a full-time job or a part-time one. You might be resting in your apartment on the weekends.
The LUX smart thermostat offers great flexibility when it comes to programming it according to your weekly schedule.
It can be programmed differently 7 days a week, to make sure your apartment is cozy for you according to your needs.
Apart from that, you can also have different settings for different periods of the day. There can be 2 or 4 periods per day.
High level of compatibility
The LUX Smart thermostat is highly compatible and works with most HVAC systems.
Apart from line voltage electric baseboard heaters, it is compatible with almost all North American thermostats including two-stage heat, and one-stage cool HVAC systems.
This includes gas, oil, electric, and single-stage heat pump systems.
Cool Design to top it off
The Lux smart thermostat has a highly intuitive User Interface (UI), and a bright back-lit display.
The screen is lockable to prevent unauthorized access and unintentional temperature changes.
Conclusion:
Smart thermostats are a great way to save your electricity, and eventually, save you extra bucks on heating/cooling.
All the smart thermostats that I have listed above can be a valuable addition to your apartment.
As far as my recommendation is concerned, if you are an Alexa user, you should go with Amazon smart thermostat or the Ecobee smart thermostat.
If you are looking to connect our thermostat with Google Home Assistant, then you should choose Google Nest smart thermostat in my view.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly option that fulfills all your requirements then you should go for LUX smart thermostat.
Now that you have explored all the best smart thermostat for apartment, I hope you will make an informed choice!
Smart Thermostat for Apartment – Buying Guide
First things first; Permission from the landlord
A pre-requisite of buying a thermostat for apartment is to check with your landlord first.
If you are living in a rental apartment, in order to install a smart thermostat in your apartment you need to seek your landlord’s permission first.
Ease of installation
When buying a smart thermostat, make sure that it is easy to install. Most smart thermostats come with a DIY Installation kit, so you can set them up yourself.
However, if you have difficulty installing it, you can check an installation video online. Since all the smart thermostats listed in this article are quite popular, you can easily find their installation video online.
It’s always a good idea to install your smart thermostat somewhere in the center of your apartment e.g in the living room.
Compatibility with HVAC Systems/C-wire requirement
A lot of smart thermostats require a C-wire to work. If you are going to buy such a thermostat, make sure your HVAC system does connect with a C-wire.
If your HVAC system does not support a C-wire, buy a thermostat that doesn’t require a C-wire to connect.
Moreover, all HVAC systems are not the same; some work on oil, some on gas, and some on baseboard heaters or electric ones.
Before buying your smart thermostat, make sure it is compatible with your type of HVAC system. You can find that in the product description while buying.
Smart Home Integration
The real purpose of installing smart home devices in our homes is to make our daily operations simple and effortless.
As I myself have been working in the field of IoT for quite a while, I believe integration is the core of all smart home devices. Standalone devices are discouraged while ones that integrate with a central system are preferred when it comes to the Internet of things.
For this reason, I believe that almost all smart thermostats should integrate with Smart Home systems such as Google Assistant, Alexa, or Apple HomeKit (depending on which one you have). If You own one of these smart home assistants, then try buying a smart thermostat that integrates with your Smart Home Assistant.
