Toronto-based ecobee introduced on Sept. 16 a new thermostat called the ecobee3 smarter Wi-Fi thermostat with wireless remote sensors. The ecobee3 outsmarts other smart thermostats in that it can measure temperature in multiple rooms to deliver precise comfort and energy savings.
Unlike "learning thermostats," there is no need to wait weeks before the ecobee3 is able to adjust home temperature as desired. Just take it out of the box and it's ready to manage your home's indoor climate immediately. Installation will take about 45 minutes with the help of step-by-step videos online and customer service support. Of course, the ecobee3 may also be installed by a professional.
When ecobee designed the new thermostat, it took into consideration that customers want their home appliances not only to look beautiful but to reflect personal styles as well. The result? A thermostat in a sleek black finish with a 3.5-inch touchscreen display. How does it feel to use the ecobee3? Think of it as using a smartphone, with controls fluid and responsive and the user interface intuitive.
What makes the ecobee3 smarter?
It's called DataRhythm Technology, which uses thousands of data points to come up with intelligent yet personalized decisions involving heating and cooling. Thanks to the remote sensors, ecobee3 is able to recognize which rooms have occupants to automatically adjust temperatures, preventing HVAC systems from running unnecessarily. The more remote sensors are used, the more the thermostat is able to deliver smarter heating and cooling decisions.
"The industry has seen the introduction of new thermostats that seem modern but have the same flaw that thermostats did 50 years ago - they only measure the temperature in one location, often the hallway. The ecobee3 thermostat and remote sensors resolve this fundamental design flaw and deliver comfort in the rooms that really matter," said ecobee co-CEO, Stuart Lombard.
As truly the smarter thermostat, ecobee3 also monitors equipment performance, sending out alerts should anything stop working or start working below ideal levels. It can also remind users to change their filters and schedule equipment maintenance to keep HVAC systems optimized.
Retailing for $249, the ecobee3 smart thermostat will be made available beginning Sept. 29 in the U.S. and Canada through the ecobee site, Amazon.com, and HVAC contractors. Those who wish to pre-order need only go to the ecobee site. The thermostat can support up to 32 sensors, with each pack of two costing $79. The ecobee3 smart thermostat is compatible with 95 percent of residential HVAC systems in the U.S. and Canada.
