Ecobee is releasing its new smart thermostat, the Ecobee3, which is Wi-Fi connected and includes a number of wireless remote sensors.
The thermostat is based on a multidevice system, and can easily be placed on the wall in any room to control up to 32 remote sensors place around the house.
"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," said Ecobee CEO Stuart Lombard in a statement. "The Ecobee3 thermostat and remote sensors resolve this fundamental design flaw and deliver comfort in the rooms that really matter."
The system aims to address hot and cold spots within the house to deliver maximum comfort. Not only that, but it also factors in local weather and even recognizes which rooms are occupied, adjusting the temperature accordingly.
Users can also use their smartphones or tablets to control the system and the device itself is hardwired to a consistent power source, allowing it to alert the user when there is a equipment failure or when they need to change filters.
Ecobee3 will be the main competitor for Google's Nest, which takes a few weeks to learn the users habits and adjusts its system accordingly. One thing that the Ecobee3 has over Nest, however, is the fact that it does not need to learn the user's habits and immediately dives into saving energy. Ecobee says consumers will save an average of 23 percent on their heating and cooling when using the Ecobee3.
Ecobee has also provided an API for developers to be able to incorporate the system into their apps. Not only that, but apps previously developed for Ecobee will automatically work with the new system.
Ecobee has been creating smart thermostats since 2008, making it one of the longest-lived smart thermostat companies -- it's certainly older than Nest, for example, which got its start in 2010. The Ecobee3 system is compatible with 95 percent of residential heating and cooling systems.
The Ecobee3 smart thermostat system will be available in the U.S. and Canada on Sept. 29. For $249, users will get the main thermostat and one sensor. Up to 32 sensors can be connected to the thermostat at one time. A pack of two sensors will run for $79, with the system getting smarter each time a new sensor is introduced. It also comes with a three-year warranty.
