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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Set your smart thermostat to ease off heating or cooling while the home is predictably empty or people are asleep, then have it return to your preferred comfort setting when they are home. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says a 7–10°F setback for eight hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling, but that is potential savings—not a promise for every household. First confirm the thermostat suits your HVAC system; heat pumps and some wiring or equipment configurations need special care.
1. Identify your heating and cooling system before choosing settings
Check your equipment labels, manuals, or service records to identify the system: for example, a furnace with central air, a heat pump, a boiler, baseboard or in-wall heat, or equipment with multiple stages, variable capacity, or separate zones. Then use the thermostat maker’s compatibility checker and your HVAC documentation to confirm the exact model supports that system.
Many smart thermostats work with common forced-air systems, but compatibility is not universal. Line-voltage equipment, some boilers, zoned systems, and multistage or variable-speed equipment may need a specific thermostat, an approved adapter, or professional installation. Some models also need a C-wire—or a manufacturer-approved alternative—to maintain power. ENERGY STAR outlines these compatibility considerations in its smart thermostat buying guidance.
Do not rely on generic terminal-by-terminal wiring instructions: wiring varies by thermostat and HVAC model. Follow both manufacturers’ installation directions, and contact a qualified HVAC or electrical professional if the wiring or equipment compatibility is unclear.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute#1 Best Overall
- ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Connectivity : Wi-Fi - 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz, 802.11a/n 5 GHz Wi-Fi., Wireless interconnect : Bluetooth Low Energy Please refer to the product description section below for all applicable legal disclaimers.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page
- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home. Lock feature: No
- Programmable thermostat that lets you create an energy efficient schedule in the Google Home app on your Android or iPhone
- Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
2. Build a schedule around when people are home
Before programming the thermostat, note the temperatures your household finds comfortable while awake and at night, along with the usual times people wake, leave, return, and go to sleep. Use those routines to create a few practical periods, such as home and awake, away, and asleep. A simple schedule with an away adjustment and a sleep adjustment is a reasonable starting point; there is no need to add transitions your household will not follow.
Set occupied periods to temperatures people actually prefer. In an August 21, 2019 statement, DOE said, “It is the position of DOE that Americans should set their thermostats to whatever temperature they choose.” Energy-saving adjustments are optional, not a requirement to tolerate an uncomfortable home. Read the statement at DOE’s response on thermostat settings.
Rank #2
- An Alexa thermostat - Amazon Smart Thermostat is an easy way to switch from a traditional thermostats for homes and help reduce energy usage.
- Create comfort zones throughout your home by connecting to select Alexa devices to automatically adjust heating and cooling based on temperature readings or presence detection.
- Save money and energy - After purchase, Amazon will send you an email with details about home thermostat rebates that may be available from energy providers in your area.
- Save energy - According to EPA estimates, ENERGY STAR certified thermostats save an average of $90 on yearly energy bills.
- Programmable thermostat and automatic control - Create your own home, away and sleep schedules, or have Alexa automatically control the temperature with Alexa+ advanced features.
3. Start with a setback you can live with
For a home that uses conventional heating or cooling, DOE’s 2022 Energy Saver guidance says lowering the heating setpoint or raising the cooling setpoint by 7–10°F for eight hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling. Treat that as a broad potential, not a guaranteed result or a required target.
You can begin with a smaller adjustment if the temperature swing bothers anyone, the home takes a long time to return to comfort, or the system behaves unexpectedly. Keep the occupied setting comfortable and change only the setback size or timing at first, so it is easier to tell what helped.
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Rank #3
- Save up to 23% every year on heating and cooling costs, adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Compared to a hold of 72
- Compatible with 85% of systems, check your system’s compatibility with our online ecobee Compatibility Checker on the ecobee support page
- Change your temperature by easily tapping the color touchscreen or using the ecobee app. Plus, free software upgrades ensure you get the best out of your Smart Thermostat Essential, for years to come
- Automatically adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Keep track of your energy consumption when you're on the go on the ecobee app
- Easy DIY install. No C Wire, no problem. Get the ecobee Power Extender Kit (PEK) for homes without a C-Wire and keep your walls looking nice with our trim kit – both sold separately
4. Give heat pumps and recovery settings special attention
Do not apply the general setback advice to a heat pump unless the thermostat is designed for heat-pump use. DOE’s guidance flags this exception because recovery behavior depends on the system and its controls. Choose a compatible thermostat and follow the HVAC and thermostat makers’ instructions for scheduling and recovery. For variable-capacity heat pumps and air conditioners, ENERGY STAR says manufacturer-recommended controls generally perform best.
Schedule the return to your occupied temperature for when comfort is needed, using the thermostat’s supported scheduling or recovery features. A much larger temperature change does not necessarily make a home heat or cool faster. Avoid changing installer settings, compressor lockouts, or auxiliary-heat controls without model-specific guidance from the manufacturer or an HVAC professional.
Rank #4
- EASY DIY INSTALLATION: Do it yourself fast with a built-in level and simple step-by-step instructions. Works with the HVAC equipment found in most homes
- COMMON WIRE REQUIREMENTS: Common wire(C-Wire) required for heat pump and heat/cool only systems. C-wire not required on most systems
- SAVE ABOUT 23% ON HVAC ENERGY: ENERGY STAR-certified and packed with features that help you save money, including flexible scheduling, geofencing, remote access and usage reports
- PRIVACY PROTECTION: Sensi won’t sell your personal information to third parties or leverage your thermostat activity data for targeting or advertising purposes
- CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE: The top-rated mobile app for Android and iOS devices makes it easy to control your comfort from a smartphone or tablet
5. Check what learning and occupancy features actually do
Smart thermostats may offer fixed schedules, learning, occupancy sensing, geofencing, and remote adjustment. Features and controls differ by model, so review the schedule the device creates rather than assuming it reflects your routine.
- Learning: Check learned temperature changes and schedule periods; correct any that do not match household preferences.
- Occupancy sensing or geofencing: Confirm who is included and what the thermostat does when someone stays home, leaves unexpectedly, or returns early.
- Remote adjustment: Use it to correct an unexpected change rather than letting an unsuitable automatic schedule continue.
ENERGY STAR describes these features in its smart thermostat overview; the exact options depend on the device.
6. Review comfort and energy information, then adjust one thing
After the schedule has run through ordinary occupied and away periods, review the thermostat’s available runtime or energy reports. If comfort suffers, adjust the setback size or schedule timing. If comparing energy use across periods, remember that weather and other changes affect household bills; adjust one setting at a time so the effect is easier to interpret.
ENERGY STAR certification is based on product-level field evaluation, not a forecast of an individual home’s bill. Its current Smart Thermostats Key Product Criteria, checked October 4, 2026, require specified heating and cooling runtime reductions. For heating, the lower 95% confidence limit of the weighted national average must be at least 8%, and the weighted national average of 20th percentiles at least 4%. For cooling, the corresponding thresholds are at least 10% and 5%. These criteria use a year of data from hundreds of homes; EPA cautions against treating national certification estimates as savings guarantees because climate, equipment, and home characteristics vary. Weather, the building, and household behavior also affect results.
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