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Ecobee and Nest have the leading products in current smart thermostat market,but there is some other product like Emerson Sensi Touch.Here we are offering you an extensive comparison of Ecobee3 Lite and Emerson Sensi Touch Thermostats(Model#ST75). These models are very similar. However, each one has its own advantages. Letâs find out which one is more suitable for your needs.
Design
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Thermostats have different designs but similar parameters. Ecobeeâs controller has a rounded square shape. Meanwhile, Sensi Touch reminds you of a smartphoneâs form. Both models come in black color. Their modern design makes it easy to blend into any interior.
You wonât need to find a way to hide either of the thermostats in the corner. Theyâll look great on any wall. Sensi uses different colors for heating and cooling regimes. By glancing at the thermostat, you can find out whether itâs heating or cooling your home.
Both thermostats are larger than, for example, Nest models. This is because they have touchscreens. Smaller sizes wouldnât allow the user to tune the thermostats using the touchscreen. Another advantage of large thermostats is that you can see the information on display from several steps away or from another corner of the room.
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Installation
Both thermostats are easy to install. You donât need professional installation in case you have a C-wire. These models require a C-wire to operate. Ecobee offers a power extender kit for C-wire problem-solving. Meanwhile, Sensi doesnât offer a PEK in the box.
If you have a C-wire, all youâll need for installation is a couple of screwdrivers. Both manufacturers offer extensive DIY installation guides in the box and online. Sensi offers a large FAQ section, which discusses the unitâs installation.
If you donât have a C-wire and need a technician to help you with installation, you have to consider this expense when thinking of buying a thermostat.
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HVAC Compatibility
Both thermostats are compatible with the majority of heating and cooling systems. However, before buying a thermostat, you need to do some quick checking in order not to end up with a useless piece of equipment.
Sensi Touch is compatible with conventional heating and cooling systems, including gas/propane/oil furnaces, air conditioners, electric furnaces, boilers, and more. However, it doesnât work with humidifiers and dehumidifiers. In order to check wire compatibility, you need to remove your old thermostat and check the wires using this compatibility service.
Ecobee3 Lite is compatible with 95% of heating and cooling systems in the United States and Canada. In order to make sure you are not part of the other 5%, you can take advantage of a compatibility checker available on the manufacturerâs website. The checking process is the same as for the Sensi model.
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The Cost
These thermostats come with a similar price tag.
- Sensi Touch MSRP – $169.99
- Ecobee3 Lite MSRP – $169
In case you donât have a C-wire, you may need professional installation for both thermostats. Sensi doesnât offer a PEK in the box, so youâd have to invest in the Emerson Thermostat Common Wire Kit. It will cost you additional $28.
For Ecobee3 Lite, you may need professional installation for some HVAC system. This will also result in additional costs.
In case you have a C-wire and a regular HVAC system, the cost of both thermostats is identical.
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Ecobee3 Lite vs Emerson Sensi Touch: Similarities
Geofencing (Home/Away)
Both thermostats use the geofencing option to âsenseâ?when you are home or away from home. Once you enter the circle around your home, which is âfencedâ?by the thermostat, it will adjust the temperature to your liking. Itâs important to connect all the family membersâ?smartphones to the thermostat, otherwise, this option is useless.
Easy Installation
Both units are subject to DIY installation. There are some nuances in case you donât have a C-wire or own a certain type of HVAC system.
Touchscreen
Both thermostat feature a touchscreen. You can schedule the temperature changes and play around with the settings right on your thermostat without using a smartphone app.
Smartphone App
Both models connect to the smartphone application allowing you to control your thermostat when you are away from home. You can also do it from another room. Both thermostats support iOS and Android.
Smart Alerts
Both thermostats come with the smart alert option. The application will notify you whenever the temperatures in the room are too high or too low. For example, if you are away and the temperatures outside suddenly drop, the environment in your home may become uncomfortable. The thermostat will notify you of the change so you can adjust the heating or cooling accordingly. Push notifications can also tell you when you need to change filters.
Scheduling Option
Both thermostats donât âlearnâ?what type of temperature you prefer at which time of the day, week or month. However, they offer a scheduling feature, which allows you to do it manually. You can access the schedule using touchscreens or apps.
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Ecobee3 Lite vs Emerson Sensi Touch: Differences
Energy Use Insight
Ecobee3 Lite thermostat allows you to access monthly energy usage statistics in order to help you schedule thermostat use wisely next month. Sensi Touch doesnât have such an option.
Indoor Temperature Sensor
Ecobee3 Lite can support additional room indoor sensors in order to maintain different temperatures in different rooms. A room sensor two-pack costs $79.
Sensi Touch doesnât have such an option.
Smart Integration
Both thermostats are compatible with Amazon Alexa, IFTT, Wink, and Apple HomeKit. However, Ecobee3 Lite supports Samsung SmartThings while Sensi doesnât.
Back Glow
Sensi Touch allows the user to regulate the glow of the touchscreen controller. This is important for light sleepers, who prefer to sleep in the dark. Ecobee3 Lite doesnât offer the low lighting option.
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Which One Is Better?
For the same price, Ecobee3 Lite has more features than Sensi Touch ST75. It features a PEK in the box, thus reducing installation costs. This thermostat also has an option of installing extra room sensors. It also provides free energy reports.
Overall, it seems as if Ecobee3 Lite is a better choice than Sensi Touch as long as itâs compatible with your HVAC system.
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