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Today we compare two of the best smart thermostats available in the market. There is no denying the fact that both thermostats have been designed for perfection and offer features that are far better than a normal thermostat.
Ecobee3 Lite and Honeywell Lyric T5 is all about the small differences that are there between the two. We certainly not mean to prove one thermostat better over the other; both thermostats have proven their worth with quality features. However, highlighting the differences will enable the readers and potential customers to make better decisions and purchase the thermostat that best fits your preferences.
So, let’s get going with the Ecobee3 Lite VS Honeywell Lyric T5!
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The Similarities
The features below are similar in both Ecobee3 Lite and Honeywell Lyric T5.
Easy installation process
Both thermostats can easily be installed within an hour by following the guidelines given in the mobile app or the guidebook.
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ecobee3 lite is also easy to install if you have C-wire,and it also not so hard to install without C-wire since there is a PEK unit come with ecobee3 lite.
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Smart Control
Both thermostats can be controlled remotely through mobile device via WiFi,and them share some same features as bellow:
- Temperature schedule:Set a schedule for your cooling or heating.
- Geofencing: Both thermostats use Geofencing technology to track your presence or absence at home and then update your Thermostat accordingly.
- Alerts and reminders: Push notifications remind you of filter changes or warn you of unusual temperature change in your home.
Smart Home integration
- Amazon Echo supported: You can adjust the temperature using voice commands.
- IOS and Android supported
- Apple HomeKit supported
- Local Weather forecast
- Compatible with conventional Forced Air systems, Heat Pump systems, Boiler systems, and Cooling systems.
Others
- ENERGY STAR® certified: Both products are ENERGY STAR® certified thermostat.
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The differences
Wi-Fi Connection
The most prominent difference between the two smart thermostats is the Wi-Fi band and protocol. The Ecobee3 Lite supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz and 915MHz, future expansion slot whereas the Honeywell lyric T5 supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi in DHCP mode only. Hence, the compatibility of the Ecobee3 Lite increases greatly with the modern mobile devices and smart home assistants as compared to Honeywell Lyric T5.
Other major differences are listed in the table below:
| Ecobee3 Lite | Honeywell lyric T5 | |
| Work with remote sensors | YES | NO |
| Home IQâ?/td> | YES | NO |
| Open API | YES | NO |
| Web portal | YES | NO |
| Samsung SmartThings | YES | NO |
| IFTTT | YES | NO |
| Other smart home automation platforms | YES | NO |
| Onscreen alerts & reminders | YES | NO |
| Weather forecast | 4 days | 12 hours |
| Warranty years | 3 | 5 |
| Estimated energy savings | 23% | Variable |
HVAC compatibility
Ecobee3 Lite is compatible with most of the residential and commercial HVAC systems used in North America. These systems include residential HVAC systems, boiler systems, furnaces, and heat pumps. The company provides a DIY compatibility check page on its website. You can compare your HVAC wiring with that of the thermostat and determine if your HVAC system is compatible with the thermostat or not.
Honeywell Lyric T5 requires a 24 VAC power/ C wire to be connected from your HVAC system. Apart from that, it is compatible with most of the low-power domestic and commercial HVAC systems in North America.
Electrical
Both thermostats are compatible with 24V AC controls. Most of the smart thermostat models are compatible with the low voltage systems and need 18-30 volts to power up and operate.
Non-Compatibility:
The Ecobee3 Lite is not compatible with:
- Millivolt (mV) Systems (Systems that do not use electricity such as fireplaces and wood stoves.)
- DC Voltage Systems
- High Voltage (Line Voltage systems that require 110- 240 Volts to operate such as electric heaters.)
The Honeywell Lyric T5 is not compatible with:
- Millivolt (mV) Systems
- DC Voltage Systems
- High Voltage Systems (110-240 V)
- Universal Relays for ventilation (U terminals)
- Universal Input for sensors (S terminals)
Heating and Cooling Systems
Furnace and Air Conditioning
- Two stages of heating
- Two stages of cooling
- Single speed fan control
Heat Pump (with or without Auxiliary Heating)
- Two stages of heat pump heating
- Two stages of heat pump cooling
- Single speed fan control
- Two stages of auxiliary heating
Boiler Systems
- Two stages of heating
NOTE: Installing an Ecobee3 Lite to a boiler system typically involves additional wiring.
Boiler and Air Conditioning Systems
- Two stages of heating
- Two stages of cooling
- Single speed fan control
NOTE: Installing an Ecobee3 Lite to a boiler and air conditioning system might require additional wiring.
Accessories
Both the Ecobee3 Lite and Honeywell Lyric T5 do not support home accessories. So, if you have humidifiers, dehumidifiers, or heat recovery ventilators, you have to control them manually.
Installation Procedure
Honeywell Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Thermostat requires a C wire or Common wire to be connected to the C terminal in the thermostat and at the equipment terminal. Ecobee3 Lite supports C wire and Power Extender Kit (PEK).
Both Honeywell Lyric T5 and Ecobee3 Lite both provide an easy DIY installation procedure. The complete guide is provided as a manual in the box and also in the mobile app.
The cost
The Ecobee3 Lite costs around $169 whereas Honeywell Lyric T5 comes slightly cheaper at $149.99.
Note: Some utility companies offer rebates on technology-assisted energy saving and by using a smart thermostat, you qualify for it. It is good to check with your utility company whether they offer any rebates on using smart thermostats. If they do, you will not only have a comfortable home but also get paid for it.
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Which one is better?
So, here we are, we looked at both the thermostats from all the angles; we looked at their dimensions, features, compatibilities, non-compatibilities, similarities, and differences.
The discussion boils down to one point; if you are looking to buy a thermostat, make sure that it is fully compatible with the HVAC that you have in your home.
If your HVAC system is compatible with both the thermostats, comparing both the features suggest that Ecobee3 has slightly better features than the Honeywell Lyric. While Honeywell lyric has all the features of a good smart thermostat, Ecobee3 comes out as the better among the two with remote sensors, bigger and user-friendly
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