[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.106″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0|0px”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.101″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.101″] A thermostat is an integral part of any house. Surprisingly, it is often viewed as an unimportant detail. Meanwhile, a high-quality thermostat is the key to feeling comfortable in your own home. Today, a variety of smart thermostats is available for the needs of even the pickiest users. Weâve decided to review the Ecobee4 model.
This smart thermostat has a variety of useful features, including voice control and several convenient sensors. Is it all the manufacturer claims it to be? Letâs take a closer look.
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 HVAC Compatibility
No matter how amazing a thermostat is, if itâs not compatible with your HVAC system, itâs a useless piece of plastic (and often an expensive one too). Thankfully, Ecobee4 is compatible with most residential HVAC systems in the USA and Canada.
The thermostat comes with a power extender kit so you donât need to rewire your entire HVAC system in order to provide Ecobee4 the C-wire, without which it wonât operate. In case you need to use the power extender kit, the installation may be more complicated. But once done, youâll have an excellent thermostat system in place.
If you are still in doubt about whether or not your HVAC system is compatible with Ecobee4 thermostat, you can take advantage of the compatibility checker on the manufacturerâs website.
Design and Installation
The thermostat has a sleek design. The controller unit looks excellent on any wall and suits virtually any décor. It comes in a sophisticated black color with an integrated LCD touch display. The screen and the app controls work identically. The small light blue LED bar on top of the unit lights up when you use Alexa. The minimalistic and unobtrusive smartphone-like design of the unit is bound to appeal to a majority of users.
Ecobee4 is easy to install. It doesnât take more than 30 minutes as long as you have some experience installing thermostats. For newbies, Ecobee offers a detailed installation guide, which is highly straightforward. In case you need to install the power extender kit, the installation may take longer.
Ecobee also offers a variety of YouTube installation videos making the process even easier. Overall, the installation is not completely painless. You need to know how to use several tools, such as a screwdriver, and a drill. Sometimes it turns out that removing the old thermostat is often even trickier than installing Ecobee4.
Features
Ecobee4 has a variety of smart features making it a convenient addition to your home.
1.Alexa Skills
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Itâs nice to have an Alexa device mounted on your wall. It responds to voice commands. The thermostat can tell you about the weather, latest news, and the temperature in your home. The far-field voice recognition technology helps the thermostat recognize your voice from across the room.
The thermostat is equipped with a large speaker. The manufacturer claims it to be loud and clear, however, we found it to be sort of weak. In any case, this is not an important downside for a thermostat. But donât hope to use it as your primary Alexa device.
Right now, the thermostat responds only to âAlexaâ?wake word. But this might be updated in the future.
The unit has an echo spatial perception (ESP) feature. It means that if you have several Alexa devices in your home, only the closest one responds when you say the wake word.
2.Home/Away Mode
The thermostat is equipped with a sensor to tell if you are home or away. The unit automatically sets the temperature according to your location. If you are away from home, the energy-saving mode is turned on. Once you stay home, the thermostat adjusts the temperature.
3.Follow Me
This smart feature allows the thermostat to adjust the temperature when you are in a certain room. The unit is equipped with remote sensors, which help it collect information about people and temperatures around the house.
In case, many rooms are occupied, the smart device will take the average of the sensors to adjust the temperature. The Follow Me feature can be disabled if not needed.
4.IQ System Reports
Ecobee4 App (for both iOS and Android) allows you to take advantage of the IQ system report in order to see how energy-efficient your thermostat use is. You can find out a variety of factors that influence the work of your heating and cooling systems, such as weather, schedule (home/away), time spent in different rooms (follow me).
5.Schedule a Vacation
The thermostat allows you to set vacation dates and minimum and maximum temperatures you want to be maintained while you are away. This is a useful feature for those homeowners, who want to save energy during their vacation time, but often forget to change the settings in a rush before leaving.
6.Reminders and Alerts
The thermostat will alert you when the temperatures in the home are inappropriately high or low in order to check if the system is malfunctioning. It also has built-in reminders for equipment maintenance. You can check the enabled alerts in the main menu and change them according to your preferences.
7.Comfort On The Go
An easy to use app allows you to work with your thermostat from anywhere. You can change the settings without getting off the bed or adjust the features on your way to the office.
Overall Performance
Ecobee4 shows excellent performance. It responds to the commands immediately and adjusts the temperature according to your preferences. If used properly, this thermostat can save energy and lower your energy bills.
Pros:
- Minimalistic yet sleek design
- Alexa skills
- Energy saving properties
- Remote sensors
- Integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT
- Simple installation
Cons:
- Weak speaker
- Limited geofencing (only for Android users)
- Supports 4 GHz band WiFi only
- High price
Final Verdict
Ecobee4 is an excellent thermostat for anyone, who is not scared of the price tag (around $250). The thermostat offers impressive energy saving properties, Alexa skills, variety of smart sensors, excellent design, and easy installation. Overall, it can be a wonderful choice for any homeowner.
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