Buffalo-area residents are being urged to keep an eye open for their package deliveries, before those deliveries disappear from their porches and steps.

Buffalo Police are seeing an uptick in packages stolen from porches, based on daily briefings with Buffalo Police Department chiefs, according to Buffalo Police Capt. Jeff Rinaldo.

He said this is in part because people are leaving their package deliveries on their front porches longer because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"People are leaving things outside on the porch longer, probably because they're concerned with the package and are trying to let it air out. But the flip side of that is they're making it more attractive for somebody that has ill-intentions," Rinaldo said.

Even though a stolen package was reported to City of Tonawanda Police earlier this week by a resident who provided officers with home surveillance video of the theft, City of Tonawanda Police Capt. Fredrick Foels said his department has not seen an increase in package larcenies since the outbreak. That's despite the fact that more people are home during the day since the pandemic.

"I don't think thieves care, or not, if people are home. They will take the chance if they see ... packages are left on door steps," Foels said.

He noted that such larcenies are performed relatively quickly, which Foels said was the case in the most recent such theft in the City of Tonawanda.

"The thief ran from his car, plucked the package and quickly exited. Unattended packages left for a period of time is a crime of opportunity for any thief," Foels added.

Buffalo Police are reminding residents to check periodically if they are expecting the delivery of a package and bring it inside soon after it arrives.

"We would still recommend to people to take the packages into their homes as soon as possible," Rinaldo said.

If possible, he suggested letting a neighbor know they have a package delivery on their porch or temporarily take possession of the package until they get home to minimize the chance of it getting stolen.

"Be a good neighbor and take the package," Rinaldo said.

Read more:
Buffalo Police report uptick in porch package thefts - Buffalo News

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Planters on the porch - KCTV Kansas City

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE On Romney Place on Friday night, neighbors gathered on the front lawn of one of the historic houses in this quiet neighborhood, joking and checking in with each other.

The weather had warmed that evening, so it would not have been unusual for those walking their dogs to stop and chat or to call out a hello to someone on a front porch. But these are far from usual times.

Those gathered carefully, if somewhat self-consciously, kept a 6-foot distance from their neighbors at Middle Townships first Friday Night Front Porch Social (Distancing) Hour, proposed as a way to keep community connections strong while adhering to guidelines enacted to blunt the spread of COVID-19.

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE With COVID-19 infections continuing to climb statewide, Cape May Coun

Mayor Timothy Donohue proposed the idea on the community Facebook page Middle Township Coronavirus Info Group, suggesting people throughout the township go out on their front porches starting at 6 p.m.

While we should be physically distancing, we need to remain the vibrant, sharing, caring community that makes Middle Township so great, he wrote. Grab your favorite beverage and safely gather with your fellow shelter-in-placers.

He suggested greeting neighbors from a safe distance and raising a glass, and then sharing images and videos to social media. Several neighbors posted images and greetings even before the suggested start time of 6 p.m.

Residents posted photos of themselves, often with their dogs, either on lawns or porches.

They included Township Committeeman Ike Gandy and his family on their front stoop.

People in several neighborhoods throughout the township turned out.

On Poplar Avenue, Tammy Scull and her daughter Briana said they heard about the plan from their neighbors across the street, Bill and Tracey Labrum, who heard about it from their friend from around the corner, Beth Metzger, who saw it on Facebook.

Tracey Labrum is the director of the early education center at Cape Regional Medical Center. The center is usually open to the community, but under the current restrictions it only serves the children of essential personnel at the hospital. She said she is glad to be able to help the front-line medical workers, calling them heroes.

God bless the nurses and doctors, she said.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP The township is making the most of the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

The Poplar Avenue neighbors waved at each other from across the narrow street.

Nearby, on Romney Place, Peggy Mauger had her dog, Tonto, out for a walk and stopped by to speak with Connie Corrado and other neighbors. She said the neighborhood is filled with historic houses and has a strong sense of community, where neighbors know each others names.

Corrado was on her porch with her grandson, Nate, 8. Gail Tweed, another neighbor, left her porch to be able to speak with the others without shouting, but said she would keep the recommended distance.

She said she spent much of her day sewing masks for oncology patients where her daughter works. She said quilting groups and other organizations have organized to make protective gear.

Face masks, gloves and other supplies have been in short supply since the start of the outbreak.

With more than 13,000 cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey including nine in Cape May County, by the states count, and three in Middle Township, according to the county federal and state officials have imposed strict measures aimed at slowing the infection rate.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP Police on Thursday notified residents that out-of-state cars parked at a t

That has included closing schools and most other gathering places and shutting nonessential businesses, measures expected to be in place for weeks at least.

But, at least for one night in Middle Township, neighbors left the light on for each other.

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Middle Township porch parties aimed at keeping neighborhood connections safely - Press of Atlantic City

EJ Dougher, known as EJ The DJ, plays music on his back yard patio at his West Scranton home on Monday, March 30, 2020. With his DJ schedule cleared for the month due to COVID-19, Dougher broadcasts a live stream dance party every afternoon on Facebook Live.Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer

Unable to work during the coronavirus pandemic, EJ Dougher still manages to get thousands of people on their feet and dancing.

Now should be the start of the busy season for the West Scranton DJ, known as EJ the DJ. But, with weddings postponed and the school events for which he often provides music canceled, Dougher still wanted to reach an audience.

Each day, he sets up his equipment, wears his signature hat and hosts live dance parties on Facebook, from his party porch.

I thought if I could get everyone up and dancing for one hour, it would be great, he said. They forget about whats going on.

Family, friends and complete strangers say they do just that: enjoy the music from their homes, without worrying about the outbreak.

Dougher mentions birthdays and anniversaries and highlights local businesses that remain open, or businesses that people can support by buying gift certificates. His live videos are often viewed 4,000 times or more.

His wife, Penny, acts as producer, and daughters Olivia, 16, and McCae, 19, make dance party appearances too.

Its been cool, Olivia said. Its hard for him with his job, not being able to do anything. ... Its been nice to see my dad happy.

McCae thought the dance parties would just reach some of her dads friends, not people from around the world.

Its a good way to spread positivity, especially in times like this, she said.

Contact the writer:

shofius@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9133;

@hofiushallTT on Twitter

Editors note: As Northeast Pennsylvania deals with the coronavirus, residents continue to help their neighbors and serve others. Let us know about the good things happening in our communities by sending an email to the newsroom at shofius@timesshamrock.com or calling us at 570-348-9133.

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Party porch brings smiles and dancing to NEPA - Scranton Times-Tribune

"I just thought it would be so nice to do something to tell the community, 'Hey, we're still here, we're still altogether,'" DeRosa said before pausing and becoming choked up. "Even though it's so hard."

Smith's' family was DeRosa's first session. The teacher visited Smith, Jacob and her children, Marley Foltz, 10, Robert Foltz, 8, and Hagan Smith, 10 months, around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Smith said her family has largely been inside recently, so the session gave them a much-needed break from the home-bound monotony and allowed Smith to do some decorating, as she put a wreath in the background of her porch. She said they bought their house in late September last year so she wanted to "hang a big picture up." Smith said her family was appreciative of DeRosa's efforts.

"I just love her for this, and I think a lot of other people do too," Smith said.

DeRosa stressed she does not want to be paid for this and added she will be accepting donations at some point, but hasn't decided where she wants the money to go.

She talked about what keeps her balancing being a mother of three children and creating lessons for her school children and driving across Auburn for photos.

"The ability to bring happiness to others, everybody needs it right now," she said. "We need something to look forward to, we need something to make us happy."

Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.

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Positivity on the porch: Auburn teacher photographs families during COVID-19 pandemic - The Citizen

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market to 2027 - Global Analysis and Forecasts by Vehicle Type; LCV Type; M&HCV Type" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global commercial vehicle wiring harness market was valued at US$ 11.5 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach US$ 16 billion by 2027 with a CAGR growth rate of 3.9% in the forecast period from 2019 to 2027.

The continuous modernizations in the field of technologies for a wide variety of applications in the lightweight commercial vehicle (LCV), medium & heavyweight commercial vehicle (HCV) are attracting several automakers across the world, which is paving the path for commercial vehicle wiring harness market in the current scenario. Moreover, the automotive industry is experiencing growth in the strategic partnerships between the automakers and wiring harness manufacturers to boost the commercial vehicle wiring harness market.

North America region accounted for the highest market share in 2018, nearly 45% of the entire market. The dominance of North America in the global commercial vehicle wiring harness market is since; the country houses a large number of automotive OEMs, telematics companies, and semiconductor companies.

Additionally, the trend of adoption of newer technologies and solutions is also high in the country, which has pushed the residents to opt for an electric vehicle. As the electronics components are being increasingly introduced into modern commercial vehicles, the wiring is becoming increasingly significant, since the installation of wiring is essential for additional safety and connectivity systems.

Automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in the region are searching for new electrical architectures to streamline harness designs in order to minimize wiring complexity as well as cost. This factor is heavily fueling the growth of commercial vehicle wiring harness market in the country, which is catalyzing the growth of commercial vehicle wiring harness market in North America substantially.

APAC region held the second largest market share in the global commercial vehicle wiring harness market in 2018, followed by Europe. China is one of the prominent leaders in global electric vehicle development globally and ranks first in the Asia Pacific region. Likewise, the country houses a number of automobile manufacturers, and in the current scenario, these automakers in China are investing significantly in order to acquire advanced wiring harness products.

The companies present in the region are highly focused on providing wires and cables for a commercial vehicle. For instance, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., one of the prominent players in the commercial vehicle wiring harness market, designs high-voltage wiring harnesses and connectors; the government is also highly investing in the automotive industry. Also, the production of commercial vehicles in APAC in 2018 was 4,229,563 units; thus, these factors make it the fastest-growing region.

The commercial vehicle wiring harness market is segmented on vehicle type. The vehicle type segment is bifurcated into LCV Type and M&HCV Type. The LCV type segment is sub-segmented into SUV, pickups, minitrucks, and minivans. Further, the M&HCV type segment of commercial vehicle wiring harness market is sub-segmented into medium and heavy trucks, heavy mining vehicle, heavy construction vehicle, heavy agriculture vehicle, and medium agriculture vehicle/tractor.

The heavy agriculture vehicle sub-segment is expected to witness a highest CAGR in the commercial vehicle wiring harness market during the forecast period. The demand of heavy agriculture vehicle in developing countries such as India, Mexico, Argentina, is preopening the growth of commercial vehicle wiring harness market. The growing agricultural industry across the globe is demanding advanced agriculture vehicle for increasing the crop yield.

Moreover, medium and heavy trucks is expected to dominate the commercial vehicle wiring harness market throughout the forecast period. These trucks are engineered mainly to operate under tough conditions, as well as manufactured by integrating best-in-class auto technology to offer an outstanding trucking experience to its customers. Thus, the demand of medium and heavy trucks is boosting globally.

Some of the key players in the commercial vehicle wiring harness market are Motherson Sumi Systems Limited, DRXLMAIER Group, AME Systems (Vic) Pty Ltd, Yazaki Corporation, THB Group, Sumitomo Electric Group, SPARK MINDA (Ashok Minda Group), Nexans Autoelectric, Lear Corporation, and Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.

Kromberg & Schubert, Precision Cable Assemblies, AMSCO U.S. Inc, InterLnX, Inc., Boomslang Fabrication LLC, and Altex are some of the other market players from value chain which are not profiled in the report but the can be included based on request.

Reasons to Buy

Key Topics Covered

1. Introduction

1.1 Scope of the Study

1.2 Report Guidance

1.3 Market Segmentation

2. Key Takeaways

3. Research Methodology

3.1 Coverage

3.2 Secondary Research

3.3 Primary Research

4. Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Landscape

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Ecosystem Analysis

4.3 Pest Analysis

4.3.1 North America - PEST Analysis

4.3.2 Europe - PEST Analysis

4.3.3 Asia Pacific - PEST Analysis

4.3.4 Middle-East and Africa - PEST Analysis

4.3.5 South America - PEST Analysis

5. Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market - Key Market Dynamics

5.1 Key Market Drivers

5.1.1 Boosting Demand for Electric Vehicles

5.2 Key Market Restraints

5.2.1 Integration of Wiring Harness Enhance the Upfront Cost of Vehicle

5.3 Key Market Opportunities

5.3.1 Growing Trend of Electric Truck Production

5.4 Future Trends

5.4.1 Mounting Focus on the Integration of Light Weight Wires and Cables

5.5 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints

6. Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market - Global Market Analysis

6.1 Global Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Overview

6.2 Global Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness market Forecast and Analysis

6.3 Market Positioning:

7. Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market - By Vehicle Type

7.1 Overview

7.2 Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Breakdown, by Vehicle Type, 2018 and 2027

7.3 Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV)

7.4 Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles (M&HCV)

8. Global Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market - Geographic Analysis

8.2 Europe Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Revenue And Forecast To 2027

8.3 APAC Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market, Revenue and Forecast To 2027

8.4 MEA Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market, Revenue and Forecast To 2027

8.5 South America Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Revenue And Forecast To 2027

9. Global Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Market - Industry Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Market Initiatives

9.3 Mergers & Acquisitions

9.4 New Developments

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/59ocb5

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Global Commercial Vehicle Wiring Harness Markets, 2020-2027: Mounting Focus on the Integration of Light Weight Wires and Cables -...

Outotec is looking to maximise grinding mill availability with a new modular system that provides all control functions required for the safe operation of equipment, and its associated lubrication systems, as well as continuous condition monitoring.

The Outotec Mill Control System allows for advanced condition monitoring strategies, including remote expert support, to ensure maximum mill availability, the company says.

It proactively detects anomalies using diagnostic data from IO-Link instruments to determine instrument health and detect installation problems before they cause downtime, according to the company.

Remote connectivity hardware is included as standard, enabling connection to Outotecs Connected Services for remote diagnostics and support. Plant owners can also take advantage of Outotecs cloud-based Asset Analytics service to gain valuable insights over the condition and performance of their assets, the company says.

The system uses standard hardware and software components that are common across Outotec product lines for improved availability of support resources and spare parts and meets all relevant EU safety directives and other key international safety standards, Outotec said.

IO-Link technology, an international standard according to IEC 61131-9, enables digitalisation and smart instruments by allowing for extended diagnosis of sensors and actuators, and the use of IO-Link instruments contributes to time and cost savings as the single interface means fewer input/output spares are required, according to the company.

In addition to increased mill availability, Outotec says it Mill Control System significantly reduces the commissioning time and cost associated with implementing similar systems, provides a shorter engineering lead time and superior installation quality thanks to simplified wiring and termination design as well as standardised software and hardware modules; comes with reduced project risks as the complete solution is delivered under one contract; and ensures compliance and reduced risk with state-of-the-art safety-rated hardware.

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Outotec to provide proactive condition monitoring system for grinding mills - International Mining

A certificate of occupancy (CO) is an exercise in bureaucracy that can both annoy and protect investors and owner-occupied homebuyers, especially when it comes to multifamily, new construction, and converted use.

The annoying part is satisfying possibly picky government-employed or contracted inspectors that a structure is safe, sound, and ready for human occupation. The protection part is that doing so ensures that the place can be legally sold, bought, occupied by the owner, and/or rented.

Since earning a CO ensures that a structure has passed specific inspections, including for fire safety, electrical wiring, plumbing, and structural integrity, not one person is likely to have all those licensed skill sets. Multiple inspections are often involved, including by fire marshals, electricians, plumbers, city engineers, or more, depending on the scope of the project.

Rules vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and lenders also will have their own rules about when they'll fork over the financing during different phases of a project's journey, including some that may require a temporary certificate of occupancy or a certificate of substantial completion.

That's not to downplay the final certificate's importance. After all, the CO is the grand finale for the paperwork and processes that typically begin with zoning-approved permits and ideally end with the moving van at the front door.

Indeed, delays and distractions in getting one in hand have delayed many a good plan. And ignoring them altogether can end up in unbudgeted expenses, like fines and delay-related financing and construction costs.

Plus, if you don't have one, you might not be able to sell a property or even legally collect rent, as noted by Brick Underground, a New York City real estate news and information site.

The CO can come with different names depending on the issuer. Use and occupancy certificate is another example of a widely used title for the same thing. Another example is in Detroit, where it's called a certificate of compliance and is required to get a certificate of registration to rent the property, if that's the plan.

By any name, a certificate of occupancy is required by most local governments and does just that: It certifies that a building can be occupied. Reasons for needing one can include:

Many jurisdictions have multiple steps required to earn the CO, and it's advisable that stakeholders begin the process as soon as possible, ideally when the project is still on the drawing board.

To help your research, Seattle-based lender Assets America, which provides commercial loans of $5 million to $500 million nationwide, provides links to the governmental CO providers in 14 major U.S. markets on this page.

And here's what the CO overseer of one of the largest of all American markets, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, provides in the way of online information, applications, and steps for following the process as it moves forward -- or not.

Finally, here's a good example of the requirements from the city government where I live in Columbia, South Carolina:

A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

The Building Official shall issue a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) stating the nature of the occupancy permitted, the number of persons for each floor when limited by law, and the allowable load per square foot for each floor in accordance with the provisions of the International Building Code. The CO may be issued only upon satisfactory completion of construction of a building or structure and installation of electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing systems in accordance with the technical codes, reviewed plans and specifications, and after the final inspection. The Building Inspector must submit the Inspection Record to the Building Official prior to processing the Certificate of Occupancy.

That's just one example. If you're considering building a new house or multifamily structure or buying an existing one, be sure to check on that all-important CO. They exist to protect you, your potential investment, and the neighborhood and community where you may soon be putting your money.

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What Real Estate Investors Should Know About the Certificate of Occupancy - Motley Fool

The entire progress of their attempt can be seen on their Facebook page, VentilaTM. Short time ago, one of the team members announced their four prototype enters into production, after improving their work up until the doctors approved the mechanism.

According to http://www.start-up.ro, theproject was initiated by Radu Ticiu, and a design team made up of specialists from Symme3D, led by Clin Brandabur (the Timisoara startup has created 3 years ago a 3D bio-printer that can print live tissue). The prototyped versions of the ventilator were tested with doctors from the Pius Branzeu Center of UMFT by spirometry methods but also on animals from the biobase of the center.

Same source mentions thatThe Symme3D founder stated that the production price of the device will not exceed EUR 200 euros, and we will offer them free of charge with the help of several foundations including eMAG, BMW and many more (the list is very long) in hospitals in Romania and beyond.

VentilaTM team is also looking for 3D printers owners who want to help out with this project. You can notice them using this form.

Moreover, up until now, in Timisoara, the team behind VentilaTM has developed a separation flow and decontamination area for medical personnel entering and leaving the patient care section of the ICU section of the Orthopedics department of the County Hospital, and also a quick wiring for the installation of a Centralized Patient Monitoring System in the same section.

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The initiative group VentilaTM to create first ventilators with 3D printed components - Business Review

According to the United States Energy Information Administration, space heating and air conditioning make up more than half of the average homes energy consumption. If youre looking to cut down on your heating and cooling costs, a smart thermostat is a solution.

The latest smart thermostats include features like remote sensors, geofencing, AI machine learning, automation, scheduling, and much more. Because they can run your homes climate systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, or HVAC) more efficiently, theres a sustainability factor as well. Our guide recommends models that are a breeze to install, could help increase energy savings, and are effortless to operate whether manually, using an app, or over voice control.

When we examined each model, we considered its smart features, automation capabilities, and capacity for energy savings. We also noted how easy they are to install and operate. We explain our testing and research procedures in more detail as well as other models we looked at that didnt make the cut.

Our pick for the best smart thermostat overall is the Google Nest Thermostat E, which is also our pick for the best thermostat in general. We like it because its well-priced and it ticks the boxes on our checklist.

Updated on 3/30/2020 by James Brains: We selected new recommendations based on new research and testing. We also noted what other smart thermostats we looked at, as well as how we picked which to recommend.

The Thermostat E (model number T4000ES) from Google Nest is a more affordable yet feature-rich version of the flagship Learning Thermostat (third generation). Its not only our pick for the best smart thermostat overall, its also our best thermostat recommendation overall.

With the companion Nest app on your phone, you can control your homes HVAC system from anywhere, since the Thermostat E is connected to your home Wi-Fi. The app also guides you with simple instructions for installation, saving energy, and making temperature adjustments.

You can use the app to easily set up a schedule that keeps you feeling comfortable while at home, and save on energy costs when youre away or asleep. With its built-in sensor and geofencing feature, the thermostat can also turn down the heat or AC when you leave the house (additional sensors can be installed for larger homes). Nest has a learning function that automatically makes adjustments or recommendations based on your energy usage history. It supports both Alexa and Google Assistant, but it plays better with the latter, of course.

Although it functions like the more expensive Learning Thermostat, it only comes in durable white plastic (the Learning Thermostat is made out of metal and comes in many colors); it has a lower-resolution display that can be difficult to read; and its compatible with 85% of HVAC systems (compared to 95% for the Learning Thermostat). You also cant pull up the time or weather on the display, as you can on the higher-end model.

However, the Thermostat E offers the same great smart functions as its sibling: Remote control, auto temperature adjustment, and the ability to learn your household habits and adjust the climate accordingly. As long as your HVAC system is compatible and you can do without the frills, the Thermostat E is a great buy. We also think the white plastic looks good, too.

Pros: Excellent app, features eco mode with geofencing, uses machine-learning AI to optimize your schedule, simple installation, attractive look

Cons: Doesnt work with most non-Nest/Alexa devices, the screen is difficult to read due to low contrast, doesnt support all HVAC systems

The third-generation Google Nest Learning Thermostat (model number T3007ES) and our top pick, the Thermostat E, share a lot in common. Both work with several two-wire systems. Both integrate well with Google Nest smart devices and support Alexa. And, both have outstanding learning capabilities: The thermostats will start heating or cooling based on how long it takes for your home to adjust to the setpoints you have scheduled, so the temp will be where you want it, when you want it.

The biggest differences between Google Nests top thermostats is the Learning Thermostat has a two-year warranty (versus one-year for the E), the Learning Thermostats big display has a higher contrast for easier readability, and this model only costs about $45 more.

The Learning Thermostat is also available in four trims to complement your dcor: stainless steel, bronze, copper, and white. If a longer warranty, higher contrast display, and choice of trim are important to you, this model may be worth the extra expenditure. Otherwise the Thermostat E works just as well with most HVAC systems.

Whether you pick this or the Thermostat E, both are solid options.

Pros: Learns from your behaviors and your homes thermal characteristics, geofencing, works with Google and Alexa smart home, easy to install, terrific app, high-contrast display

Cons: Pricier than Thermostat E with nearly the same functions

The Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat (model number ST55) stands out because it provides many of the same high-end features found in top-of-the-line smart thermostats that cost twice as much. The intuitive app has several video tutorials that make installation and programming tasks a breeze. And, it works with Amazons Alexa.

You can set up geofencing in the app and also choose a custom flexible schedule. Saving on your energy bills is effortless thanks to the usage report generated by the device. If there are extreme temperature or humidity conditions in your home, the app will send you notifications immediately so you can avoid potential problems.

The unit itself looks more like a traditional thermostat and less like a smart home device. If you want the latter, Emerson has the newer Sensi ST75, but it costs $50 more and requires a C-wire.

Note: The first-generation Sensi Thermostat was recalled due to fire safety issues. You probably wont find this model for sale anywhere, but do make sure you buy one from a reputable retailer.

Pros: Accurate temperature readings, the app makes installation effortless, access HVAC settings from anywhere, custom temperature control settings and options, cheapest of our recommendations

Cons: Requires a strong Wi-Fi signal, not compatible with all smart home products

The GoControl Z-Wave Battery-Powered Smart Thermostat (model number BRO-NTBZ48) takes a unique approach to the smart paradigm. Rather than connecting to your homes Wi-Fi for remote access, the GoControl unit relies upon Z-wave technology. This has its pitfalls and advantages. Z-wave is great because it doesnt require much power so it can be used in a two-wire setup with batteries, or you can power it using a C-wire.

However, to get many of the features common in most smart thermostats, you have to rely heavily on your Z-wave hub or controller. One of the most popular solutions is the Samsung SmartThings hub, which allows you to adjust your homes setpoint from anywhere and to make a schedule. Unfortunately, on its own without a good Z-wave hub, the GoControl unit is basically just a non-programmable digital thermostat.

Pros: Affordable, uses low power-consuming Z-wave technology, doesnt require C-wire, can be battery-powered, can control multi-stage heating and cooling appliances

Cons: Requires a high-quality Z-wave smart home hub for most common smart features, including remote access and programming

All of our recommendations support voice assistants via a smart speaker, but the Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control is unique in that it has a built-in Alexa smart speaker, similar to an Amazon echo product. That means the SmartThermostat not only controls your homes climate system, but it can also stream podcasts and music, send messages or make calls, control other Alexa-compatible devices, and other skills you would use Alexa for.

If you already have Amazon Echo devices installed in your home, adding another one might be overkill. But, if youre outfitting your home to be smart from scratch or you hate having devices littered all over the house, this hybrid thermostat/smart speaker is an elegant solution. When placed in a social area, you can also use it for entertaining.

The SmartThermostat comes with a SmartSensor, which takes temperature readings and senses occupancy in the room where you place it. It reports this information back to the thermostat, which then adjusts the heat or AC.

I installed the SmartThermostat with two SmartSensors in my house. The sensors do a great job of taking accurate temperature readings and help regulate the comfort settings in my drafty, three-story house. I had a little trouble keeping the SmartSensors connected at first, but this was due to a bug in earlier models; Ecobee has since fixed this problem.

I like that I can easily set up a schedule using the app. And, after a few minor tweaks during first use, I no longer have to think about adjusting the thermostat anymore.

Although its fun to ask my thermostat to tell my Roomba to start cleaning, I ultimately found the voice control to be more of a novelty. On the other hand, the speaker is quite useful: My thermostat is in the dining room, where its nice to have a little background music once in a while.

Pros: Dual-band Wi-Fi, built-in Alexa, high-quality speaker, works with the most popular home automation systems, intuitive app

Cons: Doesnt work with all HVAC systems, difficulty connecting remote sensors

While researching this guide, we considered dozens of smart thermostat models. Here are five that just missed the cut.

Honeywell Home RCHT8612WF T5 Plus Wi-Fi Touchscreen: Theres a lot to like about this thermostat. Its affordable, supports Apple HomeKit and Alexa, and according to expert sites, like The Wirecutter, it works as advertised. However, it isnt as easy to use as the models in our guide, and you need a C-wire to install it. It also lacks the high-end features you find with the Nest and Ecobee units, like auto-creating custom schedules.

Ecobee4: The fourth-generation Ecobee was in the last update of our guide because it was the first thermostat to have a built-in digital assistant, Alexa. Plus, you can use it with a variety of other smart home systems. Its also easy to use and well designed. Though its more expensive, the latest Ecobee SmartThermostat is a better solution since it has an outstanding speaker and comes with a SmartSensor.

Honeywell RCHT9610WFSW2003 RCHT9610WFSW Home T9: This Honeywell unit comes with a remote sensor that gauges the rooms occupancy, humidity, and temperature and delivers comfort where you want it most. It also has geofencing, monthly energy reports, easy installation, and works with the most popular home automation systems, except HomeKit. Unfortunately, the thermostat doesnt allow you to use a schedule and geofencing at the same time you have to choose one or the other.

Glas by Johnson Controls: The highlight of the Glas is its artistic, transparent display that allows it to blend with the wall that its mounted on. In its resting state, theres no info on the display, but when it senses motion, it offers up the current room temperature, setpoint, and system state in large, easy-to-read characters. At this price point, one might expect all the whistles and bells, but the Glas is missing geofencing and on-thermostat password protection.

Schneider Electric Wiser Air Wi-Fi: Consumer Reports recommends this Schneider thermostat because its EcoIQ mode can learn the heating and cooling characteristics of your home and your behaviors and automatically adjust accordingly for maximum comfort. On the downside, it lacks geofencing, password protection, and the only way to create an operating schedule is in the app you cant do it on the thermostat.

There are many characteristics I look for in a high-quality smart thermostat. When possible, I test units firsthand. I also research the assessments of other established reviewers, like Consumer Reports and CNET. Im able to compare the key performance indicators of top models after looking through the manufacturers specs and analyzing my and other experts testing and research.

Installation: You can save hundreds of dollars by installing your thermostat yourself instead of hiring a professional. First, you must determine whether the thermostat is compatible with your wiring. Most manufacturers provide steps for doing this. Specifically, youll want to determine whether you have a C-wire. If not, youll need a thermostat that doesnt require a C-wire. Also, we try to find thermostats that install quickly typically in under an hour without the use of specialized tools.

Smart features: If youre shelling out the big bucks for a smart thermostat, you want the smart features. Popular features we look for are geofencing that can sense when you are home or away, learning based on your behavior and how your home heats up and cools down, remote sensors, compatibilities with digital assistants (e.g., Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, etc.), integration into smart home systems, and more.

Ease of use: Whether youre adjusting it manually, accessing it remotely via the app, or using voice controls, smart thermostats must be easy to use. This includes having an intuitive menu interface and maintaining a consistent Wi-Fi connection.

Automation: Though ease-of-use is nice, you also want to be able to set up your thermostat and forget about it. At a basic level, you should be able to schedule your thermostat to provide the most comfort when you are home and awake and to save money when you are away or asleep. Several smart features aid with the automation, such as sensors that adjust based on the temperature and occupancy of specific rooms, geofencing tracking whether youre home or away, and algorithms assessing how long it takes to heat and cool your home.

Energy savings: Though most smart thermostats are sure to pay for themselves in energy savings, the best models leverage smart features and your energy use history to save you even more. Energy Star certification is important and can earn you a rebate. All of the Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostats in our guide are Energy Star-certified.

Link:
The best smart thermostats - Business Insider