Smart thermostats can make sure it's the right temperature indoors andcan help reduce your energy bill, too. Thats because these devices can monitor temperature and humidity inside and outside your home, your comings and goings, and tailor heating and cooling cycles accordingly. And, because they're connected to your home Wi-Fi network, you can monitor, program, and control smart thermostats using your smartphone.

After testing a dozen models, the best smart thermostat is the5th-generationEcobee($249) for one main reason: It comes with a wireless sensor you can place in a remote room in your housesuch as one that doesn't heat or cool as fastand lets you set the Ecobee to keep the system on until that room comes up to the temperature you want. Plus, the Ecobee has Alexa built in, so you can interact with Amazon's voice assistant without purchasing an Echo or an Echo Dot.

If you're looking for something less than $100, we recommend the Honeywell RTH6580WF 7-Day Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat. It's not as fancy as the Ecobee, but its still one of the best smart thermostats and works with many smart home systems.

See all of our top picks for the best smart thermostats below.

The best smart thermostat overall

Works With: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, Logitech, Wink, IFTTT | Remote Sensors: Yes | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: Yes | Works Offline: Yes

Better speaker

Full Alexa support

Improved remote sensors

Works with Spotify

Large

Big bezel

The best smart thermostat overall, the 5th-generation Ecobeelooks and acts much like theEcobee4, but with a few big improvements. It's among the best Alexa compatible devices because it offers all of Alexa's features, including calling, messaging, and Drop-In. The new Ecobee also has a much better speaker and Spotify support, so it's now good for playing tunes if you're looking for a device to provide some background music. Most importantly, the new Ecobee has redesigned remote sensors that have much better range and battery life.

Read our full Ecobee (5th gen) smart thermostat review.

Nest's thermostat is a cinch to set up.

Works With: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Logitech, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, WeMo, Wink, Xfinity | Remote Sensors: No | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: Yes | Works Offline: Yes

Large display

Works with multiple smart home systems

Intuitive Interface

Easy to install

Can't monitor temperature in multiple rooms

Doesn't work with Apple HomeKit

The third version of this Google-owned thermostat has a larger and sharper display than its predecessor. Like before, the Nest Learning Thermostat can talk to hundreds of other smart home devicesfrom the Logitech Harmony remote to the Amazon Echo to the Nest Camso it can automatically change the temperature when someone comes home, or if youre about to watch a movie. While it has a retro-style circular design, its brushed stainless steel finish and turning mechanism all feel premium. This thermostat combines the best of the past with the future, and is one of the best smart thermostats that's Google Home compatible.

Read our full Nest Learning Thermostat review.

Our favorite cheap smart thermostat

Works With: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, | Remote Sensors: No | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: No | Works Offline: Yes

Inexpensive

Works with a lot of smart home devices

Basic design

This is the best smart thermostat for those on a budget. The Honeywell RTH6580WF Wi-Fi Thermostat offers much of the same functionality as the Nest and Ecobee, but for less than half the price. While it looks like a run-of-the-mill thermostat on the outside, a Wi-Fi link lets you control this thermostat from your smartphone, just like the more expensive models. Plus, it can link to other smart home gadgets, such as smart locks, and can be controlled via voice. In all, it's a great bargain.

Read our full Honeywell RTH6580WF smart thermostat review.

A simple smart thermostat that lets you use remote sensors

Works With: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Logitech, Wink, IFTTT | Remote Sensors: Yes | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: Yes | Works Offline: Yes

Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit

Attractive interface

Easy installation

works with remote sensors

Lacks geofencing

The Ecobee3 Lite is the best smart thermostat for those with less-involved heating and cooling systems. Still, it has many of the same functions as the Ecobee 5th gen, including a color touchscreen, intuitive interface and deep smart home integration. Ecobee also updated the Lite model to work with remote sensors (as with the full-price Ecobee4), so you can set it to keep the heat on until a room in a far corner of your house reaches a certain temperature.

Read our full Ecobee3 Lite smart thermostat review.

An inexpensive way to make your window AC units smart

Works With: Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT | Remote Sensors: No | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: No | Works Offline: No

Easy to set up

Has robust scheduling, geofencing

Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT

No controls or display on device

If you don't have central air conditioning, then it's a bit harder to regulate the temperatures in your home during the summer. The Sensibo Sky is the best smart thermostat for those with in-wall or window air conditioners that have IR remotes. It's inexpensive, can be controlled remotely, and lets you create schedules for when they should turn on and off. It even has geofencing, so it can turn your AC on as you get home. Now that's cool.

Read our full Sensibo Sky review.

A lower-priced Nest thermostat

Works With: Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT | Remote Sensors: Optional | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: No | Works Offline: Yes

Cheaper than original Nest

Simple installation

Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

Does not support two-stage heating/cooling

White display can be hard to read

The Nest Thermostat E ($169) is another excellent smart thermostat for less than $200. It's easier to set up than the pricier Nest Learning Thermostat, but still has many of the same features. However, it doesn't support as many HVAC systems, such as two-stage heating and cooling, and its all-white display can be hard to read from a distance.

Read our full Nest Thermostat E review.

A thermostat with useful remote sensors

Works With: Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT | Remote Sensors: Optional | Self-Installation: Yes | Motion Activation: No | Works Offline: Yes

Responsive sensors

Easy to set up

Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

App could be more intuitive

No Apple HomeKit integration at launch

The Honeywell T9 incorporates what we think is one of the best features for smart thermostats: Remote sensors that can measure the temperature and see if there's a person present, so that the thermostat can better adjust your HVAC system to make sure all rooms are comfortable.However, the Honeywell app could be easier to use, and this smart thermostat doesn't support Apple HomeKit.

Read our full Honeywell T9 smart thermostat review.

We install each thermostat in a home or apartment and live with it for at least one week, to see how it handles different conditions. This includes not just changing the temperature, but also evaluating its accompanying app and web portal, if available. If the thermostat works with other smart home devices or Web-connected services (such as Alexa), we test that functionality as well.

For the most part, installing a thermostat, smart or not, is a fairly easy process, usually involving nothing more than a screwdriver and about half an hour of your time. Here's our video guide for installing a Nest thermostat, however, the procedure is similar for almost any thermostat.

Link:
Best smart thermostats 2020 - Reviews, ratings and comparisons - Tom's Guide

A request for information (RFI) has always sounded like a rather timid affair. Government departments regularly issue RFIs to the private sector, nongovernmental organisations and the public. Its a request. Not a demand or a statutory requirement. These requests generally result in a flurry of activity, and a plethora of responses.

Take the recent RFI briefing session held at the Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office of the department of mineral resources and energy on emergency electricity procurement to alleviate the current Eskom crisis. It soon became apparent that the organisers had completely misjudged private and public interest. Staff members were frantically wheeling in chairs to accommodate the throng of respondents. If only Eskom was as quick to accommodate wheeling electricity to the grid as the band of chair-people.

Wouldnt it be refreshing if the public sector, and state-owned entities such as Eskom were as keen to respond to requests for information. It would save a whole lot of time on issuing Promotion of Access to Information Act requests to get data that would allow for a far more informed response to their RFIs. Data that is routinely posted in real time on utility dashboards in countries all over the world.

To the matter at hand: providing information to the mineral resources and energy department.

Best scientific information tells us that by 2050, we had better have fully decarbonised our energy economy. It also tells us that we had better achieve at least 80% of this decarbonisation by 2030. Ten years for the easy parts of the fossil fuel economy, and 20 years for the more stubborn remaining 20%, embedded in things such as long distance air travel.

If this appears daunting, seems impossible or is deemed highly improbable, then savour the following information, a full-on mind-blowing sweetener. If we trundle along in business as usual mode, then the world is set to spend $18-trillion a year on energy in 2050. If we electrify our entire energy economy, this drops to just less than $8-trillion. How is this possible? It turns out to be all about thermodynamics and transfer inefficiencies of one energy form to another.

Burning coal to make electricity is about 33% efficient, meaning that 100 units of energy locked away in coal produce about 33 units of electrical energy. Two-thirds is wasted away as heat, as well as energy to propel small particulate matter into the atmosphere, to wreak their nasty breed of respiratory havoc on those within the range of the pollution plume.

Take the modern internal combustion engine motor vehicle. One would think theyre efficient. If you drive frugally, not too hard on the peddles, you may exceed 20% efficiency in a petrol-driven vehicle, and up to 30% in a diesel-propelled vehicle. The balance is pretty much all waste heat and hot air.

The third big pillar of energy usage industrial processes such as smelting and large scale heating and cooling are in fact more efficient. If you burn coal, oil or gas to heat something, then you make use of the energy directly as heat, and you dont have to go through the transformation to either electricity or kinetic energy in the form of propulsion, as in a car.

So, if we transition to 100% electric, we spend $8-trillion a year instead of $18-trillion a year. Great sweetener.

Mark Jacobson and his team at Stanford University, use the term 100% water, wind and solar (WWS) to signify this transition. All electricity is produced from either wind, solar or water (hydro, geothermal, wave, tidal, electrolysis and hydrogen production). So we have two 2050 end members: business as usual or water, wind and solar (WWS).

Some additional information in response to the RFI. If we stick with business as usual, the estimated global health costs predicted by the World Health Organisation are $30-trillion a year by 2050. Translated into human lives, thats about seven million deaths caused by poor air quality from the combustion of fossil fuels.

As regards climate change marginal costs, conservative estimates for business as usual energy are $29-trillion more than water, wind and solar energy. In other words, the business as usual 2050 total global energy cost is just shy $80-trillion, or 10 times the cost of a switch to 100% WWS.

Jacobson and his team are not thumb-sucking this information. They have modelled WWS energy transition plans for 143 countries, responsible for about 97% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Their global figures are the sum of the detailed country by country models. These models factor in local demand profiles, estimated demand growth, estimated population growth and so forth. Their simulations have been set to accept zero non-delivery of electricity. In South Africa, that translates to zero load-shedding. Nada.

They have a plan for South Africa. But then so does a research group, in Finland of all places. Not much to do during those long winter nights in Finland, they sit in small huddled groups. Someone chips in: Why dont we model the South African energy system and dream about sunshine? They all nod, and get to work. Their model differs in detail, but is uncannily similar to Jacobsons model. Lets drink to that.

There is a cry from the backbenchers: What about the workers? Globally, there will be 27-million more permanent, direct jobs created than lost. In South Africa, the figure is about 250000. And that is before you factor in jobs associated with the decommissioning and rehabilitation of coal-fired plants and coal mines. It also takes no cognisance of potential new jobs in, say, the agricultural sector using significant water resources that will be freed up during decommissioning.

Here comes the punchline. If South Africa picks the water, wind and solar route, and transitions to 100% WWS by 2050 (and 80% by 2030), then we need to produce at least four times as much electricity by 2050 as we currently do. Compare this to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 demand estimates and see how wrong they are.

By 2050 we will need just shy of 1000 terawatt hours (TWh) a year. The IRP 2019 projects a demand of between 360 and 420 TWh, about 40% of the WWS estimate.

A transition to WWS will save us 90% of our energy costs, inclusive of those often ignored externalities. The IRP 2019 focuses on electricity demand in a business as usual case. It takes little or no cognisance of a WWS transition. It is wrong. Why would we fight to have a dirty, harmful, business as usual energy system when we can have a clean energy system at a tenth of the cost? I wouldnt. Would you?

So, what do we need to construct between now and 2050 to effect the 100% WWS transition?

The exact mix of wind, water and solar, as well as the amount of accompanying energy storage, which includes green hydrogen storage, differs from model to model. Jacobson makes it clear that they present but one of a myriad of models for the transition plan for each country.

The differences in the models are a function of differing proportions of on-shore and off-shore wind, and the splits between residential, commercial and industrial, and utility-scale solar. These ratios are a function of future costs, as well as country specific regulatory and tariff structures. For instance, are flexible rooftop solar installations making up millions of micro-grids to feed surpluses into the distribution networks allowed by the regulators?

So the models are all dominated by wind and solar, and it is mainly the proportions that differ.

I had a crack at modelling a fit for purpose WWS energy mix for 2050 for South Africa. One of the constraints was zero shortages (aka load-shedding). The other key parameter was a least cost mix of storage-backed WWS. We require 240 gigawatts (GW) of solar, 150GW of wind and 90GW/360 gigawatt hours of storage. The average cost of the electricity in 2020 rand terms, before delivery through the transmission and distribution grids is of the order of R0.90 a kilowatt hour. This cost is based on current costs of solar, wind and storage.

For simplicity, if we divide these figures by 30, we need to install 8GW of solar, 5GW of wind and 3GW/12 gigawatt hours of storage a year, each year, forever. There will need to be a continuous rolling replacement build programme after 30 years of usage.

It just so happens that if we construct the new generation fleet at these annual recommended rates, we will be able to retire the entire coal fleet by 2030. It will not be a case of making space to undertake deep maintenance on an ailing coal fleet, in the hope of squeezing some extra TWh out of the older members of the fleet. It will be more a case of allowing between 3GW and 4GW of the coal fleet to be retired each year, and buried with a modicum of dignity.

This then is the recommended solution to the current energy crisis. It is not a panicked knee-jerk, ad hoc response to the state of the coal fleet. It is simply the first step of transitioning to 100% water, wind- and solar energy by 2050.

Clyde Mallinson is a geologist who currently focuses on the energy sector

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The path to a zero carbon future - Mail and Guardian

Vancouver International Airport will close the level one road access to the domestic terminal for construction starting next week.

According to a media statement, road access will be closed for approximately six months to install district energy piping as part of YVRs new Parkade and Central Utilities Building (CUB) projectstarting Jan. 14.

The project includes a geoexchange system a heating and cooling system that uses the earths energy found below the surface which will be implemented into the airports structures.

Courtesy shuttles, TransLink buses and pre-arranged commercial pick-ups will be affected during this time: Courtesy shuttle pick-ups and drop offs have been moved to departures level three. There are signs inside the terminal to direct travelers to appropriate shuttles. The N10 TransLink bus stop has been relocated outside the domestic departures check-in on level three. And, all pre-arranged commercial pick-ups will be on level two at international arrivals starting Jan. 14.

Pedestrian access to the parkade from the domestic terminal building is still open through designated walking routes.

According to Zoe Weber, YVRs communication specialist, the geosystem at YVR will be one of the largest in Canada when its completed and will help meet growing passenger demands while reducing its environmental footprint by supporting YVRs heating and cooling needs across the terminal complex.

It is our goal to work efficiently in order to complete the construction in the shortest time frame possible and with minimal impact on passengers and visitors to the airport.

The new utilities building, about 67,000 square feet in size, is expected to be built by 2021 and fully operational by 2022.

For more information on transportation to and from Vancouver's airport, visit YVR.ca.

-With files from Maria Rantanen

Read more from the Richmond News

See the original post here:
YVR construction will close ground level road access starting next week - Vancouver Is Awesome

Immediately after the Nest Learning Thermostat, the creation of a pair of former Apple engineers, debuted eight years ago, I wanted one. I was intrigued by the prospect of having a thermostat that learned the comings and goings of a household to build a heating and cooling schedule.

But early Nests were expensive and had issues with some heating and cooling systems (they still do). I may love tech, but I was, frankly, a little intimidated by the notion of installing one. And until recently, I was not living in a home where I could do that.

But when Black Friday 2019 rolled around, the stars aligned and the price dropped so I made the leap. It helped that both my wife and I loathed the programmable thermostat that came with the condo we bought in 2018. We were motivated.

GET SMART: Think simple when first adding smart devices to your home

I installed the Nest and have been living with it for more than a week now. Here are some early thoughts:

I was worried that Id screw up some aspect of the installation and create problems with my AC system which, when you live in Houston, is a critical part of ones residential infrastructure. But the process was fairly straightforward. The Nest smartphone app walks you through it, and the Nest comes with labels that let you designate which wires go where before you disconnect your old thermostats mount. Theres also a compatibility checker on the Nest website.

The only hitch involved the junction box where the thermostat wires terminated in the wall. It was taller than the holes for the Nests mounting plate, so I had to get creative with attaching it to the wall. But overall, the process was smooth, and my AC system is running like a champ.

I really love the ability to control the Nest in different ways. Yes, you can use the smartphone app, but you can also link it to an Amazon Echo or a Google Home smart speaker. Being able to say Alexa, set the thermostat to 74 is a pleasure.

The Nest does indeed learn your patterns, and after a few days, it begins to do automatically what you have been doing manually. We like it very cold when we sleep; I then turn the AC back up to sensible levels when we awake. Within a few days, the Nest was automatically making these changes. There are separate schedules for heating and cooling, which is handy in Houstons frequently bipolar weather.

HOW TO: Shop for internet service in Houston

As youd expect, there are some annoyances. Theres no way to set the temperature manually and then hold it, whats known on other thermostats as a temporary hold. The next time a scheduled change comes up, it overrides the manual setting. You can, however, delete the upcoming scheduled item - but if you want the hold to last a while, you have to delete ALL the upcoming items until you want the hold to end. Another workaround involves changing several settings - either way, these are kludges for a simple feature that should be built into the Nest.

If you want to have more than one person in the family control the Nest from a smartphone, you have to download and install a second app. Google bought Nest a few years ago, and now you must use the Google Home app to add a family member. If youve already got Google smartphone devices, you probably already have this app. If not, having to snag a second piece of software just for that seems unnecessary.

One of the Nests benefits is that it supposedly can save money on your energy bill. Its too early to say if thats happening, but the Eco feature that auto-sets the unit not to run when it senses you are away seems to be working. Well see what our electric bill looks like when Houstons brutal summer temperatures roll around. Ill report back at midyear.

Meanwhile, if you have questions about the Nest Learning Thermostat, please ask them.

This story originally appeared in Dwight Silvermans Release Notes newsletter. Sign up at https://houstonchronicle.com/releasenotes.

dwight.silverman@chron.com

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Lessons learned from installing a Nest Learning Thermostat - Houston Chronicle

Sherrie Burns received an unusual Christmas present this year a brand-new heating and air conditioning system.

The Ada woman won the unit from Hunter Super Techs, an Ardmore-based company that gives away new HVAC units through its Gift of Heat program each year around Christmas time. Burns granddaughter nominated her for the program, and Burns learned that she was one of the winners when Hunters operations manager, Joseph Hobson, contacted her on Dec. 16.

Burns, whose home has had the same heating and cooling unit since 1989, said she was thrilled about getting a new one for Christmas.

Im still overwhelmed, but Im really happy to get it, she said Friday, while Hobsons crew was installing the new unit.

Its a team thing

Hunter Super Techs owner Chris Hunter launched the Gift of Heat program in Ardmore, where the companys main office is located, about six years ago. The company has given away a new HVAC system, provided by Goodman Manufacturing and valued at somewhere between $5,000 and $6,000, each year since then.

The company, which also has locations in Ada and Durant, gave away three units this year. One unit was for Burns, another was given to an Ardmore resident and the third went to someone in Durant.

Hobson said the company appreciated Goodman Manufacturings assistance with the program.

Were very, very blessed to have Goodman give us three systems for each of our locations to provide heat for the families and some very deserving people, he said.

Heres how the program works: People can nominate their friends, neighbors or relatives who would benefit from a new heating and cooling system by filling out a form on Hunter Super Techs website, www.https://huntersupertechs.com/. The completed form must include the nominees name, address and a short story about why he or she deserves a new system.

Hunter staffers review the entries and select one person to get a new unit. But this year, the company decided to give away three units instead of just one.

Hobson said that Hunter Super Techs installs the units free of charge and obtains the appropriate permits from the city of Ada. He added that many Hunter employees volunteer to help install the units each year.

Its a team thing, he said. Its great.

Nomination

Burns granddaughter, Jamie Vasquez of Tacoma, Washington, saw an ad for the program on Hunters website and nominated her grandmother, Hobson said. He showed a screen shot of the nomination form to an Ada News reporter.

Sherrie is my nana, Vasquez wrote on the nomination form. Shes 86 years old, a breast cancer survivor and sole caretaker of my 63-year-old aunt, who had a devastating stroke 15 years ago.

They live on a fixed income every year. Twice a year for the last five or so, my nana has to call someone to fix the heating and air unit, resulting in her robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Vasquez wrote that her grandmother had not replaced the old unit because of the cost, and she relied on her fireplace to heat the house in the winter and floor fans during the summer as a way of reducing stress on the old unit.

Burns said Friday that she spent the past couple of years worrying that the old unit would break down some day. She said she wont have that problem anymore, thanks to the Gift of Heat program.

Its a great thing, Burns said.

Read the original:
'Gift of Heat' | Local News - Theadanews

Sudbury Pines Extended Care is ending the year with a more than 25% reduction in energy use following a partnership with Eversource.

The family-owned small business is now a more efficient year-round environment for guests, families and employees all while reducing its environmental impact and saving $18,000 in yearly energy costs.

Sudbury Pines operates around-the-clock and must provide a safe, healthy environment which made it the perfect candidate for energy-efficient upgrades, said Eversource Vice President of Energy Efficiency Tilak Subrahmanian. Our team shared energy expertise and helped identify several projects and programs that would effectively reduce their impact on the environment and save them money. Together, we are able to have a positive effect and look forward to delivering solutions that will benefit the family-owned business today and into the future.

The energy efficiency work includes a comprehensive lighting upgrade including ceiling sensors and photocells, the installation of low-flow faucets and aerators and refrigeration upgrades. Eversource also helped Sudbury Pines install Wi-Fi thermostats, which in addition to providing energy savings and convenience, allows Sudbury Pines to participate in the Eversource ConnectedSolutions Demand Response, a program that offers participants incentives for allowing the energy company to adjust their WiFi thermostats during peak energy periods.

Working with Eversource and our partners and tapping their expertise, along with cash flow and finances, were the key factors we considered when driving these projects forward, said Sudbury Pines Extended Care Business Operation Manager Kevin Osborne. The untold story is that an equal amount of vision with leadership, incentive research, design consideration and implementation is required to bring it to fruition. Sustainability does work for us, its about better patient outcomes, quality facility conditions, and mitigating our environmental impact.

Sudbury Pines Extended Care plans to invest its energy savings into additional energy efficiency projects, including insulation, heat recovery ventilation systems and new heating and cooling systems. There is also high consideration of installing rooftop solar, having been accepted into Eversources SMART program, which is expected to cover more than 60% of the buildings current energy demand.

Sudbury Pines took advantage of Eversources Small Business Energy Solutions which included a free facility audit by AECOM, a qualified energy contractor, and a proposal detailing recommended energy improvements. Eversource reviewed the proposal to ensure that the project was cost-effective and paid up to 90 percent of project costs for installation of approved energy-efficient measures such as LED lighting and building controls. Eversource also inspects completed projects to verify equipment is correctly installed and working and confirms the job is completed to customer satisfaction.

For more information on Eversources Small Business Energy Solutions, visit Eversource.com.

See more here:
Sudbury Pines Extended Care ending year with over 25% reduction in energy use - Wicked Local Sudbury

Looking for the best smart thermostats for Alexa? You have come to the right place

If you have an Amazon Alexa device, then you might be interested in buying a compatible smart thermostat so you can control the temperature of your home remotely. Here is an overview of the best smart thermostats with Amazon Alexa.

The Nest Learning T3008US is the third-generation learning thermostat made by Nest, which was thinner and sleeker than its predecessors. It lights up when you start walking up to the device. And the T3008US shows you the time and temperature from across the room.

For those of you who are handy, it takes about half an hour to install. And Nest devices are known for helping its users cut down on their bills by over $100 per year.

The T3021US is a smart thermostat that learns the temperatures you like and can turn itself down while you are away. And the T3021US has a large and sharp display.

Some of the best features built into the T3021US include auto-scheduling, Wi-Fi compatibility (change the temperature from your phone, tablet or laptop), Energy Saving (Nest Leaf appears when you choose a temperature that saves energy), Smart Thermostat (learns how to keep the house warm despite changes in the weather), and Home/Away Assist (automatically turns temperature down while you are away to avoid heating or cooling an empty home).

For those of you who are handy, it takes about half an hour to install. And Nest devices are known for helping its users cut down on their bills by over $100 per year.

The ecobee4 is able to listen to voice commands and respond with Alexa built-in. You can have the ecobee4 set a timer, read the news, adjust the temperature, etc. Plus it works with other Alexa Devices by supporting ESP so that only the device that is closest to you responds to commands.

And the ecobee4 comes with a room sensor that helps manage hot or cold spots in the home thus delivering comfort in the rooms that matter.

The ecobee4 is able to sense occupancy and automatically enable the right mode energy savings when it senses no one is home.

It takes about 30 minutes to install the ecobee4 using the installation guide and an in-app step-by-step walkthrough.

The Honeywell Home T9 features a Monthly Energy Report that shows you how much energy was used. And you can save even more with a schedule that adapts to your lifestyle and by connecting with your utility efficiency program. You can also adjust your thermostat from anywhere with your mobile device or let your home automatically react to your schedule with geofencing. Plus you can add smart room sensors to focus the temperature on multiple rooms for comfort where it matters.

And the T9 also intelligently learns your homes heating and cooling patterns in order to deliver the right temperature at the right time. Then it sends you filter and temperature alerts.

When you connect your Honeywell Home account with your utility, you can earn rewards each season for your energy efficiency.

The Bosch BCC100 easily controls your home temperature with your voice as you communicate with the Amazon Alexa smart device. And the full-color 5-inch display thermostat touchscreen automatically turns on and off while you are away from home.

Plus the Bosch BCC100 features both comfort setting and intuitive scheduling to make it easy for you to choose a temperature for different times of the day without having to worry about the home getting too hot or too cold. And you can access the main screen and set up the thermostat from any smartphone or tablet.

Its worth mentioning that a C-wire (common wire) is required to power the unit. Two-wire systems are not supported.

The Honeywell TH9320WF5003 supports remote access to the thermostat through a computer, tablet or smartphone with Honeywells Total Connect Comfort Service. And apps are available for tablet and smartphones.

Some of the other specifications includeEnergy Savings mode, 7-day easy programming,custom display with on-screen comfort information, and a five-year limited warranty.

The Emerson Sensi Touch ST75 lets you remotely access, change or program your home temperatures anytime any anywhere. It was designed to work with HVAC equipment in most homes in the U.S. and Canada. And the Sensi mobile app guides you through each step of the DIY installation process. Plus a common wire (c-wire) is required.

After the Sensi thermostat is running, you can let your location automatically adjust your temperature settings with geofencing or use the intuitive controls to create a custom schedule in order to save about 23% on your HVAC energy usage. You can set, lower or raise your home temperature with simple voice commands using Alexa or control the Sensi thermostat using Siri on your iPhone or iPad.

Plus you can get utility rebates in your area through the rebate finder.

The Nest Thermostat E has a simple design with a new frosted display that blends into the background. You can use the Nest app to change the temperature remotely.

Plus there is a Home/Away Assist that turns itself down after you leave so you do not have to waste energy heating or cooling an empty home. The Energy History feature shows you how much energy you use and why.

The Emerson Sensi ST55 makes it easy to remotely control and schedule your temperature. And the Emerson Sensi thermostat does not require a common wire (c-wire) for most installations so it is compatible with the HVAC equipment in many homes in the U.S. & Canada. The c-wire is required for heat-only, cool-only, heat pump (without aux) systems, and for use with Apple HomeKit.

With the Emerson Sensi ST55, you can use location-based temperature control with geofencing or create a custom heating and cooling schedules with the flexible 7-day scheduling option with the ENERGY STAR certified Sensi thermostat. Plus with the energy-saving features, you save about 23% on your HVAC energy usage so you can save money without compromising your comfort.

The Sensi integrates directly with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Wink home automation platforms. And you can connect to Amazon Alexa to control your home temperature with simple voice commands or just ask Siri to set, raise or lower your home temperature while using Sensi with Apple HomeKit.

Plus the Sensi also features smart alerts to help detect extreme temperature and humidity levels in your home.

The Vine Smart TJ-919 has a sleek and modern design that show clear images. And the Vine Smart TJ-919 features ultra-flexible 7-Day and 8-period settings. And it is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Plus you can control it from your phone, tablet or laptop with smart Vine App.

The Bosch Connected Control BCC50 thermostat is compatible with most 24VAC heating and cooling equipment to help you save energy and money. And you can easily control your homes temperature from the interface using the 5 back-lit touch buttons. Plus you can control the Bosch Connected Control smartphone app or your voice with the Bosch Connected Control Alexa Smart Home Skill and your Alexa-enabled smart devices.

And the Bosch Connected Control BCC50 Thermostat blends into any room by automatically turning off the backlit touch buttons when it is not in use and displays only the essential temperature information on the screen.

Plus the Bosch Connected Control app allows you to remotely control all of your thermostats settings. And it also allows you to adjust your schedule while on-the-go or set it to vacation mode to save energy while youre away.

There are filter reminders so you can get alerts when it is time to replace the system air filter. And it is programmable with up to 4 preset or user-defined schedules to help you save energy and money.

Note: it is compatible with majority of HVAC systems (C-WIRE REQUIRED)

The Honeywell Home RTH6580WF features7-day programming with 4 program periods per day which can be configured to meet nearly any scheduling scenario. And the Honeywell Home RTH6580WF Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat allows remote access through a smartphone or computer.

You can view the local weather from the web portal or app (Wink App Ready and the Wink Hub is not required).

Inside of the box is the thermostat, a wall plate (attached to thermostat), screws and anchors, a Quick Start Guide, a thermostat ID Card, wire labels, a User Guide, a Quick Reference Card, and G Wire Jumper Cable.

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12 Of The Best Smart Thermostats For Alexa - Pulse 2.0

As I do every December, I was writing about this years mergers, acquisitions, IPOs and other equity events in the home-technology channel you know, just a quick paragraph on each (coming soon). When I got to Resideo, though, the little blurb I intended to write turned out to be more like a novel.

So here it is in a longer form, starting with the conclusion:Resideo could have the first viable business for comprehensive remotemonitoring and home services basically doing for all home systems what itsdone for security. Who could have fathomed this proposition even a year ago?

We envision a future where our homeanticipates problems, takes appropriate action and connects to a qualifiedprofessional to correct the issue, said Alice DeBiasio, Resideo VP and GM ofGlobal Pros Security, in an August 2019 interviewwith the Electronic Security Association.

Resideo (REZI) is the security, home automation, HVAC and building-controls group that spun off from Honeywell in late 2018, forming a new $5 billion (revenues) public company. Free at last from its $40 billion parent company, Resideo quickly acquired three niche businesses that Honeywell probably wouldnt make time to sneeze at, much less acquire in rapid succession.

The three acquisitions were LifeWhere,WhiskerLabs (one division) and BuoyLabs three relative startups with technology to monitor and react to variousconditions in the home. LifeWhere measures the performance of home appliancesand warns of potential breakdowns. The unit acquired from Whisker Labs learnsthe heating and cooling patterns of a home, mashes it up with outdoor weatherdata, and auto-adjusts the indoor temperature for energy management andcomfort. Buoy Labs tracks the flow of water in a home, issuing alerts and/orcutting off the water supply if anomalies are detected.

Traditional providers of insurance, home warranties, energy, security, and smart-home services will be playing catch-up.

Each solution comes with a recurring fee, which is easilyjustified: Just imagine the expense and heartbreak of doing without theprotection! Non-subscribers could face mold and flooding (from slow and fastwater leaks, respectively), inefficient heating and cooling, and the prematuredemise of unchecked appliances.

In theory, Resideo could prevent all these calamities or atleast mitigate damages, just as the company does today for other threats to peopleand property fire, gas leaks, water leaks, break-ins, vandalism, personalemergencies, and more.

Resideo could wrap the new protections in a bundle that includes existing security and home-automation services. Ultimately, the company could own the home-monitoring and -services category like no one else can, at least not anytime soon. Traditional providers of insurance, home warranties, energy, security, and smart-home services will be playing catch-up. Theyre not even close.

Unlike other would-be home-protection companies, Resideo already has the infrastructure to monitor consumers, their homes, and their things and to respond accordingly:

Looking at the capabilities and strengths above,we can imagine Resideo incorporating LifeWhere, Whisker and Buoy pretty quicklyinto their technological platforms and business models at least much moreeasily than perhaps any other operator.

As for #6 above: We believe there areadded monitoring opportunities for our dealers who are interested in theseadded elements of home protection, beyond just break-ins or fires, said AliceDeBiasio, Resideo VP and GM of Global Pros Security, in an August 2019 interviewwith the Electronic Security Association.

She adds, [A]ll these acquisitions are going to position Resideo and our thousands of professionals as the experts in home protection.

Resideo is in the process of revamping its user app, as well as its dealer portal, to incorporate all the new devices and conditions the company can monitor.

For now, the new Resideo Home app exposes the Buoy Whole Home Water Controller and Buoy Water Leak Detectors. From there, users can access Buoys free features, or upgrade to premium services like advanced automatic water shutoff and leak alerts, Resideo explains.

We should expect the same fremium model to apply to other Resideo offerings all of which eventually will be part of the new app. The company doesnt expect to add its legacy security capability to the app until the end of 2020.

Resideo introduced the new app at a Dec. 4, 2019, event in its home town of Austin, Texas, explaining how it will make whole-home monitoring possible for the four critical networks of the home water, air, energy and security.

Resideo CEO Mike Nefkens said, We do not believe that the critical systems of the home should be a do-it-yourself adventure. Through the new Resideo Home app, were going to bring the world of proactive, professional monitoring to the entire home, helping better protect the people inside and mitigating problems before they arise.

The proactive element is the new thing for Resideo. Its current security and home-automation systems are pretty smart today, but dont provide much in the way of AI and predictive analytics. Resideo service providers tend to react to emergencies after the fact, rather than anticipate them through smart devices on the premises and analytics in the cloud.

All three recent acquisitions Whisker, Buoy and LifeWhere bring predictive analytics to the Resideo ecosystem, exposing some amount of information for self-monitoring and reserving some of the smarts for fee-based services.

Resideo also (re)introduced an indoor air quality monitor to its smart ecosystem that will pair with the app to let homeowners and their home pros see real-time carbon dioxide levels, particles, chemicals and humidity to understand the air inside and do something about it.

Meanwhile, Resideo is working on its next-generation smart thermostat that will integrate with the Resideo Home app, and serve as a dashboard for all the new and legacy things Resideo monitors.

For several years, the insurance companies have been eyeing IoT as a way to glean more data from the home and its occupants, and provide more services to the insured. Theyre struggling.

The Holy Grail would be something like a Triple-A for the home, much like we have for cars. Everyone has AAA, because its silly not to. The auto insurance costs just $100 or $200 per year, and theyre everywhere and anywhere in case of an emergency or inconvenience. Towing, changing a tire, jumping a car, adding gas these and similar services are free. If you need anything more, you pay extra.

Its relatively simple to apply this kind of service to automobiles because independent car-towing trucks and mechanics are everywhere the original Ubers of our times.

The home is harder because there are so many specialized systems to master; however, with a growing roster of smart devices to monitor these systems, a cloud service to make sense of the data, apps and dashboards for self- and pro-monitoring, and thousands of feet on the street for service and support (about 110,000), Resideo just might be able to pull it off.

How much would you pay for AAA in the home? Put me down for about $400 per year.

PRESS RELEASE DEC. 4, 2019

AUSTIN, Texas,Dec. 4, 2019 Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: REZI), today announcedthe launch of the Resideo Home app, which will make whole-home monitoringpossible for the four critical networks of the home water, air, energy andsecurity. At an event for industry professionals and partners at the historicAustin City Limits Live at the Moody Theatre in Austin, the company showcasedits vision for the future of the smart home and upcoming subscription servicesmade possible by the new app. Through these services, homeowners will easilyconnect with professionals who can help ensure home networks are operatingefficiently and can intervene to help prevent costly damages, like water leaksand major appliance failures.

At Resideo,were committed to helping homeowners make sense of their homes, and in theprocess, help professionals modernize and expand their businesses while givinga better experience to customers, said Mike Nefkens, president and CEO ofResideo. We do not believe that the critical systems of the home should be ado-it-yourself adventure. Through the new Resideo Home app, were going tobring the world of proactive, professional monitoring to the entire home,helping better protect the people inside and mitigating problems before theyarise.

Resideo Homeand Resideo Pro Apps

Designed toprovide homeowners with a simple, unified platform that connects and managesthe home, Resideo will enable the migration of the companys 6.5 million connected customers,currently spread out among its existing apps, into the Resideo Home app throughout2020. Starting today, users of Resideos recently launched BuoyWhole Home Water Controllerand BuoyWater Leak Detectors can begin using the new app and access its free features,or upgrade to premium services like advanced automatic water shutoff and leakalerts. In the coming months, Resideo will integrate air products, such as theT Series line of smart thermostats, into the app. By the end of 2020, the appwill support Resideo whole-home security systems as well.

Unlike other smart-home apps that merely control gadgets, theResideo Home app looks at the entire home by offeringa glimpse into howthe air, water, security and energy systems are performing. The bright andvisually rich user experienceoffers insights through analytics that willhelp the homeowner identify energy savings, water usage and other tips overtime.

A professionalversion of the app, Resideo Pro, will provide professionals with installationtools, help them better service customers through account management andservice calls, and provide access to new business opportunities.

The ResideoHome and Resideo Pro apps are available now in the iOS and Androidapp stores.

NewWhole-Home Services

Resideo alsounveiled its new portfolio of connected, whole-home monitoring solutions thatwill be accessible through the app. Approximately 25% of homes in the UnitedStates have professionally monitored security. In a first for the industry, thenew subscription services from Resideo extend professional monitoring to theother critical networks of the home. Resideos new subscription services will helppros and homeowners use the data already being produced by the critical systemsof the home in ways that make the home work better and more efficiently.

Were givingthe entire home a pulse to help both homeowners and the trade professionalssave time and resources, said Niccolo de Masi, chief innovation officer andpresident of Products & Solutions, Resideo. For most people, their home istheir largest financial investment where they live with their loved ones andkeep their most precious possessions. We are proud to bring this much-neededenhanced protection to the home.

New Toolsand Services for Professionals

Resideo also announced a new digital experience that can help its network of 110,000 trade professionals and their 1 million technicians build business for the future, simplify operations and strengthen relationships with homeowners. The Resideo Pro Portal offers a single destination for product information, product support, access to services and tools to promote and drive leads. A new training and loyalty program called Resideo Pro PERKS launches in January 2020.

Through the ProPERKS program, pros and distributors will be able to access a tiered system ofbenefits, including strategic partnerships with other pros in Resideos networkto take advantage of new business opportunities across the homes criticalnetworks, new marketing tools to sell smart home solutions, and new videocourses to become experts on the latest technologies.

Resideosvalue proposition is firmly grounded in the belief that DIY companies aresimply not equipped to address the installation and integration challenges dueto the vast number of smart-home devices on the market, as well as lacking theknow-how that local contractors have, said Mark Vena, senior smart homeanalyst, Moor Insights & Strategy. In addition, to manage critical systemsin the home like air conditioning, heating, water management and energyutilization, advanced technical training and professional-grade equipment isrequired two things the average consumer or the DIY companies dont possess.

NextGeneration Comfort Platform

Resideo also unveiled concepts for its next-generation smart thermostat it will develop in partnership with professional contractors. Much more than a thermostat, the device will fully integrate with the Resideo Home app, providing insight into the four critical networks and access to subscription services through on-the-wall control with a modern user interface.

The company plans to launch alpha and beta test programs with professionals in 2020.

We have anenormous advantage to deliver whole-home monitoring because of our presence in150 million homes and decades of experience, Nefkens said. Our professionalnetwork of suppliers, dealers, contractors and installers ensures the job isdone right, that dedicated support is always within reach, and will lay thegroundwork to bring the next era of the connected home to life.

AboutResideo

Resideo is a leading global provider of critical comfort and security solutions primarily in residential environments and distributor of low-voltage electronic and security products. Building on a 130-year heritage, Resideo has a presence in more than 150 million homes, with 15 million systems installed in homes each year. We continue to serve more than 110,000 contractors through leading distributors, including our ADI Global Distribution business, which exports to more than 100 countries from more than 200 stocking locations around the world. Resideo is a $4.8 billion company with approximately 13,000 global employees.

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With Smart Devices and Pro Network, Resideo Could be AAA for the Home - CEPRO - CEPro

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Ecobee smart thermostats now start at $ 149 - BGR - themediatimes

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Wondering what buildings are coming down or going up in Albuquerque? Local building permit data can shine a light on what's under construction near you.

In the past week, the city issued 275 building permits, according to data from BuildZoom, a platform that helps homeowners and businesses with new construction and remodels.

Of those permits, 13 were for new construction, one was for a demolition project and the remainder were for repairs and renovations.

Read on for a selection of the most noteworthy new permits.

Applicant A&S Plumbing Inc. was issued a permit for repair/renovation of a commercial structure at 1400 San Mateo Blvd. SE. The work is described as: "Installation of new fire line and water service."

Applicant B&D Industries Inc. received a permit for repair/renovation of a commercial structure at 2401 Aztec Road NE. The permit defines the work as: "Install (one) new three-phase 120 208 volt electrical panel with three branch circuits to battery plant."

Contractor CH Mechanical LLC was issued a permit for repair/renovation of a commercial structure at 5230 Fourth St. NW. The work scope is described as: "Bob's Burger renovation - new plumbing throughout."

Contractor Bsi Roofing LLC received a permit for repair/renovation of a commercial structure at 2024 Fifth St. NW. The work scope is described as: "Re-roof."

Contractor Air Pro Inc. was issued a permit for repair/renovation of a commercial structure at 1405 Martin Luther King Ave. NE. The work scope is described as: "Installation of a new water heater and a new furnace."

Applicant Solar Works Energy LLC received a permit for repair/renovation of a residential structure at 1648 Moon St. NE. The work is described as: "Installation of new solar array."

Contractor Solar Works Energy LLC received a permit for repair/renovation of a residential structure at 8517 Bellehaven Ave. NE. The work is described as: "Installation of new solar array."

Contractor Desert Suns Heating & Cooling was issued a permit for repair/renovation of a residential structure at 308 Sierra Place NE. The permit defines the work as: "Installation of a new roof."

This story was created automatically using local building data from BuildZoom, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing.

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A roundup of construction permits filed last week in Albuquerque - Yahoo News