Post Published on May 26, 2013.
Last Updated on April 29, 2016 by davemackey.

Introduction

In June of 2011, nearly two years ago, I wrote an article summarizing the state of IP (web-based) enabled thermostats. I revised this article in April of 2012, over a year ago. Now, it seems appropriate, to create a new post reflecting the state of IP enabled thermostats in 2013.

This article will include all information still relevant from the older article along with new information regarding developments from 2012 until now.

I welcome comments regarding this post including:

• Any IP based thermostats I may have missed.
• Your experiences with various IP based thermostats.

Without further ado…

The Selection

ecobee

• Offers 24% cost savings on heating and 21% on cooling as compared to leaving thermostat fixed on 72 degrees.¹Not that anyone with a programmable thermostat does that anymore.
• I was unable to find an RSS feed using Feedly to keep up with ecobee’s blog…That is a big no no!
• Offers solutions for home and business.
• Website is very nice, apps, etc. appear well-finished – but no noticeable distinguishable features at consumer level, though business units offer administrative flexibility beyond that found in home units.
• Prices appear to start around $200 and go up.
• Conclusion: Might be worth considering for larger building where administration controls are needed, otherwise, seems neck-and-neck with competition.

Radio Thermostat

• Two different models are available direct from Radio Thermostat – the CT80 ($250) and the CT30 ($140).
• Requires either a “C” or “Common” wire or an external power adapter.
• 3M used to rebrand/resell these under the Filtrete brand via Home Depot, but appears to have stopped doing so.
• They also lack an RSS feed (or even a real blog), the website design is outmoded, and the devices are not as slick as competitor options. That said, they do have online and public forums.

Proliphix

• Has a blog with RSS feed.
• One of the oldest IP thermostat manufacturers.
• Pricing is not available on the website.
• Used to have residential solutions, but there is no mention of them on the site anymore.

Bay Controls

• Site is pretty horrific.
• No blog.
• Installs in 30 minutes.
• No recurring costs.
• Has an iPhone client.
• Looks to have significant customizability but at cost of user friendliness, a geek’s friend, but perhaps not for the average consumer.
• Pricing starts at $220.

Network Thermostat (Net/X)

• Receives disappointing site award alongside Bay Controls.
• Offers web-based and PC based management software which looks nice and feature-filled.
• The web management console is a server built into the device, no cloud services.
• Pricing starts around $450.
• Offers special pricing for non-profits.

Intwine Energy

• Company website was slow, consumer facing site appears to be down.
• Most recent press release is from 2011.
• Wouldn’t recommend due to lack of activity on site, though devices look fine.

Nexia Home (Formerly Schlage LiNK)

• Appears to be rebranded via American Standard and Trane.
• Offers the advantage of also supporting cameras, lighting, locks, and sensors.
• Monthly fee of $9.
• Utilizes Z-Wave technology, not WiFi per say.
• Pricing starts at $150 for just the thermostat, but you’ll also need a bridge. A bundle is available for around $230.
• No blog.

Nest Thermostat

• Created by former Apple folks, has gotten a lot of the recent press and consumer love.
• Website and device appear beautiful.
• Has partnered with energy utilities to offer the device for free if you sign up for select providers (only available in some states).
• Has a blog, including RSS feed.
• Devices are available from Amazon as well as Lowes and Home Depot.
• Price is $250.
• This system does not require a C wire.

Enphase Energy

• Seems like Enphase is moving away from focusing on intelligent thermostats and focusing more on solar panels?
• Uses the ZigBee protocol and thus requires a bridge device.
• Website is slick and has a blog with RSS.
• Only sells via distributors, no pricing easily available.

Venstar

• Offers both residential and commercial solutions.
• Offers the Surveyor product which allows for HVAC, lighting/electrical, and mechnical systems monitoring.
• Claims (for Surveyor) “Go Green for No Green” (no cash up front, no capital expense, cash flow positive from day one). Didn’t see details on this program.

Energate

• Has a blog, but no RSS.
• Appears to work only through utilities.

EcoFactor

• No blog.
• Appears to work through utilities.

Trane

• Offers the ComfortLink and ComfortLink II – both of which are web enabled.
• The Nexia branded home thermostat starts at $150.
• Thermostats are full color (except Nexia).

LockState Connect

• Pricing starts at $170 for IP thermostat.
• Ongoing monthly costs of $.99 for basic services for first device or $1.98 for premium (this includes email/sms alerts). Additional devices are $.99/mo.
• Uses WiFi, not ZigBee or Z-Wave.
• Also supports cameras, locks, and power strips.
• No blog.
• Requires a “C” wire, but also supports a 24VAC transformer.

Honeywell

• Full color available from $250 from Home Depot, monochrome from $120 for button-based and $150 for touchscreen. Appears slightly better pricing is available via Amazon.
• All of these units require a “C” wire. If you have an older home/business you may not have this wire run to your thermostat. There are instructions on how to check on the website. It is quite unfortunate, there WiFi-less models have batteries that allow them to operate without the “C” wire, but these apparently don’t.

Hunter

• Used to offer the Hunter Universal WiFi Internet Thermostat for $100, but it has been discontinued.

Lennox

• Offers the icomfort Wi-Fi Touchscreen Thermostat.

Insteon

• Requires a hub ($130~).
• Pricing starts at $150 for thermostat.
• Also supports lights, dimmers, switches, cameras, security, sprinkler and so on.
• No blog.

Residential Control Systems (RCS) Technology

• Has Z-Wave, ZigBee, and native WiFI thermostats.
• Products are monochrome
• No blog.

Evolve Guest Controls

• Thermostats start at $150.
• Monochrome.
• Has a blog with RSS.

2GIG Technologies

• Uses Z-Wave.
• Pricing around $150.
• No blog.

Vaporware?

• Fidure Corp. – Site not updated since 2007.

Conclusions

I’d be hesitant to utilize anything that runs over Z-Wave, ZigBee, or Insteon. I think WiFi is the wave of the future – but that might just be me. What do you think?

The Nest, LockState Connect, and Honeywell options look the most attractive to me. I just signed up with a new energy utility and they are sending me a free Nest…so that is what I’ll be using at home.