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Smart thermostats can save energy, but they are not guaranteed money savers. ENERGY STAR estimates that certified smart thermostats save about 8% of heating and cooling bills, or roughly $50 a year on average. Your result can be higher or lower, and the average does not establish a personal payback period. If your main goal is lower bills, first check whether you can schedule temperature setbacks with the thermostat you already own.
What the savings figures actually mean
ENERGY STAR’s consumer-facing estimate is approximately 8% of heating and cooling bills, or $50 per year, for ENERGY STAR smart thermostats. That is a program-level average, not a promise for every home. The EPA cautions that national estimates cannot account for substantial differences in climate, HVAC equipment, and home characteristics. Household preferences and behavior also affect results. ENERGY STAR’s FAQ explains the average and its limitations.
Certification has a separate technical basis: ENERGY STAR evaluates field data collected over a year from customers’ homes and sets criteria for HVAC runtime reduction. The criteria distinguish heating from cooling and use both a weighted national average and a home-level measure:
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| Measure | Weighted national average threshold | Weighted home-level 20th-percentile threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Heating runtime reduction | At least 8% at the lower 95% confidence limit | At least 4% |
| Cooling runtime reduction | At least 10% at the lower 95% confidence limit | At least 5% |
These are runtime-reduction criteria, not bill-reduction percentages. Runtime, energy use, and cost are different measures: the connection depends on the equipment, fuel, utility rates, weather, and how people use the system. The thresholds are described in ENERGY STAR’s product criteria; they do not mean every certified thermostat—or every home—will produce an identical bill change.
#1 Best Overall
- ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Connectivity : Wi-Fi - 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz, 802.11a/n 5 GHz Wi-Fi., Wireless interconnect : Bluetooth Low Energy Please refer to the product description section below for all applicable legal disclaimers.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page
- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home. Lock feature: No
- Programmable thermostat that lets you create an energy efficient schedule in the Google Home app on your Android or iPhone
- Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
Can you get savings without buying one?
Often, yes. The basic energy-saving action is setting the temperature back when the home is empty or people are asleep; an internet-connected thermostat is one way to automate that, not the only way. The U.S. Department of Energy says setting the temperature back 7–10°F for at least eight hours a day can save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling costs. That figure applies to the setback action, not specifically to smart thermostats. DOE’s home-upgrade guidance provides the recommendation.
Check whether your current thermostat can follow a schedule that fits your routine. If it can, you may be able to try setbacks before spending on a smart model. A smart thermostat may make scheduling easier, adapt to occupancy, or let you change settings remotely, but those conveniences do not guarantee additional savings if your household already manages setbacks effectively.
Rank #2
- An Alexa thermostat - Amazon Smart Thermostat is an easy way to switch from a traditional thermostats for homes and help reduce energy usage.
- Create comfort zones throughout your home by connecting to select Alexa devices to automatically adjust heating and cooling based on temperature readings or presence detection.
- Save money and energy - After purchase, Amazon will send you an email with details about home thermostat rebates that may be available from energy providers in your area.
- Save energy - According to EPA estimates, ENERGY STAR certified thermostats save an average of $90 on yearly energy bills.
- Programmable thermostat and automatic control - Create your own home, away and sleep schedules, or have Alexa automatically control the temperature with Alexa+ advanced features.
Why savings vary from home to home
- Climate and weather: Heating and cooling demand differs by region and season.
- HVAC equipment: Different systems respond differently to setbacks and controls.
- Home characteristics: Insulation, layout, and other building conditions affect heating and cooling needs.
- Household routine: Savings depend in part on whether the thermostat changes settings when the home is unoccupied or people are asleep.
- Rates and fuel: A reduction in runtime does not translate to the same bill savings everywhere.
These differences are why an average cannot tell you what a particular household will save. Nor do the cited figures establish a universal number of months or years to recover a device’s purchase cost.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchHeat pumps need special care with setbacks
Do not apply deep temperature setbacks to a heat pump without checking guidance for your specific system. DOE notes that programmable thermostats have generally not been recommended for heat pumps, although some newer products are designed to make setbacks cost-effective. A control intended for heat pumps may handle operation differently, so system compatibility and manufacturer guidance matter.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- EASY DIY INSTALLATION: Do it yourself fast with a built-in level and simple step-by-step instructions. Works with the HVAC equipment found in most homes
- COMMON WIRE REQUIREMENTS: Common wire(C-Wire) required for heat pump and heat/cool only systems. C-wire not required on most systems
- SAVE ABOUT 23% ON HVAC ENERGY: ENERGY STAR-certified and packed with features that help you save money, including flexible scheduling, geofencing, remote access and usage reports
- PRIVACY PROTECTION: Sensi won’t sell your personal information to third parties or leverage your thermostat activity data for targeting or advertising purposes
- CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE: The top-rated mobile app for Android and iOS devices makes it easy to control your comfort from a smartphone or tablet
Rank #3
- Save up to 23% every year on heating and cooling costs, adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Compared to a hold of 72
- Compatible with 85% of systems, check your system’s compatibility with our online ecobee Compatibility Checker on the ecobee support page
- Change your temperature by easily tapping the color touchscreen or using the ecobee app. Plus, free software upgrades ensure you get the best out of your Smart Thermostat Essential, for years to come
- Automatically adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Keep track of your energy consumption when you're on the go on the ecobee app
- Easy DIY install. No C Wire, no problem. Get the ecobee Power Extender Kit (PEK) for homes without a C-Wire and keep your walls looking nice with our trim kit – both sold separately
How to decide whether a smart thermostat is worth buying
- Try the no-cost option first. Check your existing thermostat’s schedule settings and set back temperatures around actual sleep and away times, if your system supports it.
- Confirm compatibility. Before buying, check the thermostat maker’s compatibility information against your HVAC system, including any heat-pump setup. ENERGY STAR also advises consumers to check compatibility and compare thermostat features.
- Look for field-savings evidence. If energy savings are a central reason for purchase, consider ENERGY STAR-certified models. Certification means the product meets the program’s criteria; it does not guarantee a particular result in your home.
- Value the features you will use. Remote access, scheduling, occupancy sensing, or visibility into equipment use may make the device worthwhile even if financial payback is uncertain.
- Check local incentives separately. Rebates and home-upgrade programs depend on location and current program rules. DOE describes rebate pathways, but eligibility and offers must be verified for your area.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
