Ecobee, a manufacturer of WiFi-enabled smart thermostats for residential and commercial applications, introduced the ecobee3, which takes homes sensing capability a step further with the inclusion of remote sensors to monitor conditions in multiple rooms.
By networking remote sensors, the thermostat can recognize hot and cold spots in the house to deliver optimum comfort to every room. In addition, the sensors help more accurately determine which rooms are occupied, so that the temperature can be adjusted accordingly for energy savings. Up to 32 sensors can be attached to one thermostat.
Users can quickly set a unique schedule for their ecobee thermostat, which it uses in conjunction with the home’s energy profile and local weather data to control the home’s heating and cooling. The accompanying mobile app also allows for remote monitoring and editing of thermostat settings.
The new thermostat also features a simplified new design, including a 3.5-inch touchscreen display intended to be more user-friendly and intuitive than previous products.
Ecobee claims that its smart thermostats will deliver an average savings of 23 percent on heating and cooling costs. The ecobee3 is available for $249 and comes with one remote sensor—additional sensors can be purchased in packs of two for $79.
