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Choosing The Best Smart Thermostat For Your Home In 2025

By Travis Baugh

Finding the best smart thermostat for your home is crucial for enhancing comfort and energy efficiency. In this guide, we’ll walk through the variables involved to help you make the right choice, including knowing your existing HVAC system’s thermostat capabilities, understanding the types of thermostats, and weighing the different features and benefits each thermostat possesses.

a carrier dealer shows a couple the best smart thermostat features on a mobile app

Why Choose a Smart Thermostat?

A smart thermostat offers numerous benefits that enhance comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency in your home. 

One of the key advantages is energy savings. Smart thermostats learn your schedule and adjust the temperature automatically, reducing heating and cooling when you’re not at home. This helps lower heating and cooling bills while maintaining a comfortable environment when you return. 

Smart thermostats can be controlled remotely via smartphone apps like the Carrier SmartHome App, allowing you to adjust settings from anywhere. This is particularly useful for making last-minute changes or pre-conditioning your home before you arrive. 

Many smart thermostats are also compatible with other smart home devices, such as voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, making it easier to control your home’s climate with simple voice commands. Additionally, some models provide insights into your energy usage and suggest ways to improve efficiency. Choosing a smart thermostat not only adds convenience but also helps reduce your carbon footprint, making it a smart choice for modern homes.

a carrier dealer finishes installing the best smart thermostat for a home

Nine Key Features To Consider When Selecting The Best Wifi Thermostat

Once you understand your existing HVAC system’s thermostat capabilities and know the types of thermostats available, you are able to dig into the following features of the best wifi thermostats to help make your decision.

1. Know Your HVAC System’s Thermostat Capabilities

Make sure the thermostat you choose is compatible with your home’s HVAC system. Whether you have a single-stage heating and cooling system with one speed or a multi-stage system with high and low speeds will affect your thermostat choices. If your home has a heat pump, you'll need a thermostat that can manage auxiliary heat. You will want to confirm that the thermostat works with your specific heat source (electric, gas, or oil).  If you have a zoned heating and cooling system, make sure the thermostat supports it.  Check if your current thermostat uses a C-wire (common wire), which many newer, smart thermostats require for power. If your current setup lacks a C-wire, some smart models offer power adapters or workarounds.

2. Thermostat Ease of Use

Look for a user-friendly interface with easy-to-read displays, especially if you prefer manual controls. Touchscreens can be convenient but make sure they are intuitive.

3. Energy Saving Features

Many smart thermostats come with features like energy reports, which help you understand your energy usage and find ways to save.

4. Mobile App Ease Of Use

With smart thermostats, you can adjust the temperature from anywhere using a mobile app, such as the Carrier SmartHome app. Read reviews of the app online to see how intuitive the mobile app is to navigate and how often the app faces bugs or issues.  

5. Smart home assistant capability

You’ll want to research if the smart thermostat is compatible with any smart home assistants you may be using at home such as Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit for hands-free adjustments. 
6. Temperature Sensors
Some smart thermostats come with additional temperature sensors you can place in different rooms, allowing you to prioritize certain areas of your home to maintain comfort in specific zones.

7. Energy Star Certification

Look for thermostats with Energy Star certification for optimal energy efficiency. These models are designed to save energy and help lower your utility bills.

8. Rebates

Check with your utility company for potential rebates or discounts for upgrading to an energy-efficient thermostat, especially if you choose a smart model.

9. Budget

Higher-end smart thermostats with advanced features like learning capabilities, remote sensors, and better integration with smart home systems may carry a higher price tag than basic thermostat options. Determine what models fit your family’s budget.

Selecting The Best Thermostat For Your Home

Carrier offers a wide variety of thermostat options for you to pick from for your home.

Infinity System Control

Slick and intuitive, the Infinity System Control helps you maximize the features of an Infinity System. When part of a complete Infinity System with Greenspeed® intelligence, the control makes subtle adjustments for precise temperature and humidity control. With Wi-Fi® connectivity and built-in smarts, the Infinity System Control puts you in command of comfort and energy savings like never before. Optimize your savings by smoothly and efficiently bringing comfort levels to programmed settings. Occupancy sensing automatically sets the system to its highest efficiency when you’re away. The Infinity System Control even reminds you when it’s time to change filters, humidifier pads, UV lights or schedule a system checkup. Control your comfort hands-free as it works with Amazon® Alexa® and other home automation devices. Quick-read icons and simple, on-screen prompts make it easy to take control of your comfort needs

ecobee for Carrier Smart Thermostats 

Carrier and ecobee offer innovative smart thermostat technology with savvy ecobee for Carrier Smart Thermostats.  These thermostats allow you to set a home schedule and personal comfort preferences in addition to helping you save on your annual energy costs. Pair the ecobee for Carrier with Intelisense with the Intelisense-enabled Performance Series equipment and opt in to data sharing for connected comfort benefits. Intelisense Technology allows for critical equipment performance data to be gathered and shared with your dealer who can reassure you that your system is running properly.   This smart home compatible thermostat works seamlessly with third-party smart home platforms such as Apple® HomeKit®, Amazon® Alexa®, Google® Assistant, Samsung® SmartThings® and IFTTT®. The ecobee3 lite is constantly analyzing patterns and adjusting itself to help you save on your annual energy costs. 

Carrier Smart Thermostat

The Carrier Smart Thermostat is the newest and most affordable model in our growing family of thermostats. With a simple touch, it clearly displays system mode, current temperature, fan mode setting, and set-point temperature. This smart thermostat manages single- and two-stage systems as well as indoor air quality accessories to provide comfort-boosting control. Your Carrier dealer can even provide improved system service by remotely viewing the Carrier Smart Thermostat’s operating status data. To enable this feature, you’ll need to accept our terms and conditions, including system status viewing by your dealer. Set customized comfort schedules to match your lifestyle on the Carrier Home App. This thermostat works seamlessly with most third-party smart home platforms. Intuitive LED lighting allows you to see the current operation mode. 

graphic shows best carrier smart thermostat color system

How Do Smart Thermostats Work?

Smart thermostats use sensors and occupancy detection to monitor and adapt to your home’s temperature needs. They track factors like room temperature, humidity, and the presence of people in the home. Occupancy detection helps adjust the temperature when you’re away or asleep, ensuring energy is not wasted.
 
These thermostats are equipped with machine learning algorithms that learn from your daily habits and preferences. Over time, the system adjusts automatically to provide the ideal temperature at specific times of day, optimizing comfort and energy use.
 
Smart thermostats also gather data on energy consumption patterns and home temperature trends. They analyze this information to make real-time adjustments and offer insights through smartphone apps or dashboards. This data-driven approach helps you make informed decisions on energy use, leading to cost savings and a more energy-efficient home.
 

Understand A Smart Thermostat vs. A Programmable Thermostat

Selecting the best smart thermostat for your home requires knowing what a smart thermostat is versus a programmable thermostat.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats connect to Wi-Fi and can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app. They offer features like learning capabilities, geofencing, and voice control. You can adjust the temperature based on your phone’s location, turning the system on or off when you leave or return home. Many are compatible with smart home assistants. Settings can be personalized to your home comfort preferences and weekly and monthly energy insights are available. Smart thermostats use occupancy sensing to tell if you are home or not and can automatically adjust to the weather outside.

Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats allow you to manually set a schedule for different temperatures throughout the day and week, which can help with energy savings. While the feature set is not as robust as smart thermostats, programmable thermostats often allow you to put your system in vacation mode if you are going away and can send you temperature, humidity, and system alerts. Geofencing is not available nor is remote control via an app.

Work With Your Carrier Dealer To Select The Best Wifi Thermostat

Whether your goal is to cut down on energy bills, gain better control over your HVAC system, or simply upgrade your home’s intelligence, a Carrier smart thermostat is the ideal choice. Schedule an appointment with your local Carrier dealer to identify the best solution for your home’s HVAC system. Working with an HVAC contractor is important when selecting the best smart thermostat for your home because they can assess your system's compatibility and ensure the right fit for your needs. An experienced contractor will help you choose a thermostat that works efficiently with your HVAC system, optimizing performance and energy savings. They can also handle the installation, ensuring that wiring, connections, and setup are done correctly. By consulting a professional, you’ll avoid potential issues and maximize the benefits of smart features like remote control and automated scheduling.

a woman sets the temperature on the best wifi thermostat for her home

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Smart Thermostat

If the Wi-Fi goes out, a smart thermostat will continue to control your home's heating and cooling using the last programmed settings. You can still adjust the temperature manually using the thermostat's physical controls, but remote access and smart features like app control, voice commands, and energy reports will be unavailable until the Wi-Fi connection is restored. Basic functionality remains, ensuring your home stays comfortable even without internet.
A smart thermostat can still be worth it if you're always home, as it offers precise temperature control, energy reports, and convenience through voice commands or smartphone control. It can adjust automatically to small temperature changes throughout the day, optimizing comfort and reducing energy waste. However, the energy savings might be less significant than for those with varied schedules, making it more about comfort and ease of use than cost savings.
 
Yes, smart thermostats can lower the heating and cooling portion of your electric bill by optimizing heating and cooling schedules, adjusting temperatures when you're away, and providing insights to improve energy efficiency. These features help reduce unnecessary energy use, leading to cost savings.
 
To determine if your HVAC system can use a smart thermostat, check if it has a C-wire (common wire) for continuous power. You can also consult the thermostat's compatibility guide or ask an HVAC professional to ensure compatibility with your system.
 
While many smart thermostats are designed for DIY installation, it's often recommended to hire a professional if you're unsure about wiring or your HVAC system's compatibility. A pro can ensure proper installation, avoid mistakes, and help integrate it with your system effectively.
Yes, switching to a smart thermostat can be worth it as it offers energy savings, convenience, and improved comfort. It allows you to control your home's temperature remotely, optimize heating and cooling schedules, and reduce energy usage, potentially lowering utility bills over time.
 
Yes, many smart thermostats can automatically switch between heat and cool modes based on your home's temperature. This feature helps maintain a comfortable environment year-round without manual adjustments.
 
No, you don't need a smart thermostat in each room. A single smart thermostat can control the temperature for the entire home, but if you want room-specific control, you can use smart vents or additional sensors for more precise zoning.
 
You may not always need an electrician to install a smart thermostat, as many are designed for easy DIY installation. However, if your HVAC system requires complex wiring or if you’re unsure about electrical connections, it's best to hire an HVAC professional to ensure safe and proper installation.

Explore Carrier Smart Thermostats

Choosing a Carrier smart thermostat provides enhanced control over your home's heating and cooling, offering convenience and energy savings. With features like remote access, energy usage tracking, and adaptive scheduling, a Carrier smart thermostat can help optimize comfort while reducing utility costs. Carrier smart thermostats also integrates seamlessly with other smart home devices, making it a perfect addition to a modern, connected home. Explore Carrier's line of smart thermostats today.

carrier-infinity-system-control-smart-thermostat-SYSTXCCITC01-C
Infinity® System Control (Black)
SYSTXCCITC01-C
Designed exclusively for our Infinity system products for advanced comfort control and energy management.
Initial Cost $$$
ecobee-for-carrier-smart-thermostat-premium-_EB-STATE6ICR-01
ecobee for Carrier Smart Thermostat Premium
EB-STATE6ICR-01
Saving energy is just the beginning. Works seamlessly with third-party smart home platforms, includes a built-in air quality monitor and added features like voice control and an occupancy sensor.
Initial Cost $$
carrier-wifi-smart-thermostat
Carrier Smart Thermostat
TSTATCCEWF-01
The Carrier Smart Thermostat is the latest and most affordable model in our growing family of Wi-Fi®-connected controls.
Initial Cost $
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