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Best HomeKit Thermostats for Energy Savings 2024

Alicia6/17/2024
homekit thermostat

HomeKit thermostats are smart devices that let the homeowner change the temperature in their home through App and Apple’s Home App or by using voice commands to Siri. By using a HomeKit-compatible thermostat, you can control the temperatures, set programs, and also control climates – all from iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or HomePod.

Selecting the best thermostat for homekit will allow control and easy customization of the device, together with optimum savings on energy bills and compatibility with other HomeKit devices. Apple HomeKit thermostats offer many advantages, and this article features a list of the best models to buy in 2024, advice on configuring HomeKit thermostats, and how to use them in daily life.

What is an Apple HomeKit Thermostat?

The Apple HomeKit Thermostat can be best described as a thermostat that is compatible to work with the HomeKit framework. It works with your iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices and can be controlled directly via the Home app or through Siri.

Key features of HomeKit thermostats include:

  • Remote access and control from Apple devices
  • Integration with HomeKit scenes and automations
  • Voice control via Siri
  • Advanced scheduling and temperature settings
  • Real-time monitoring of home temperatures
  • Compatibility with other HomeKit accessories like lights, locks and security cameras

HomeKit thermostats make it easy to monitor and control your home's heating and cooling system, even when you're away. The top HomeKit models provide detailed energy usage reports and have intelligent learning capabilities to optimize heating and cooling for both comfort and efficiency.

Apple homekit thermostat

Best Thermostats for HomeKit in the Market

Here are some of the best homekit thermostat in 2024:

1. ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wifi
  • Size: ‎2.9 x 4.09 x 4.09 inches
  • Battery powered: Yes, included

The ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium has built-in Amazon Alexa and Siri support for voice control. It can be remotely accessed via the ecobee app and provides detailed energy reports. The ecobee learns your schedule and can automatically adjust temperatures for comfort and savings.

2. Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat

  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wifi
  • Size: 5.6 x 3.25 x 0.77 inches
  • Battery powered: No, C-wire only

The Emerson Sensi Touch has a user-friendly touchscreen interface. You can quickly adjust temperatures and view energy usage. It works with Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. It is the best thermostat for Apple homekit.

3. iDevices Instinct Smart Thermostat

  • Connectivity: Wifi
  • Size: ‎5.12 x 0.8 x 3.35 inches
  • Battery powered: No, C-wire only

The affordable iDevices Instinct offers the convenience of HomeKit integration. It has a simple, clean design and is easy to configure. You can control it remotely and create automations.

Benefits of Using HomeKit-Compatible Thermostat

HomeKit thermostats provide various advantages over traditional thermostats:

Energy Efficiency

Smart thermostats like the Honeywell Smart thermostat or the Nest Learning Thermostat use motion sensors to see if the house is occupied. This makes it possible for the thermostat to set the right heating and cooling cycle for your common schedule and settings. This leads to good and appropriate temperatures for processes in the industry and enhanced utilization of energy thereby improving energy conservation.

Holistically, the data availability offered by HomeKit models aids in the detection of wasted energy usage by the provision of detailed energy reports. Therefore, you can utilize it to alter the schedule and the settings as more suitable for the best approach.

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Ease of Use

The ease of adjusting a HomeKit thermostat temperatures from your iPhone or asking Siri to do it for you make controlling the climate of your home a very easy thing. There is no need to get up early in the morning or in the middle of the night to turn up or down a heater or an air conditioner.

Other HomeKit thermostats like the Emerson Sensi Touch also feature rather easy to use touchscreens. Temperature info or settings can be changed on the device easily or by simply looking at the screen.

Individual Customization

HomeKit supported thermostats are compatible with HomeKit scenes and automation processes. You can set up triggers such as ‘when I leave home’ to turn off the temperatures for efficiency to be seen. Options are available to set individual schedules and weather preferences.

It also means that each family member can have their own access and uses, and the settings are set according to suitability.

How to Add Thermostat to HomeKit

Adding a HomeKit thermostat to your smart home is a straightforward process:

  1. Purchase a certified HomeKit-compatible thermostat like the ecobee Smart Thermostat.
  2. Install the thermostat according to the manufacturer instructions.
  3. Open the Apple Home app and tap "Add Accessory".
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to scan the HomeKit code or enter the code manually from the thermostat.
  5. The thermostat will then appear in your Home app, ready to be controlled remotely and automated.

Be sure to install all required software and firmware updates so the thermostat stays connected to HomeKit. Refer to the thermostat manufacturer's app and instructions for more details.

Is Nest Thermostat Compatible with HomeKit?

Yes, the Nest Thermostat is now compatible with Apple HomeKit as of April 2023. This is made possible due to the new Nest thermostat homekit supporting the Matter smart home standard. An over-the-air software update is automatically enabling HomeKit integration on the Nest Thermostat.

However, the previous generation Nest Learning Thermostat still does not work natively with HomeKit, since it is not Matter-compatible. Only the newer, standard Nest thermostat Apple homekit model can connect directly to HomeKit without any extra hardware or workarounds needed.

FAQs

What is HomeKit on a thermostat?

HomeKit is an Apple built software platform that enables control and integration of devices like a Smart Thermostat via an iPhone/iPad and synchronization to other HomeKit devices. For instance, HomeKit thermostats are controlled through the Apple Home app and via voice with Siri.

Which Nest thermostats work with HomeKit?

Your Nest Thermostat must be the latest generation Nest Thermostat, however, the Nest Learning Thermostat line and Nest Thermostat E are not supported. Your Nest Thermostat should have software version 1.3 or higher, which is compatible with Matter smart home standard. Version 3.1 will also work for that purpose.

What is the best thermostat that works with Siri?

The ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is one of the leading HomeKit thermostats; it is compatible with the smart assistant Siri. It allows users to modify temperatures using voice commands; set temperature, on/off timings, view the consumption reports among other things.

Conclusion

Some HomeKit thermostats including the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium provide a means of controlling them remotely, they help save energy, and they work well in combination with other Apple smart home products. Beneficial advantages include improved performance, simplicity and the ability to add unique automations.

Siri compatibility and enhanced options such as occupancy detection are the key features of HomeKit models that offer users comfort and efficient climate control. Just use the steps outlined above and you’ll have an Apple certified thermostat physically connected to HomeKit in no time.

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Editor from Reolink. Interested in new technology trends and willing to share tips about home security. Her goal is to make security cameras and smart home systems easy to understand for everyone.