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With the advanced thermostat technology available today, heat pump thermostats can do amazing things. However, I found that the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 offers just the right mixture of convenience and operating capabilities.
Despite all the technology available today, not every thermostat configures correctly with all HVAC system models. I find had to lay out the thermostats that were solely designed to operate heat pumps.
Wireless connectivity offers a type of convenience and control that simply can’t be matched. I wanted to make sure my new thermostat offered me the ability to link to Wi-Fi.
After dropping a few hundred dollars on a thermostat, I didn’t want to spend a few more to have a pro install it. Therefore, I looked for a model that was as DIY-friendly as possible.
I don’t want to spend a good portion of my day at my thermostat or on the app, making minor adjustments to help with energy consumption. I knew that programming capabilities would eliminate this need, so I chose a model that offered such capabilities.
Ultimate personalized home comfort is now available in the color of your choosing. Personalize everything from temperature settings to the background color the stat displays.
Check Price on AmazonThe RTH9585WF1004 doesn’t just feature an easily operable and intuitive bright touchscreen, but it gives you the option of choosing a background color of several varying options.
Choose one that meshes with your décor. Don’t worry if you paint or change wallpaper because there is a whole palette of colors to choose from.
The RTH9585WF1004 is easily configurable with most of today’s common HVAC systems, including heat pumps.
Although the thermostat only weighs a mere pound, it offers a spatial footprint of 3.5” x 4.5” x 0.88”, which will easily cover most older thermostats.
Eliminate the need for a backplate or additional wall repairs. Along with 7-day programming capabilities, the RTH9585WF1004 gives users total control from anywhere in the world.
Simply link to your Wi-Fi or smartphones, configure the app, and you’ll be able to control the thermostat anytime and anywhere.
The remote controlling capabilities are what drew me to the stat.
They are also the reason I put it at the top. With the capabilities of this stat, users will not only be able to change temperatures and turn the system on and off remotely.
They’ll also be to set up crucial intelligent alters, like filter reminders and humidifier pad change reminders.
Along with this, users can access a whole load of energy reports to ensure your system is always operating at maximum efficiency.
The stat is configurable with most of today’s most popular voice assistants as well!
Why spend hundreds of extra dollars when you can get the same name and features at a fraction of the cost?
Check Price on AmazonBacked by the Honeywell name, the RTH6580WF still offers the same fine craftsmanship and dependability that you’ll find in all Honeywell products.
The only problem is the design isn’t quite as flashy. It’s plain with rectangular dimensions of 5.75” x 1.5” x 3.5”, which should have a problem completely covering most older designs.
There are separate backplates available if needed. The RTH6580WF doesn’t offer touchscreen capabilities or a sleek, futuristic interface, but it does offer an easy-to-use app.
Choose the Total Connect Comfort App or the Honeywell Home App, and you’ll have complete control of this thermostat from anywhere in the world.
With voice capabilities, you can issue simple voice commands from across the room to have the stat do whatever is desired or needed.
The manual interface is a bit more complicated than most thermostats, with a multitude of buttons on the cover.
However, the app makes every more navigable and easier to control.
As far as the installation goes, it is hard to match the simplicity.
Along with offering today’s most advanced features, the RTH6580WF also offers classic favorites that users have grown to love.
Easy-to-read digital lit display, a real-time clock, permanent hold, temporary hold, and precision accuracy right down to one degree.
The only downside I discovered was that it does require a common wire.
The stat is compatible with a multitude of HVAC systems, including heat pumps, but it does require a common wire for installation.
In addition to this, this model has been around the block, so it has been tried and tested. You’ll find all kinds of self-help, intuitive videos online.
Just the fact that this thermostat is a 3rd generation should tell you that it has been tried and tested over the years.
Check Price on AmazonThe popular Nest Thermostat is back, and it is armed with the most intuitive, smart features the industry has to offer.
It features its sleek, patented circular design, which probably won’t cover most older models.
You might have to invest in an additional backplate or do some repainting.
The thermostat measures out to total dimensions of 3.3” x 3.3” x 1.21” but offers a multitude of unique color configurations.
Choose from brass, stainless steel, mirror black, copper, polished, and brass.
The Nest 3’rd generation doesn’t just offer today’s most advanced smart technologies like smartphones and remote voice capabilities.
It offers an entirely new type of interface that learns along with your family. Install the stat, configure it, and give it a week.
After that first week, it’ll automatically choose and adjust temperatures for you based on previous selections.
This is the learning technology, and it will make temperature decisions based on comfort as well as energy savings.
Programming goes right out the window with this technology.
That said, the options are there if you want to indulge. With Wi-Fi and remote voice capabilities, you can do a ton of varying things with this stat.
Independent studies show that the Nest learning technology can save homeowners anywhere from 10% to 15% on their energy bills.
That Nest will virtually pay for itself!
Along with getting accurate and consistent reports of energy consumption, you’ll know when you are operating in energy-savings modes because the patented leaf will show on the screen.
The Ecobee Lite is so smart that it is almost scary. With the right setup, the Lite Thermostat will detect when windows and doors are open.
Check Price on AmazonThe Ecobee Lite does a lot of things differently. The first thing I must note is the huge energy savings.
Independent studies show that this thermostat saves as much as 23% on energy bills. That’s easily a few hundred dollars every year.
The stat will pay for itself in the first year. With control from anywhere in the world with top Wi-Fi capabilities, you’ll always have control over your system.
That said, there is little need for monitoring of manual control because the Ecobee does it all for you.
Add smart sensors along with a security subscription and the heating and cooling system will automatically pause when a door or window is left open.
The model will also pair with room temperature sensors, so you can specifically control the temperature in one room.
Do you have hot and cold spots in the home?
The Ecobee Lite can help eliminate that problem with the hassle and expense of duct repairs.
The thermostat is not only heat pump compatible, but it’ll easily integrate with all your preferred smart devices.
It’s simple as easy as plug-and-play. Along with pairing with most HVAC system designs; the thermostat also works with most of today’s popular remote voice systems.
The only complaint I had about the Ecobee was its design. It’s sleek, it’s an interior addition where installed, but it only offers a small footprint.
With dimensions of 4.05” x 1 “x 4.05”, you’ll likely need to make wall repairs.
Another notable thing that must be touched on is the three-year manufacturer warranty.
Ecobee might not be as well-known or trusted as Honeywell, but a three-year warranty is hard to overlook.
Kick, punch, and chop your electrical bills by 23% when you take advantage of this thermostat.
Check Price on AmazonIt might not offer the most futuristic design or touchscreen capabilities, but as far as simplicity goes, the Emerson Sensi is unmatched.
It doesn’t require a common wire for some installations and comes with an additional built-in level just to help ensure you get the model level.
The Sensi features a basic rectangular design with dimensions of 3.75” x 5.88” x 1”, so covering most previous models shouldn’t be a problem.
Although the interface is not a touchscreen, it is more than simplistic.
You’ll probably get away without a common wire, and there is a step-by-step installation video, accessible via that app.
It’ll walk you right through the entire installation, eliminating all the guesswork.
Reports show that the thermostat alone can potentially save you as much as 23% on energy bills.
Speaking of the app, it’ll give you all the control that you’d expect.
Get energy reports, change settings, redesign your schedule, get maintenance reminders, and simply monitor your unit’s operation.
Sensi is not one of the better-known manufacturers, but the additional backing of a three-year warranty is hard to pass up.
In addition to the three-year warranty, you also get the Sensi guarantee that the company will not sell your information.
If you are looking for innovative smart controls, a futuristic design, a touchscreen interface, along with big savings, look no further than the T5.
Check Price on AmazonThe thing I noted with the T5 was how above and beyond Honeywell went.
Not only is the T5 loaded with today’s top voice and smart control capabilities, but the installation is as DIY as it gets.
Honeywell even includes an additional power module just in the event that you don’t have a common wire.
The batteries in the power module replace the need for the 24-volt common wire.
The module will act as the common, offering a multitude of additional installation options.
Along with geofencing technology, the T5 can use your smartphone’s location to know when you are returning home.
The thermostat will have the home primed and ready at comfortable temperatures. I found the geofencing technology an exceptional feature.
In fact, it will likely be the next big thing in the heating and air industry.
Geofencing technology doesn’t just set your thermostat to an optimal energy-saving temperature like 75 degrees F.
The technology monitors the temperatures in your area and offers the most optimal, energy-efficient settings based on that.
This not only offers big energy savings, but it offers more comfort. Design a schedule tailor-made for your specific destination.
With smart alerts, you’ll always be able to stay on top of crucial maintenance tasks.
Custom fan settings let you take your fan-only operation to another level by circulating more or less air as needed.
You’d be surprised at what a difference just keeping the air moving in the home can make.
The design is superb with a futuristic look and feel as well as a beautifully bright backlight. The only downside is the smaller square footprint.
The square design is unique, to say the least, but the footprint won’t likely cover larger models.
Same great offering as the 3rd Generation, except they come at half the cost This model laid the patch for the latter model.
Check Price on AmazonThis model is nearly identical to Nest’s 3rd Generation, except for just a few things. Given the name, you’ve probably already figured out this model is colored white.
Unfortunately, that’s the only color available, but it offers bright white aesthetics that look great and give off a clean and sanitized feel.
Simply pass by the stat to activate the beautiful backlit screen. Despite the smaller footprint of 3.1” x 3.1” x 1.07”, the thermostat is very bright and readable.
It, however, probably won’t cover the entirety of the old models. The biggest noticeable difference between the Snow and 3rd Generation is the learning technology.
Although this model doesn’t use geofencing or create a personal schedule past on previous settings, it does offer 7-day programming.
Not only that, but after your program is set up and the stat has acclimated enough to get accurate energy readings, it will spit out suggestions to help you save on operating costs.
The stat can be configured with 85% of today’s HVAC units, including heat pumps. It will require a common connection.
Installation and setting up the thermostat is very DIY thanks to the intuitive Google Home App.
Configure it with your Android device, and it’ll walk you right through the installation, as well as scheduling.
Easily make remote alterations when needed with the app. Like the 3rd Generation, other users can also utilize the app and make remote changes or get energy readings.
Energy readings and maintenance reminders will help ensure your system always runs in prime condition.
The built-in leveling device ensures that the stat is installed at a level position.
It’s look good installed anywhere with its beautiful white cosmetics while also offering the utmost in energy savings.
This Sensi thermostat will have your HVAC system kicking and punching its way to huge savings like a well-oiled ninja in training.
Check Price on AmazonIf you were impressed with the first kung fu master, prepared to be blown even further away with Emerson’s newer Sensi thermostat.
It features a very similar rectangular design but looks much more futuristic in black with a beautifully bright-lit easy-to-read screen.
The screen displays all the pertinent information needed to monitor and maintain your HVAC system to the fullest.
It is all touchscreen operated. Combine that with the Sensi Home App or any one of today’s popular voice applications installation and control become even easier.
With concise energy settings, you stand to save as much as 23% on your energy bills. Emerson brings its easy DIY platform with this newer model.
Control from anywhere in the world and get daily or monthly reminders of all the critical data.
Energy usage reports are accurate right down to the last percent and can be accessed from anywhere with the app.
The rectangular design of 3.4” x 5.63” x 1.17” will likely cover most older models without the need to repaint.
This updated Sensi is not only compatible with most voice assistants today, but it is also easily configurable with a myriad of HVAC systems.
Along with the backing of a three-year warranty, you also get the same privacy guarantee that Sensi won’t auction your user information or settings to third parties.
The major tool manufacturer is making a huge splash in the heating and air industry with the induction of this sleek device.
Check Price on AmazonAs equally known DeWalt or Nikita Tools, the Bosch manufacturer has built an exceptional reputation for itself.
It was only fair that big things be expected when they forayed into the HVAC industry.
I can attest to the fact that this model rivals anyone listed here with its beautifully crafted base and intuitive touchscreen interface.
Its white rectangular design stands out even more with the fully backlit blue touchscreen.
Offering bright readings and pertinent system information, you won’t have a problem monitoring your system.
The more impressive feature I discovered with the BCC100 is the new cool to dehumidify mode.
The BCC100 doesn’t just display the humidity on the home screen, but it allows you to control it.
Without an additional humidifier, you can set the desired humidity in the cooling mode.
This ensures that the thermostat reaches the desired humidity setting before shutting off.
Not just monitoring and operating by temperature, this new humidity feature will bring more comfort to the home along with energy savings.
As far as accessories go, you can nearly configure the app with any of today’s top HVAC accessories.
You even have the option of linking the BCC100 to an unlimited number of other thermostats.
Take scheduling, comfort, and control even further with the 4-period scheduling capability.
Unfortunately, a common wire is required for heat pump operation.
Bosch takes things even further and makes installation more convenient by linking up with an array of power modules.
If you want to use the stat but don’t have a common wire, you can connect nearly anyone of the power module accessories to eliminate the wire.
Knowing that you need a Wi-Fi thermostat with heat pump compatibilities is going to greatly narrow your selection.
In order to make the perfect pick, there will still be a multitude of things that need to be considered. The only place to start is with the wiring and the sizing.
Just because you know you need a heat pump, there will still be other wiring considerations that need to be considered.
Pull the cover off the front of your current thermostat and take a peek at what you are working with. Note the wires used and the ones not used.
Note the size. Sizing doesn’t need to be considered a breaking point if you are willing to repaint, spackle, or plaster.
That said, there are a lot of additional backplates that can also be picked up affordably to cover more surfaces.
From here it’s just a mere matter of narrowing down the features and control option you desire.
As you can see from the examples above, there is a myriad of combinations.
Going with a reputable and well-known manufacturer does necessarily need to be a defining line as long as the model comes with a dependable warranty.
Other than these pertinent essentials, the decision comes down to your most desired features of the thermostat.
With today’s technology, it only makes sense to invest in a model that offers convenience as well as energy efficiency.
You will, however, need to confirm that the energy claims are accurate. All Wi-Fi-capable stats will offer remote controlling options, and most will be voice-assisted.
These features along with programming options are also good, as they make life much more convenient. Everything else is optional from this point.
Any stat listed above will offer what you are looking for, but if you still feel the need to venture out on your own, you can use the models above as guidelines.