Nest learning thermostat 3rd gen: our recommendation
As the name suggests, the Nest Learning Thermostat stands out for its learning abilities. Thanks to its many sensors that measure the current temperature of the home, the humidity rate, movements and ambient light in order to establish an ideal temperature and to regulate itself to reach it optimally according to your habits.
It is possible to control the temperature remotely from your smartphone (iOS and Android), tablet or computer, which allows you to use features such as "Auto-absence" so that it manages the production of hot water and the temperature differently during scheduled absences.
It is compatible with combination boilers, domestic hot water calorifiers, boilers, heat pumps, multi-zone systems, OpenTherm heating systems and hydraulic floor heating systems. The 3rd generation Nest learning Thermostat is available at 249 euros.
Le Nest Learning Thermostat 3 en bref
- Remotely controllable via computers, mobiles and tablets
- An "Auto-absence" mode is very practical
- It is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Tado ° with starter kit v3: the alternative
The Tado ° v3 pack includes the connected thermostat and an Internet bridge. The Tado can be controlled remotely via smartphone (iOS, Android), tablet or computer. It is compatible with 95% of heating systems as well as with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT and Apple HomeKit.
Thanks to its geolocation function, it manages consumption according to the location of the smartphone, but can also be programmed. As with Nest, its multiple sensors allow it to adapt to different situations.
It is equipped with a system which warns the user if he notices a malfunction in the heating system and also offers detailed reports on energy consumption. If the basic kit is already sufficient, it can be supported by numerous accessories to extend the compatibility with other heating systems. You can also buy thermostatic heads to be fixed on radiators to manage them individually. It is found under the bar of 170 euros.
Le Tado ° v3 in bref
- It offers detailed reports
- It is compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT and Apple HomeKit
- Several accessories to enhance the experience
Sowee: the astonishing solution of the EDF subsidiary
EDF has launched a connected offer via its subsidiary Sowee, an interesting solution in many respects. Sowee being both electricity and gas supplier, it can offer you a turnkey solution including the contract and the connected station. It is for this reason that the station is not for sale strictly speaking.
It accompanies the contract for an additional 5,99 euros per month with two kits for individual electric heaters. It will be necessary to add 1,99 euro per additional kit, that is to say per electric heater. These kits will be useless with a conventional boiler. We can consider that part of the additional cost of the station is absorbed by the savings achieved through better management of energy consumption, but the end result will be very dependent on your home, its insulation, etc.
For the rest, the connected station is complete. It not only acts as a connected thermostat, but also displays various information such as air quality, weather, time, and even the estimated travel time to your work. Finally, the station integrates a speaker with the connected assistant Alexa… which means that it offers all the functionalities of an Amazon Echo.
The Sowee in brief
- Energy subscriptions and connected station in the same contract
- A screen that displays a lot of information, with Amazon Alexa
- EDF's expertise
Netatmo thermostat: colorful
A nugget of of the country tech offering many smart devices, Netatmo unsurprisingly has a thermostat connected to its catalog. The company was bought out in 2021 by the Legrand Group, to develop its home automation offer.
This smart thermostat is compatible with gas, oil and wood boilers, as well as with heat pumps. It can be controlled remotely via a smartphone (iOS and Android), it is compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and it also works on Facebook Messenger. It can also adapt to the outside temperature and take into account the insulation of the home and lifestyle to optimize its program.
It also integrates the auto-care function to warn of the state of its batteries and of a possible anomaly in the operation of the heating. Netatmo also has a network of licensed installers if you don't feel like doing it yourself. We will talk about this a little further down.
As with Tado, you also have several accessories available. The thermostat is also part of Netatmo's very large ecosystem, which notably offers connected weather stations. His little joke can be found in the 4 four color options available. It's nice, but it won't suit all interiors. It is available for less than 160 euros. And if you want even more finesse, it is possible to add connected thermostatic heads to the system. These allow you to adjust the temperature room by room.
The Netatmo thermostat at a glance
- Device colors are customizable
- It can be used with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Facebook Messenger
- Its application offers a history of energy consumption
Somfy thermostat: the cheaper option
A big name in home automation, Somfy has a relatively complete solution, but which has the merit of being offered at a reasonable price. We find all the traditional features such as remote control, programming or geolocation thanks to which the heating increases when you get closer to your home, as well as compatibility with voice assistants.
On the other hand, it will ignore other sensors, in particular the presence detector or, more surprisingly, the permanent display of the current temperature. However, it can be set directly on the object. Rather appreciable, however, Somfy offers a comprehensive tool that allows you to check the compatibility of the thermostat with your installation and offer you the products accordingly if, for example, you need an additional hub. You will also benefit from a network of installers. It is offered at less than 140 euros.
Somfy thermostat at a glance
- The main advantages of a connected thermostat,
- Compatible with voice assistants
- Somfy ecosystem
Thermostatic heads
If you do not have your own boiler (in the case of collective heating for example) or if yours is not adaptable to a connected system, it is possible to bypass the problem by using a thermostatic head directly connected on each radiator.
Tado Thermostatic head V3 +: the most balanced
Not surprisingly, the German company is one of the leaders in this sector. Rare thing for this type of device, the head is quite successful aesthetically, with a discreet and readable temperature display. Installation is incredibly simple and only takes a few minutes, with no drop of water on the horizon. The control can be done via the head or via the supplied app which allows the passage to create a little more advanced scenarios.
Add to that a reasonable price and multiple kits and you've got one of the best solutions of its kind.
Find the Tado ° Starter Kit for 235 € at AmazonEve Thermo: for HomeKit fans
Known for her HomeKit products, Eve tries her hand at heating with the Thermo. Main particularity of this thermostat: it is only HomeKit compatible and does not require any bridge. This facilitates installation, but obviously you lose versatility. The head itself is rectangular and quite massive, which makes it particularly noticeable on some radiators. In addition to the very well thought-out application, you can manually adjust the temperature via two touch buttons.
An interesting product, therefore, but a little expensive and reserved for those who have both feet in the Apple environment.
Find the Eve Thermo for 70 € at AmazonConnected thermostats: what to know before buying
What is a connected thermostat used for?
Before being connected, a thermostat is a… thermostat. It allows to stabilize and program the temperature of its interior and its consumption, therefore its expenses. Whether the thermostat is connected or not, this allows you not to unnecessarily heat your cozy nest.
With connected products, you can also control them remotely using your smartphone and retrieve a lot of data such as consumption statistics. Some models include presence sensors to reduce the heating automatically when no one is detected in the home, have geolocation modes to define an activation perimeter (for example when you are only 2 km from home), or provide analyzes of the home's insulation, the thermal impact of the local weather, or the level of light. In short, a host of possibilities that vary depending on the model.
Is installing a connected thermostat easy?
If manufacturers often put the ease of installation of their thermostat. However, we must face the facts, the operation is not surprisingly simple. If you are a bit of a handyman, it is quite doable, but we would still recommend that you do not go head-to-head in the installation. Take the time to study the matter carefully beforehand. Manufacturers generally offer explanatory videos, installation manuals, etc.
If you do not want to carry out the operation yourself, you can of course call on a specialist or opt for an “installation” package available from some resellers. Prices are variable: as an indication, know that Sowee charges 60 euros for the installation of its system in a home, without particular difficulty.
Are we really saving money with a connected thermostat?
This is the main selling point of connected thermostats: offering reduced electricity bills to customers, and thus amortizing the initial cost. Knowing that heating represents 66% (CEREN, 2021) of the energy bill of households, and that connected thermostats make it possible to reduce this bill by 5 to 15% (ADEME, 2021) depending on the efficiency of the programming carried out, you will save therefore… between 3,3 and 10% (approximately) of your total bill. On average, a of the country household has spent 1519 euros on energy for its housing (Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition, 2021), which results in savings of 50 to 150 euros per year on average. Obviously, these values vary greatly depending on the household, they can only be an example.
To follow us, we invite you to download our Android and iOS application. You will be able to read our articles, files, and watch our latest YouTube videos.
