Ecobee vs Nest

Homeowners and business owners are more in tuned with creating a "Smart" environment. With technology advancing, life is getting more convenient to save energy and money(cha,ching) on your utility bills. Are you considering upgrading your thermostat to one of these high tech savy thermostats? Let's take a closer look at which thermostat is best for you and your home. The term “Smart Home” can mean many different things to different people. Whether you’re looking for cameras to monitor your property while you’re away or finding a easier way to turn the lights on or off, there is certainly a smart home device meant to suit you and your family.


For those of you who care about where your product is designed and built, the next two paragraphs are for you.

ECOBEE Background

According to Wikipedia "Ecobee is a Canadian home automation company that makes thermostats for residential and commercial use. The thermostats are controlled by using the built-in touchscreen, using a registered login or using a companion app available for iOS, Android and the Apple Watch."

NEST Background

According to "Nest Labs – China Sourcing Made in China. Nest Labs is a home automation company from Palo Alto, CA. It produces intelligent, WiFi-enabled programmable thermostats and smoke detectors. It was co-founded in 2010 by two former Apple employees: Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers."

Pros and Cons

The interface is VERY easy to use. It's simple and sleek.

One thing that many people might struggle with when thinking about smart thermostats is how to use it, Sometimes technology can be overwhelming and even frustrating when you just what the darn thing to work. The great news is that the interface of the ecobee device is intuitively easy to use, which means you should be able to get used to it relatively quickly. 

More remote sensors can be added.

Most thermostats only record the temperature near the location where it is installed, I've personally witnessed people installing thermostat in odd locations because fear of the temperature will not be monitored correctly. 

However, the standard ecobee package comes with a remote sensor that can be set up in another location of your home to make sure the temperature reading is consistent throughout. However, you also have the option to add more, which means that you can shape the system into something that will accurately monitor and react to the temperature in your entire home.

The system may use a lot of power

Unfortunately, you may find that the ecobee system may use a lot of power during operation. With this being said, however, it does offer some benefits that other systems do not, so you may well find that the added power usage is more than worth it because it saves you more money than it uses overall.

You may not be able to install it on older heating and cooling systems. However, if your heating and cooling system is older than 10 years old it may be time to start looking for a high efficient system that will pay for itself in the long run. To learn more visit

Depending on the age of the heating and cooling system in your home, your system may not be compatible or require modification. This can be an issue in older homes that have not upgraded to a newer system, so if you are in a new-build, or a home where the heating and cooling system has been updated relatively recently, you should not have a problem having the ecobee device installed.

There are many reasons the ecobee thermostat would be a good choice for your home. But, making a decision about which thermostat to have installed, requires assessing the pros and cons of each device. By doing so, you will make a better-informed decision that will result in the most positive impact on both your home and life in the long term.

The Nest also tracks your energy usage and shows you daily and monthly reports, allowing you to see when you’re using the most energy and how you might be able to make better choices.

The temperature isn’t precise, and it takes some time to teach it your ways. Your smartphone allows you complete control over your home’s temperature, even when you’re miles away. Coming back from vacation and want your home to be nice and cool the moment you walk in the door? A few clicks on your phone, and you’re all set. Even better, the Nest knows how efficient your system is (i.e., how long it will take to cool your home from its current temperature), so it starts the process at the optimal time.On the other hand, what you set isn’t always what you get. The Nest has a three degree temperature swing. So if you set it to 70, it might end up anywhere between 67 to 73. This is all part of helping you save money by working efficiently, but if you’re a stickler for temperatures that are “just right”, the Nest might not be for you.

Additionally, not all homes are equipped to power the Nest’s internal rechargeable battery and may require a C-wire installation (You can find details on the Nest Thermostat website).

HVAC specialists agree its overall efficiency, integration into your daily life, and savings can’t be beat. If you’re looking for a smart way to cut cooling costs, this smart thermostat is a great choice.

Differences Between Ecobee and Nest 

• The Nest E still has the learning technology that made Nest famous, Ecobee3 Lite doesn’t learn.
• Nest E is not compatible with Apple HomeKit, where Ecobee3 Lite is.
• The Lite has a large touch screen interface, where the E just has a frosted glass display.
• The Nest E is almost an inch smaller in all directions.
• The Room Sensors that made Ecobee stand out aren’t available with Nest thermostats.
• Homes without a C-wire will be able to use the Ecobee3 Lite’s PEK; something Nest E doesn’t have.

Similarities Between Ecobee and Nest 

What they have in common is also important. Because they can both share these attributes, knowing what they are will help in the final decision.

• Prices are almost identical, depending on where and when you make your purchase.
• Both utilize wireless communications for mobile app and voice command control.
• Each model has a simple, step-by-step DIY install procedure.
• They are both compatible with heat pump and humidifier controls (2H/1C, 4H/2C).

Still not sure which thermostat is best for your home? Red Apple Air's certified and trained thermostat expert can visit your home or business and give you more details.

Red Apple Air Contractor License #991607

Call for Service: (310)532-0522

25904 Senator Ave. Harbor City CA 90710

Serving Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, San Pedro, Hermosa Beach, Long Beach, Lomita, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Hawthorne, El Segundo, Lawndale, Gardena, Carson and surrounding areas.

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