Real‑world examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency

Standout examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency in 2024–2025

When people ask for examples of examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency, they’re usually thinking of a glossy touchscreen on the wall. The real story is in the features and how they’re used. Below are some of the best examples currently on the market, with a focus on real-world performance, not just marketing claims.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat: The classic learning example

If you want a widely used example of a learning thermostat, Nest is still the reference point. It builds a schedule automatically based on how you adjust the temperature during the first couple of weeks. Over time, it pairs that behavior with occupancy sensing and weather data.

Key efficiency angles:

• Auto-Schedule and Home/Away Assist: The thermostat uses motion sensors and your phone’s location to reduce heating and cooling when nobody’s home.
• Eco Temperatures: It nudges you toward more efficient setpoints, and the “Nest Leaf” icon shows when you’re in an energy-saving range.
• Energy reports: Monthly reports show runtime and how your usage compares to previous months.

Nest cites independent studies showing average savings of about 10–12% on heating and 15% on cooling, though actual savings vary widely by climate and behavior. Those numbers are in the same ballpark as estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy, which notes that adjusting your thermostat 7–10°F for 8 hours a day can save up to about 10% a year on heating and cooling costs (energy.gov). Nest is one of the clearest examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency when you want something that “just works” for most households.

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium: A whole‑home comfort example

If Nest is the poster child for learning, Ecobee is the go-to example of room-by-room control. The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium uses wireless SmartSensors that you can place in key rooms. That matters because most homes have temperature hot spots and cold corners.

Why it’s one of the best examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency:

• Remote sensors: The thermostat can average temperatures from multiple rooms, so your system doesn’t overrun just to satisfy one bad thermostat location.
• Occupancy detection: Sensors can tell which rooms are in use and prioritize comfort there.
• Time-of-use awareness (where supported): Ecobee can shift heating or cooling slightly to avoid the most expensive times of day.

Ecobee has published data suggesting up to 23% savings on heating and cooling compared with holding a constant temperature. That’s on the optimistic side, but it’s a good example of how combining occupancy sensing and zoning-like behavior can outperform a basic programmable thermostat.

Amazon Smart Thermostat: A budget-friendly efficiency example

Not everyone wants a feature-packed flagship. The Amazon Smart Thermostat is a solid example of smart thermostats for energy efficiency at a lower price point. It was developed with input from Resideo (the Honeywell Home folks), so it’s not a toy.

Efficiency features worth noting:

• Simple scheduling: You can set time-based schedules or let Alexa suggest routines based on your habits.
• Away modes: It can automatically switch to more efficient temperatures when you’re out.
• Voice and app control: The easier it is to tweak setpoints, the more likely you are to avoid energy-wasting extremes.

It doesn’t have the same level of learning or multi-room sensing as Ecobee or Nest, but it’s a real example of how you can still gain energy savings with modest automation and a low upfront cost.

Honeywell Home T9 / T10 Pro: A flexible, installer‑friendly example

For people with more complex HVAC setups—or who just want something an HVAC tech loves to work with—the Honeywell Home T9 and T10 Pro are strong examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency.

What makes them stand out:

• Smart Room Sensors: Like Ecobee, they use wireless sensors with occupancy detection.
• Geofencing + scheduling: The thermostat can switch between home and away modes based on your phone’s location.
• Advanced system support: Heat pumps, multi-stage systems, and humidity control are handled more gracefully than by many entry-level smart thermostats.

These models are good examples of how pro-grade thermostats can still deliver modern app control and data, while playing nicely with more complicated HVAC equipment that’s common in newer or larger homes.

Mysa Smart Thermostat: A real example for electric baseboards and in‑floor heat

Most glossy thermostat ads quietly assume you have a central furnace or heat pump. If you live in a condo or older home with electric baseboard heaters, you need a different kind of device. Mysa is a standout example of a smart thermostat designed specifically for high-voltage electric heat.

Why this matters for efficiency:

• Zone-level control: Each room can have its own schedule, so you’re not heating unused spaces.
• Energy charts: You get clear visual feedback on which rooms are driving your electric bill.
• Smart home integration: Works with major platforms so you can trigger “away” scenes that cut back multiple thermostats at once.

Electric resistance heat is notoriously expensive per BTU. Mysa is a practical real example of how better control—not new equipment—can still make a noticeable dent in usage.

Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat: A straightforward retrofit example

Emerson’s Sensi Touch is a good example of smart thermostats for energy efficiency when you’re dealing with older wiring or want something that behaves more like a traditional programmable thermostat, just smarter.

Highlights:

• Broad compatibility: Works in many homes that lack a C-wire, which is a common barrier to upgrading.
• Energy-saving schedules: You can build detailed weekday/weekend schedules and layer in geofencing.
• Usage reports: The app shows runtime trends so you can see the impact of changes.

Sensi isn’t flashy, but it’s a solid real example for people who want reliability and clear data rather than a lot of AI marketing buzz.

Smart thermostats in apartments and small buildings: Real examples beyond single-family homes

So far, most examples of examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency have focused on single-family homes. But smart controls are quietly reshaping energy use in multifamily buildings and small commercial spaces too.

Some real examples include:

• Wi‑Fi thermostats in small offices that prevent staff from cranking the AC to 65°F and leaving it there all weekend.
• Smart thermostats in student housing, where property managers lock in minimum and maximum setpoints while still allowing app-based control.
• Utility demand response programs, where enrolled smart thermostats automatically precool or preheat buildings before peak pricing events, then coast through with reduced load.

The U.S. Department of Energy highlights smart thermostats and connected devices as a key tool in demand response and grid flexibility programs (energy.gov). These are important examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency at a system level, not just a household level.

Key features that define the best examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency

When you strip away branding, the best examples share a few traits that actually move the needle on energy use. If you’re comparing models, pay more attention to these than to cosmetic differences.

Learning, sensing, and automation

The top examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency all lean on some mix of the following:

• Learning algorithms that build schedules from your behavior instead of forcing you to program everything manually.
• Occupancy detection using motion sensors or phone geofencing, so your system can relax when you’re out.
• Weather awareness, which lets the thermostat anticipate hotter or colder days and adjust in advance.

These features work together to solve the classic problem: people forget to change the thermostat. Automating that behavior is what delivers consistent savings.

Data, feedback, and nudges

Another pattern across the best examples is feedback. When you see how your usage changes, you’re more likely to stick with energy-saving habits.

Look for:

• Runtime history: How long did your system run today versus last week?
• Comparisons over time: Did your new schedule actually reduce runtime?
• Efficiency indicators: Little cues (like Nest’s Leaf) that show when you’re in an efficient range.

Behavioral research backs this up. The Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program notes that programmable and smart thermostats can save energy, but only when people actually use their scheduling and setback features correctly (energystar.gov). Smart thermostats that make this easier and more visible are better examples of technology supporting human behavior rather than fighting it.

Compatibility with your HVAC system

A less glamorous but very real factor: not every thermostat works with every system. The most impressive examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency won’t help if they can’t control your equipment properly.

Pay attention to:

• System type: Furnace, boiler, heat pump, electric baseboard, radiant floor.
• Stages and accessories: Multi-stage heating/cooling, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, ventilation.
• Wiring: Whether you have a C-wire, or whether the thermostat has a workaround.

This is where pro-oriented models like Honeywell T10 Pro or Sensi Touch often shine. They’re real-world examples of devices that can tap into advanced HVAC features like variable-speed fans or dual-fuel systems, which can unlock additional efficiency.

How much energy can smart thermostats realistically save?

Marketing copy loves big numbers, but the honest answer is: it depends heavily on how you used your old thermostat.

Some grounded points:

• If you rarely changed your old thermostat and kept the house at one temperature all day, smart thermostats can be some of the best examples of quick-payback efficiency upgrades.
• If you were already disciplined—using deep setbacks at night and when away—the savings from upgrading may be modest, but you’ll gain convenience, data, and better fine-tuning.

Government and independent sources give a reasonable range:

• The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that turning your thermostat back 7–10°F for 8 hours a day can save up to about 10% a year on heating and cooling (energy.gov). Smart thermostats automate that behavior.
• ENERGY STAR–certified smart thermostats are tested to deliver measurable savings when used as intended (energystar.gov).

So when you look at the best examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency, treat manufacturer savings claims as “up to” numbers, not guarantees. The biggest wins usually come from households that previously ran their systems more than necessary.

Choosing the right smart thermostat for your home

With so many examples of examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency on the market, choice overload is real. A simple way to narrow it down:

• For most central HVAC homes: Google Nest Learning or Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium are strong starting points.
• For multi-room comfort issues: Ecobee, Honeywell T9/T10, or any model with reliable remote sensors.
• For electric baseboards or in-floor heat: Mysa or other high-voltage smart thermostats designed for 120/240V loads.
• For older wiring or budget upgrades: Amazon Smart Thermostat or Emerson Sensi lines.

The right pick is the example of a thermostat that matches your wiring, your system type, and your tolerance for tinkering. A less fancy model that you actually set up and use will beat a premium thermostat that never gets configured properly.

FAQ: Common questions about examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency

What are some real examples of smart thermostats that actually save energy?
Real-world examples include the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, Amazon Smart Thermostat, Honeywell Home T9/T10 Pro, Emerson Sensi Touch, and Mysa for electric baseboards. The best examples pair learning, occupancy sensing, and clear feedback so you see and maintain savings.

Can you give an example of how a smart thermostat reduces my bill?
A typical example of savings: you set your smart thermostat to drop the heat from 70°F to 62°F every weekday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. while you’re at work, and again overnight. The thermostat uses geofencing and learning to avoid heating an empty house, then warms things back up before you arrive. Over a year, that kind of automated setback can trim heating and cooling costs by around 5–10% for many homes.

Are smart thermostats worth it in mild climates?
Yes, though the payback is slower. In mild climates, the best examples of smart thermostats for energy efficiency tend to save more on cooling than heating, especially if you use features like precooling before peak rates and wider temperature bands when you’re away.

Do all smart thermostats work with heat pumps?
No. Some budget models are limited. If you have a heat pump, look for specific heat pump compatibility, and consider examples like Ecobee, Nest, or Honeywell T‑series that support advanced heat pump features, including auxiliary heat control.

Is there an example of a smart thermostat that doesn’t need Wi‑Fi all the time?
Most smart thermostats will keep running your basic schedule even if Wi‑Fi drops. Models like Sensi, Honeywell T‑series, and Nest are all examples of devices that can maintain core functions offline, though you’ll lose app control and remote adjustments until the connection returns.

What’s the best example of a smart thermostat for renters?
If your landlord allows it and the wiring is compatible, Amazon Smart Thermostat or Nest are common renter-friendly examples. They’re relatively easy to install and remove when you move out, and they give you app control and scheduling without major changes to the property.