In this post we introduce you to Ecobee4 smart thermostat. This thermostat comes complete with voice control and ability to control other smart devices in your home. The Ecobee4 has Amazon Alexa built in, providing you with instant voice-assisted control. It connects to your home WiFi network, allowing you to control the temperature from anywhere that you have a wifi signal. This isn’t brand-new, as there are a few other devices out there that do the same. However, there are a few features that set the Ecobee4 apart from the competition:
- The first is Apple HomeKit support. This allows you to connect the Ecobee4 right into your Apple home system, allowing you to control it from anywhere utilizing Siri voice control. No matter where you are, you are able to pull up Siri on your iPhone or iPad, and operate the Ecobee4 using exactly your voice over HomeKit.
- It’s also compatible with IFTTT (if this then that), Samsung’s SmartThings app, and Smart Home platform.
- As mentioned before, Amazon Alexa is integrated into the Ecobee4, so your voice commands allow it to act pretty much as its own Alexa device. Once you’ve got this installed, you can actually talk to it and control the other Alexa-enabled devices in your smart home. If you’re looking to start automating your home, this is one you might want to pay close attention to.
- The Ecobee4 thermostat comes with a room sensor with separate control functioning. Aside from Alexa and HomeKit capability, this is another area where the Ecobee4 stands out. The sensor is placed in a room separate from where the thermostat is located, allowing the system to check temperature and motion in more than one part of the house. So for example, if your thermostat is located in your main living area, you can place the sensor in your bedroom, and it will actually acknowledge when you’re in the bedroom to ensure that the thermostat keeps the temperature exactly how you want it when you’re at home. By the same token, it will save you money when you aren’t home by optimizing the temperature accordingly. You can purchase additional sensors if you’d like more than just the one in the box, as the Ecobee4 allows you to install up to 32 altogether.
On the con side, we found installation of the Ecobee4 to be more complex than the Nest, its main competitor. If you’re not very comfortable dealing with wiring, hire someone to do the installation for you. Ecobee4 instructions say it takes about 45 minutes to install the thermostat. A handyman might be able to do it in less time.
Once it’s installed, you’ll find the touchscreen set up is quite easy and intuitive. You are invited to download the Ecobee app during the process, which we highly recommend as it allows you to control the settings when you are away from home and can not access voice-assist. You also have the option to use your iOS device to quickly get the Ecobee4 set up on your WiFi network, as well as getting Alexa and HomeKit set up so you can control the thermostat with Siri or Alexa voice-assist. Both of these just add to the convenience of setup and operation.
When you’re not standing immediately in front of the Ecobee4, it has a view-only mode showing on the screen. As soon as you walk up to it, it changes into an interactive mode thanks to the built-in proximity sensor. Changing the temperature is as easy as sliding your thumb up and down the right-hand back of the device. You can also get a weather forecast, right on the Ecobee4. And of course, you can change the settings too.
You can also use your smartphone to control the thermostat. Of course, the best option with the Ecobee4 is thevoice-assist command itself. Again, you can do it either with Amazon’s Alexa or Siri and it’s as easy as asking your device to do whatever it is you want to do with the temperature of your home.
Now here’s where the Ecobee4 allows for some advanced functions. So, for example, if I say goodnight to Siri, Siri knows to lock my front entrance, turn all my lights off, turn one light on to 10% brightness and to set the thermostat to the temperature that I like for overnight. So, if you’re in the market for a smart thermostat that enables you interface with it in multiple ways from connected devices, the Ecobee4 is the one to get. Now, one other thing here, as I said, since Alexa is built into the ecobee4, it serves as an Alexa device. You’re not going to be able to play music through the Ecobee4 thermostat, but you can use it control your smart home devices. You can ask the ecobee4 anything that you’d ask any other Amazon Alexa device to do when it pertains to smart home control.
Comment below and let us know if you have any questions about the Ecobee4!
