This Ecobee thermostat is an energy-saving genius / $250

Keeping homes at a comfortable temperature is a big deal. Heating and cooling account for more than half of the energy consumed by European and North American households. And while the costs are staggering, the flip side is that making the effort to cut consumption can reap huge, cumulative rewards…both economic and environmental.

Since launching the first smart thermostat in 2009, Ecobee estimates its devices have kept more than five million tonnes of CO₂ out of the atmosphere. The Smart Thermostat Premium is its most powerful model yet, possessing a raft of new features to optimise home comfort, lengthen product lifespan and cut average household energy use by up to 26%.

Powered by Ecobee’s eco+ software, the device’s improved controls make it easy to dial in energy targets and navigate peak periods. Meanwhile, enhanced monitoring capabilities help it keep tabs on living habits and recommend tweaks for optimising efficiency. In-built radar tracks home occupancy, while a remote smart sensor is provided to watch over important rooms.

Further sensors can be added to monitor other rooms, windows and doors to locate hot and cold spots, and balance home heating. The Premium is also a smart speaker with integrated Siri and Alexa voice control. Its muti-tasking extends to an air quality monitor, helping owners to breathe easy while living lighter.

Named as one of TIME magazine’s best inventions of 2022, the Smart Thermostat Premium is built for North American households, where owners can help researchers analyse trends in energy usage by opting into Ecobee’s data donation program. For homeowners in other territories, Ecobee offers a tool to check compatibility.