Which Saves More Money: Ecobee or Nest?

In the market for a new smart thermostat and trying to figure out which one will save you more money? If so, chances are that you’ve come across two of the most popular options on the market: ecobee and Nest. So, which saves more money between the two?

Ecobee saves more money. According to their website, ecobee saves users an average of 26% on their heating and cooling bills. On the other hand, Nest claims that its thermostats can save users 10-15% on their energy bills. 

This post will pit these two popular smart thermostats against each other to see which one will help you save the most money. If that’s the kind of information you’re looking for, keep reading.

How ecobee and Nest Compare in Energy Savings?

Both ecobee and Nest boast impressive statistics when it comes to saving energy. According to internal studies, ecobee saves customers an average of 26% on heating and cooling costs, while Nest boasts savings of 10-12% on heating costs and 15% on cooling costs.

However, it’s important to note that these numbers have not been verified by any third-party organizations. So while they may give you an idea of how much you could potentially save with either thermostat, they should not be considered gospel. 

Note: In terms of features, both ecobee and Nest offer a wide range of options that can help you save energy. For example, both thermostats allow you to set schedules and temperatures for different times of the day. They also include features like auto-away (which adjusts the temperature when no one is home) and smart detection (which adjusts the temperature based on your activity). 

Read: Nest Or Ecobee Thermostat. What To Choose?

Nest vs. ecobee: How Much Money Can You Save With Each Thermostat? 

While several factors contribute to how much money you can save with a thermostat, both ecobee and Nest claim that their products can significantly save heating and cooling costs.

Specifically, ecobee claims that its thermostats can save customers an average of $234 annually, while Nest pegs its potential savings at $131 – $145 per year.

As I mentioned, these are only estimates, and your actual savings will depend on the following:

• The energy prices in your area: Expect to pay more if you live in an area with high energy costs.
• The climate: If you live in an area with extreme temperatures (i.e., very hot or freezing), you’re likely to use more energy to heat and cool your home, which will offset any potential savings from your thermostat.
• The size of your home: A larger home may require more energy to heat and cool, which could offset any potential savings from your thermostat.
• Your heating/cooling system: An inefficient system will use more energy and offset potential savings from your thermostat.
• Your usage habits: If you’re constantly adjusting the temperature or leaving the house with the AC on, you will not save as much energy and money as your thermostat’s manufacturer promises.

The Bottom Line: Both ecobee and Nest offer the potential for significant savings on your energy bills. So if saving money is your primary concern, either thermostat would be a good choice.

Read: Ecobee Humidity Sensor Problem

ecobee vs. Nest: Pros and Cons 

Now that we’ve compared ecobee and Nest in terms of saving money, let’s look at some of the pros and cons of each thermostat.

ecobee Pros

• Saves an average of 26% on heating and cooling costs: As I mentioned, ecobee claims that you can save an average of 26% on your heating and cooling costs with their thermostat. That has a lot to do with the fact that ecobee has built-in energy-saving features like occupancy sensing and home/away assist.
• Offers a detailed energy report: After using ecobee for 7-15 days, you can generate a detailed energy report. This report breaks down your energy usage by day, week, month, and year.
• Flexible scheduling: With ecobee, you can create a schedule that works for you and your family. You can also set different temperatures for different times and days of the week. Installation is quick and easy; you can install ecobee in about 30 minutes. All you need is a screwdriver and a drill.
• Compatible with smart home platforms: ecobee is compatible with Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.

ecobee Cons

• Some features require a subscription: While ecobee thermostats offer many functionalities, some of the more advanced features (like professional monitoring) require a subscription.
• The app sometimes slows down: Some users have reported that the ecobee app is slow to load or occasionally crashes.
• Some models lack smart sensors: While most ecobee thermostats come with smart sensors, some models (like the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced) do not include any smart sensors.

Read: How To Fix Ecobee Thermostat AC Blowing Cold Air Through Intake Vent?

Nest Pros

• Auto-schedule: Nest thermostats come with an auto-schedule feature. This feature uses sensors to figure out when people are home and away. Once it has enough data, it creates a schedule that saves you energy.
• Farsight: The Farsight feature on Nest thermostats shows the time, temperature, or weather on the Nest thermostat’s display when it detects you walk by.
• Leaf: The Leaf feature tells you when you’re saving energy. A green leaf appears on the Nest thermostat’s display when it detects you’re saving energy.

Nest Cons

• Temperature swing: Some users have reported that Nest thermostats can cause temperature swings (i.e., the temperature fluctuates more than it should).
• Use batteries: Nest thermostats use batteries that may need replacing every so often.
• High up-front cost: Nest thermostats are more expensive than other types of thermostats.
• Compatibility: Nest thermostats are not compatible with all heating and cooling systems.

Which Smart Thermostat Is Right for Me?

Now that you know the pros and cons of ecobee and Nest and their potential energy savings, you might wonder which thermostat is right for you. 

Here are a few things to consider:

ecobee and Nest Are Reliable Brands

Both ecobee and Nest are reliable brands. They offer quality products that have been thoroughly tested.

So if you’re looking for a smart thermostat that you can rely on, either ecobee or Nest would be a good choice. Just ensure that the model you choose is compatible with your heating and cooling system.

Read: Why Nest Thermostat Turns Off By Itself – Troubleshooting Guide

ecobee Offers More Features Than Nest

If you’re looking for a smart thermostat with more features, ecobee is the way to go.

While both Nest and ecobee offer energy-saving features, ecobee offers more features than Nest. For example, ecobee thermostats come with occupancy sensing and home/away assist. These features help to save even more energy.

Ecobee Saves More Energy Than Nest

If you’re looking for a smart thermostat that will help you save the most energy, ecobee is the better choice.

Remember that the steps you’ve taken to make your home more energy-efficient will significantly impact your energy usage. A smart thermostat is just one of the many tools you can use to save energy.

Extra Tip: Before choosing a smart thermostat, check with your utility company to see if you qualify for a rebate. Some utility companies offer rebates when you purchase a qualifying smart thermostat.

Read: Nest E24 Error – Troubleshooting Guide

Tips for Choosing a Smart Thermostat

Here are a few tips to help you choose the right smart thermostat for your home:

• Check compatibility: Smart thermostats aren’t compatible with all types of heating and cooling systems. Be sure to find out whether the model you’re considering is compatible with your system.
• Consider installation: Some smart thermostats require professional installation, while others can be installed by the homeowner. Consider whether you’re comfortable installing the thermostat yourself before making your purchase.
• Think about your needs: Do you need a smart thermostat with all the bells and whistles? Or would a more basic model suffice? Consider your needs before making your purchase.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! That’s everything you need to know about ecobee and Nest thermostats. In a nutshell, internal studies have shown that ecobee saves 26% on heating and cooling, while Nest saves 10-12% on heating and 15% on cooling.

That means you could save around $234 with an ecobee thermostat for over a year. Nest thermostats come in at a close second, with savings ranging from $131 to $145 annually. Remember, these are just estimates, so be sure to track your energy usage before and after installing your new thermostat.