4 smart thermostats that save money and energy

Whether you power your home with electricity, heating oil, gas, solar power, geothermal energy, or some other source, the energy you use to heat and cool your home is undoubtedly a huge part of your household budget.

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The Nest thermostat.

One of the best ways to do that is by using a programmable or smart thermostat, which raises and lowers the temperature in the house according to your activities. Going out for the day? The thermostat raises (or lowers) the temperature, using less energy while you're gone. Some models even adjust to account for variable rates from energy companies that charge more during peak usage times.

Is it time to trade in your old-fashioned thermostat for a newer model? Check out these options to see if one of them is right for you.

1. The Nest

The Nest is one of the darlings of the thermostat world (if there is such a thing). It was a big hit at CES 2012, where our own Ashley Esqueda was able to see what all the fuss is about. The big deal about this particular thermostat, which sells for $249, is that after about a week of use, the device actually learns your habits. It then creates a program to meet your energy needs in the most efficient way possible. You can also control it from your smartphone or Web browser, even when you're not at home.

But the Nest isn't simply a thermostat that monitors and adjusts the temperature. It also measures things such as ambient light, humidity, and motion, ultimately using any information it gleans to fine-tune its program. If it detects that you're not home on, say, a Sunday afternoon, it adjusts accordingly, even if the standard program dictates otherwise. If you have multiple Nest units in your home, they will communicate via Wi-Fi to coordinate schedules for the different parts of your house.

While some reviewers have complained that the Nest isn't actually very good at learning schedules, especially complex ones, most agree that it generally does what it sets out to do. The design is sleek, inside and out, and the ability to control your thermostat from anywhere is a definite plus. If you find that you'd prefer to set the Nest's schedule yourself, you can simply pause the learning mode and do so.

2. Smart Thermostat from Ecobee

Canadian company Ecobee's Smart Thermostat is similar in functionality to the Nest. Since it's Wi-Fi-enabled, you can control it from any Web browser or your smartphone. The LCD touchscreen interface includes programming functions, an energy conservation mode, and even five-day weather forecasts.

The major downside of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat is cost and an intimidating installation procedure. Unlike the Nest, which can be installed by just about anyone, the Smart Thermostat generally requires installation by a professional. This is because it actually has two parts: the equipment interface, which connects directly to your furnace, humidifier, dehumidifier, ventilator, and any other environmental control units you have, and the thermostat itself, which replaces your current thermostat unit.

You can install this device on your own if you want, as long as you're not afraid of messing about with wiring. Ecobee recommends having a pro do the installation. The Smart Thermostat itself retails for about $469, and installation generally requires at least a couple of hours of labor. Most reviewers agree, however, that the Smart Thermostat is well worth the cost.

3. Homewerks Radio Wireless Thermostat with Wi-Fi

If you're looking for a smart thermostat without a lot of expensive bells and whistles, the Homewerks Radio Wireless Thermostat with Wi-Fi Module offers an affordable alternative, retailing for around $100. As with the more expensive Ecobee Smart Thermostat, you can control the Homewerks thermostat from your smartphone. Adjust the temperature from anywhere — set it from the road so that you arrive home to a nice warm (or cool) house, or turn your heating or cooling devices off to save money while you're not there.

The device has a seven-day programmable mode and a fan-only mode. It also offers two different stages of both warming and cooling, all of which you can adjust as necessary from the thermostat itself or from the app. The Radio Thermostat can be installed by just about anyone, without the need to hire a professional.

4. Honeywell Prestige 2.0 Comfort System

Honeywell is currently in the midst of a patent infringement lawsuit against the Nest for the concept of the learning thermostat (among other things). While only time will tell how that shakes out, Honeywell does certainly have some good options available. Like the Ecobee Smart Thermostat, the Prestige 2.0 Comfort System should be installed by a professional. It offers "interview-based programming" that asks you questions about your usage habits and programs the device to best take advantage of those habits.

The Honeywell Prestige lets you monitor and control your system remotely using your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Depending on your system, you can adjust indoor temperature and humidity, as well as view outdoor temperature and humidity. Check out Honeywell's locator to find the nearest professional who can install the thermostat in your home.

Stay cool and go green

According to the government's Energy Star program, households that use a programmable thermostat can save about $180 a year on their energy bill. These smart thermostats make it even easier to keep your house comfortable, allowing you to adjust your settings even when you're not at home. No matter what your budget may be, a smart thermostat is a smart way to do your part to reduce energy consumption!

This story originally appeared on Tecca.

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Japan's 'Super Cool Biz' Concept Saves Energy After Quake (ContributorNetwork)

TOKYO -- Since the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in northern Japan in March, the power industry in Japan has taken huge hits as the levels of available electricity has plummeted in Tokyo, the country's largest city.

The disasters have critically disabled the country's nuclear power plants, many of which have been taken off line for inspection or repair. That leaves a critical power shortage in the northern and eastern parts of the country, where the government has both requested and mandated power-saving measures that have already gone into effect all over. Even the relatively unaffected areas of southern and western Japan are helping by conserving.

The official word for this special electricity cutback is setsuden, which means saving power. This is not just regular conservation, however; this is a country pitching in to help each other recover from the recent trials and tribulations of life.

The Japanese government has mandated that companies reduce their overall energy consumption by at least 10 percent.

Even in the warm summer months, this means that in most offices, the thermostat is set at 28 degrees Celsius, or 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Air conditioning uses a massive amount of electricity, and it is a concrete area in which companies can save.

In past summers, to mildly conserve energy, companies instituted the concept of "Cool Biz," meaning that employees of private companies and government offices can dress down, forgoing the normal attire of shirts, ties and jackets for plain, short-sleeved shirts, thus making everyone comfortable in the higher office temperatures.

This summer, the government has instituted "Super Cool Biz," and it encouraged even higher office temps along with suggesting polo shirts and sandals, going so far as to allow printed Hawaiian shirts as proper office attire. This is quite a change from the normal, buttoned-up black suits of normal Japanese businessmen. In addition, many retail outlets are reducing the lighting in their stores and even convenience stores are reducing the number of refrigerated cases for drinks. All over the city, buildings with more than one elevator are turning off one car in order to encourage energy savings. Signs proclaiming the health benefits of taking the stairs have cropped up everywhere.

In addition to saving energy at the office, the Japanese people are going out of their way to conserve energy at home. In a country where most women run a load of laundry every day, people have changed their washing habits to allow for fuller loads when they launder. In addition to turning up their air conditioning at home, citizens are using remote controls less often, unplugging unused appliances and turning off unnecessary lights.

One of the biggest concessions the Japanese people have made at home is in the bathroom, however. Toilets have become luxury items in recent years, performing a myriad of washing functions in addition to having heated seats. But now people are making the ultimate sacrifice of turning off or unplugging these extraneous functions, all in the name of saving energy.

Japan is a nation made up of stoic, community-minded people. They go about their daily lives and do all of these energy saving measures for the good of the country as a whole. Their attitude and fortitude is to be admired. Far beyond the current crisis, the extreme green practices of Japan could be emulated by other developed nations.

Aimee Weinstein is an American freelance writer who lives in Japan.

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