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A smart thermostat can cut heating and cooling costs by more than 8 percent, or about $50 a year on average, according to ENERGY STAR. With heating season starting, this guide covers what that saving depends on and which models Consumer Reports has cited, with the prices it listed.
Affiliate disclosure: some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you buy through one, The Jolt Journal may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The models below come from Consumer Reports’ published buying guide, and no brand or retailer paid for a spot. Those prices date from the guide’s March 2025 update, so check the current price before you buy.
What a smart thermostat can save
The U.S. government’s ENERGY STAR program puts heating and cooling at almost half of a typical household’s annual energy bill, which it says is more than $900 a year. On its smart thermostat page, the program says certified models save about $50 a year for the average family and up to $100 a year for homes with high heating and cooling bills. Savings are larger when a home sits empty for much of the day. Homes that heat with oil feel price swings most, and our report on Brent crude’s move above $110 covers the latest one.
Consumer Reports adds a caution that applies to every model. In its thermostat buying guide, the group says a thermostat saves money only when you set it to use less energy, either by hand or on a schedule. A smart thermostat that sits at 72 degrees all day saves nothing.
The arithmetic is simple. At $50 a year, a $75 model takes about a year and a half to pay for itself, and a $130 model takes about two and a half years. That estimate ignores installation and utility rebates, which ENERGY STAR says some partners offer through its rebate finder.
Smart thermostat models Consumer Reports cited
Consumer Reports does not rank models in this guide. It names examples at different prices, so treat the list as a starting point.
The Wyze smart thermostat was about $75, the lowest price among the examples. The Honeywell Home model the guide previewed was listed at $80. The Google Nest Thermostat, a 2020 model, was about $100, and the guide previewed a new ecobee model at $130.
Brand price ranges give a wider view. Consumer Reports lists Honeywell Home at $20 to $250, Google Nest at $130 to $250, and ecobee at $150 to $250. Lux runs $18 to $150, and Venstar $75 to $220.
Check these smart thermostat requirements first
Compatibility is where many installs fail. Consumer Reports says not every smart thermostat supports every heating and cooling system. For example, the guide says the Nest Thermostat does not support ventilation systems, but the pricier Nest Learning Thermostat does. Homes with separate heating and cooling systems may need a thermostat for each one.
Then check the wiring. Newer models often need a common wire, or C-wire, which supplies continuous power. If your wall has none, Consumer Reports lists four options: choose a model that ships with a power adapter, add a third-party adapter, pick a model that says it needs none, or hire a professional to run a C-wire. The group notes that some HVAC professionals warn that one maker’s battery workaround could damage a system.
Ductless systems, window units, and mini splits need a different device, such as a smart AC controller. Those work only with units that have an infrared remote.
Editor’s take
A smart thermostat is a modest saver, not a fix for a big winter bill. If your current thermostat is not programmable, a $75 model pays back fastest, provided your wiring allows it. Check compatibility before you order, and set a schedule the day you install it. Clocks go back on Nov. 1, so use our daylight saving time checklist to confirm that schedules update.
