Well worth the buy, especially if you don’t want the Alexa integration. We have 2, one for each zone, and the sensors plus scheduling make this an almost effortless endeavor.
I have an ecobee 3 and the alexa integration works fine.
And don’t forget to check with your local gas/electric companies. They may offer rebates on purchased thermostats or may have deals on them ordered through their web sites. It’s worth the time to check…
By all means check with your utility for rebates. I got $50 from my electric provider when I bought an Ecobee 3 a few years ago. (It’s great thermostat and I love it.)
About a year after installation my utility contacted me about a program they had that would let them dial back my Ecobee during when needed during “peak demand periods.” I live in Arizona and the last thing I need is having my AC cut off during a 115 degree day! Even though they offered me the princely sum of $10 to sign up, it did not sound like a wise thing to do.
Just a warning to read the fine print!
I think they’re saying that it works even if you disable the Alexa integration.
Personally, I don’t trust that anything with Alexa in it is every truly “off” and wish manufacturers would stop building this in.
I hate mine with a passion and have already acquired a replacement nest. The Alexa features are neutered at best and the speaker is garbage. Avoid this.
I live in San Antonio and have an Ecobee. I signed up with the utility company here to allow them to scale back during peak seasons. They do not turn the unit off but rather set it at either 82 or 85 degrees. It has happened a few times in the past year and although it is a bit warm, it is not unbearable. They gave a one time credit of $85 and an annual credit of $30.
This unit does NOT have Alexa built in (Ecobee makes a different unit that does have Alexa built in, with a speaker, etc.). It does connect with Alexa or Google Home or Homekit through the cloud if you want so that if you do have Alexa or Google Home or Homekit you can control it through those. That is totally optional, however.
This model does not have a speaker or Alexa built in, it simply can connect with the services (Alexa, Google Home, etc.) through the cloud. I’ve had an Ecobee 3 Lite for over 3 years, with 2 sensors, and it works great. We love it and wouldn’t have anything else.
There is no speaker. It is compatible with Alexa, but you need an Echo device or phone/tablet to control it.
I may have overstated when I said the utility would shut off my AC in Arizona, but the agreement is silent on what amount they could setback my Ecobee. I don’t like the idea of giving them carte blanche to do whatever they want.
That being said, had I been offered an $85 credit and an annual credit too, I would would have more seriously considered it.