How to choose the best smart thermostat for your customer
For HVAC contractors, smart thermostats represent a valuable opportunity to increase revenue and enhance service offerings alongside system installations, replacements, and upgrades. While homeowners may be tempted to choose a thermostat on their own, selecting the right model requires an understanding of system compatibility, installation requirements, and the customer's comfort goals. By recommending and installing the right smart thermostat, contractors can help improve system performance, reduce callbacks, and increase customer satisfaction. Discover how to choose the best smart thermostat for your customers.
7 of the best smart thermostats
Smart thermostats have evolved far beyond basic remote-control schedules, offering brand-specific diagnostic and optimization tools. Dependent on system requirements, homeowner expectations, and installation considerations, these features make specific models ideal for precise installation criteria.
All available through Ferguson for HVAC professionals, evaluate these seven top-tier models to match the right solution to your job specs.
ecobee
When homeowners prioritize energy efficiency, ecobee stands out as a dependable choice. The models detailed below are ENERGY STAR® certified and utilize automated optimization features like eco+ to maximize seasonal efficiency.
Furthermore, the 5-year trade warranty is exclusively available when equipment is purchased and installed by a qualified HVAC contractor, giving your business a powerful closing tool to upsell professional installation packages directly to your clients.
ecobee Premium Smart Thermostat Pro with Voice Control
This one stands out for two big reasons: The ecobee Premium Smart Thermostat Pro with Voice Control integrates with voice assistants and connected home platforms, and it also has a built-in indoor air quality monitor.
The Pro with Voice measures volatile organic compounds (VOC) and equivalent carbon dioxide (eCO2) and provides HVAC professionals with additional system insight and supports IAQ upgrade conversations.
This option can help provide manufacturer-estimated savings of up to 26% on annual heating and cooling costs compared to a hold of 72°F. The ecobee Premium Smart Thermostat Pro with Voice Control also includes the SmartSensor, which allows your customer to manage cold or hot spots and prioritize comfort where they want it most.
With an LCD touchscreen display, this thermostat integrates with platforms that include Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings. It’s a 4H/2C staged and applications include humidifier and dehumidifier, electric, gas, oil and ventilator.
Finally, it supports 1-wire or 2-wire accessory control, and it includes a power extender kit (PEK), so you can install it without a C wire.
ecobee Enhanced Smart Thermostat Pro
If your customers aren’t interested in voice control or indoor air quality alerts, the ecobee Enhanced Smart Thermostat Pro is a solid option. This one doesn’t include the SmartSensor, but it can be purchased separately to add advanced home comfort control.
The enhanced model has the same large LCD touchscreen for easy navigation and setup, and it can also help your customers save up to an estimate of around 26% annually on heating and cooling costs compared to a hold of 72°F.
The ecobee Enhanced Smart Thermostat Pro supports 3H/2C and is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings. Unlike the Pro with Voice, this thermostat supports only 1-wire accessory control, but it does include the PEK to install without a C wire.
ecobee 3 Lite Pro Thermostat
Our final green ecobee option is the ecobee Lite Pro Thermostat. It monitors the system and sends alerts if it notices something is wrong. Your customers with an Apple Watch, Android or iOS device can also control temperature and settings from anywhere. This can also pair with the SmartSensor, although it’s not included in the purchase.
The 3 Lite Pro can deliver manufacturer-estimated annual heating and cooling savings of about 23% compared to a hold of 72°F, slightly lower than the other two options.
Your customers can integrate the 3 Lite Pro seamlessly with alarm.com, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT.
It supports 2H/2C and 4H/2C for electric, gas, oil and ventilator and is compatible with radiant heating systems, multistage and dual-fuel heat pumps, as well as 24V multispeed fan systems.
Google Nest
For customers who love the simplicity of the Google lineup, we recommend two options from Google Nest: the adaptive Learning Thermostat Pro and the streamlined, entry-level Google Nest Thermostat.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat Pro
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat Pro comes in stainless steel and is ENERGY STAR compliant. This option is programmable but also learns the temperatures you like uses adaptive scheduling to reduce manual programming. After about a week of use, the system programs itself into doing things like automatically turning down if it senses no one is home.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The Nest display activates when occupancy is detected, showing the time, temperature, and weather. This option also provides emergency alerts and emergency shutoffs.
Customers can check their energy history in the Nest app to explore how to reduce their energy costs. With their phone, laptop or tablet, they can control up to 20 thermostats and up to two separate locations from a single account.
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat supports 3H/2C systems.
Google Nest thermostat
Instead of being manually programmable, the Google Nest thermostat uses Auto-Schedule. This model uses automated scheduling to improve energy efficiency without manual programming.
Your customers can control and adjust temps from anywhere with the Google Home app. The thermostat will also send an alert if something doesn’t seem right with the heating and cooling system.
This 2H/1C or 1H/2C-compatible option is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant — making it an entry-level smart thermostat for straightforward systems.
Honeywell Home
Choose from two green models from Honeywell Home to meet your customers’ needs, one of which comes with room sensors for advanced comfort options.
Honeywell Home T10 Pro Smart Thermostat with RedLINK®
The Honeywell Home T10 Pro Smart Thermostat with RedLINK is an ENERGY STAR compliant choice designed for homes where contractors need room-level temperature prioritization.
The wireless RedLINK indoor room sensors detect temperature, humidity, and motion from up to 200 feet away, helping deliver zoning-like benefits by prioritizing occupied rooms and improving temperature balance throughout the home. These sensors can help reduce hot and cold spots while supporting more consistent comfort from room to room.
Plus, compatible Honeywell Home smart thermostats offer flexible scheduling options that contractors can configure based on homeowner routines and preferences.
The thermostat has a touchscreen, and your customers can use the Honeywell Home app or control it through Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. Flexible programming options include off, 7, 5-2, 5-1-1, and 1.
The T10 Pro Smart Thermostat can be used for humidification, dehumidification and ventilation and supports 3H/2C or 2H/2C. Geofencing is also available.
Honeywell Home T6 Pro Smart Thermostat
The Honeywell Home T6 Pro Smart Thermostat is similar to the T10, but it doesn’t come with RedLINK and has a larger touchscreen display, among other differences. It also supports geofencing and scheduled-based control configured by the contractor or adjusted by the homeowner, either on the unit or through the Lyric app.
The T6 Pro Smart is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.
Like the T10, the T6 supports 3H/2C heat pump or 2H/2C conventional. It uses the UWP mounting system to help streamline installations and replacements.
The Resideo Pro App further speeds setup by simplifying configuration and commissioning, helping contractors get systems up and running faster while reducing time spent on site.
How AI and remote connectivity are changing smart thermostats
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are playing an increasingly important role in modern HVAC controls. While not every smart thermostat uses advanced AI, many models now leverage algorithms to analyze temperature preferences, occupancy patterns, and system performance over time. For HVAC professionals, these capabilities deliver high-value operational advantages:
Real-time data
Thermostats continuously monitor their own operation and performance, sending automated alerts directly to the contractor remotely when anomalies occur.
Predictive maintenance
Advanced monitoring allows you to identify performance issues and catch potential system failures before they leave a customer without heating or cooling.
Remote diagnostics
Contractors can often connect remotely to review system logs or troubleshoot configurations without needing an immediate initial site visit.
These integrated features empower your business to shift toward a maintenance as a service (MaaS) model. By offering continuous remote oversight and add-on service opportunities, you can solve client problems proactively while generating predictable recurring revenue.
Find the best smart thermostat at Ferguson
Ferguson supports HVAC professionals with smart thermostat solutions, inventory availability, and expert branch support for residential and commercial applications. Explore our inventory online or visit your local Ferguson to secure the right smart thermostats for your next job.