Ecobee Unveils New Smart Thermostat Essential

Ecobee has announced the launch of its Smart Thermostat Essential, an affordable option priced at $129.99, which offers significant energy savings and ease of use. This new model features a full-color touchscreen and integrates with major smart home ecosystems like Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. The thermostat is designed to adapt to household routines, potentially saving up to 23% on annual heating and cooling costs, and includes app integration for remote management and energy reports. It can also be paired with optional SmartSensors for enhanced room-specific temperature control. The Essential model will replace the Ecobee3 Lite and is compatible with most HVAC systems, though it lacks support for HVAC accessories or multispeed fan systems. The device is set to be available from major retailers in March 2025, positioning itself as a competitor to the Google Nest Thermostat.