Key Points
- Smart thermostats with voice control offer convenience and energy-saving benefits, making them a popular choice for many homeowners.
- Voice-controlled thermostats may have security risks, compatibility issues, and unreliable voice recognition, leading to inconsistent control over temperature settings.
- Alternatives to smart thermostats with voice control include smart thermostats without voice control, programmable thermostats, and traditional manual thermostats.
Smart thermostats with voice control continue to grow in popularity since they’re simple to use and help you control heating and cooling costs. The ease of speaking a command and having your HVAC system make an adjustment makes more users want to install these controllers.
However, they do have some drawbacks, as any technology does. Let’s explore reasons to avoid a new smart thermostat with voice control and review some alternatives. But first, some background details to keep you informed.
Some Background on Smart Thermostats with Voice Control
These thermostats are relatively new to the market. However, Nest Learning Thermostats were the first smart thermostats, having come out around 2011. They would learn your household’s heating and cooling preferences in about a week.
Learning thermostats would then keep your home comfortable, directing your focus to more important things (like what to cook for dinner!) than remembering to turn the heat down at night.
You’ll find a range of smart thermostats on the market today, with or without voice control. It’s never been easier to save on your home’s energy costs while keeping it at a comfortable temperature.
Some of these smart thermostats learn your habits, while others let you adjust house temperature through apps on a smartphone or tablet. And, of course, you can still purchase a traditional, manual thermostat for those who prefer old-school simplicity.
Reasons to Avoid Getting a Smart Thermostat with Voice Control
While smart thermostats with voice control offer convenience and energy-saving benefits, you may want to avoid using them for several reasons. Here are six of them.
1. Privacy Concerns
These thermostats often rely on voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. And, for many people, that connectivity raises privacy concerns. Worrying over personal privacy is the most significant complaint about any smart device with microphones and speakers.
They constantly listen for voice commands, which means they are potentially collecting and storing your conversations. Realistically, there are too many device-overheard conversations for a human to listen in on a single one.
But if you’re uncomfortable with the system recording and potentially analyzing your discussions, you should avoid using a smart thermostat with voice control.
2. Security Risks
- Auto-Schedule (learns from you and programs itself)
- Home/ Away Assist
- High-resolution display with Farsight
- Saves your energy history for quick reference
Any internet-connected device has some inherent security risks. Smart thermostats with voice control could be vulnerable to hacking or unauthorized access, potentially allowing someone to control your thermostat or gain access to your home network.
Again, while getting hacked is unlikely, especially with home network security options, you may feel more comfortable with a traditional thermostat over a voice-controlled one.
3. Compatibility Issues
Smart thermostats with voice control may require compatibility with specific platforms or ecosystems within your home. So, if you already have a different voice assistant or smart home ecosystem, it could be challenging to integrate the new thermostat seamlessly. These compatibility issues could result in less functionality or not using your preferred voice assistant.
4. Unreliable Voice Recognition
Voice recognition technology sometimes has limitations, like struggling to understand voice commands accurately. And that could lead to frustration or inconsistent control over temperature settings. So, for a more reliable and consistent user experience, it is better to stick with a traditional thermostat.
5. Limited Voice Control Functionality
Voice control is super convenient for basic tasks like adjusting the temperature or turning the thermostat on and off. However, it may have limited functionality compared to manual control through a dedicated app or physical buttons on a wall controller.
In addition, some advanced features or settings may not be accessible or controllable through voice commands alone. As a result, voice control may not be sufficient for fine-tuning and accessing all of your thermostat’s features.
6. Price Considerations
Smart thermostats with voice control tend to cost more than their non-voice-controlled counterparts. So, if you have a tight budget or don’t see the added value in voice control, opting for a standard smart thermostat without voice control could prove more cost-effective.
Alternatives
Here are some excellent alternatives if you want to avoid a new smart thermostat with voice control.
1. Smart Thermostat without Voice Control
Smart thermostats like Google Nest offer the best of both worlds. They help you save on energy costs without their built-in speaker or microphone. However, since the Nest is compatible with Google Home ecosystems, you can combine it with an Alexa voice-controlled product if you choose to.
- HVAC monitoring (looks out for your heating and cooling systems)
- Lets you create an energy-efficient schedule
- Designed to work without a C wire in most homes
- Turns itself down when you leave
That confidence in choosing to either use or not use voice control allows homeowners to make the right choice for themselves. So, if you’re on the fence about purchasing or avoiding a new smart thermostat with voice control, check out Google Nest.
Another excellent choice for a smart thermostat without voice control is Emerson’s Sensi Touch. Again, you can add an Alexa-compatible device down the road, but this system does not contain a microphone or speaker.
- Illuminated, easy-click terminals
- ENERGY STAR-certified
- Monitors the performance and efficiency of your HVAC system
Emerson is one of the top brands in home heating and cooling systems. And they use their many years of experience interacting with homeowners to create a top-rate interactive, smart thermostat. Additionally, it is reasonably priced, so you’ll recoup its cost through energy savings quicker.
2. Programmable Thermostat
More traditional thermostat choices include programmable ones. While they don’t have all the smart technology of some thermostats, many users like these controllers better. They offer a seven-day programmable schedule for adjusting your home’s temperatures.
- Compressor protection feature
- Separate B & O terminals
- Air filter change indicator
- Room temperature calibration adjustment
Easily choose the times to keep your home at the desired comfort range while not paying for heating or cooling while away. You can use programmable thermostats with compatible gas, electric, or oil furnaces. Just check it against your home’s system first.
- Five preset display color theme options
- Auto-scheduling feature
- Dual-voltage 120/240 VAC with built-in GFCI for safety
- SmartStart technology automatically adjusts the start time of the floor warming system
And you can even get programmable thermostats for your heated floors. So, your toes stay warm, hopping in and out of the shower!
3. Manual Thermostat
To avoid a new smart thermostat with voice control, try replacing your system controller with a traditional manual thermostat. The cost of manual thermostats is generally much less than the price of a smart one. The lower upfront cost appeals to many homeowners.
Additionally, manually-operated thermostats are simple to operate without requiring much technical know-how. Choose a dial or digital temperature setting for an easy way to control your home’s comfort.
- Mercury-free
- Can control both heating and cooling
- 120 volts
- Ring controller type
Furthermore, one of the main reasons users avoid a smart thermostat with voice control and choose a manual one is that they don’t connect to the internet. So, you don’t have to worry about software updates. And manual thermostats still function correctly after power or network outages.
Wrapping Up
Ultimately, whether or not you use or avoid a smart thermostat with voice control depends on your preferences and priorities. Privacy, security, compatibility, user experience, and cost all influence purchasing decisions. Alternative options include manual, programmable, or smart thermostats (without voice control).
Summary Table
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Privacy Concerns | Smart thermostats with voice control may collect and store conversations, raising privacy concerns. |
| 2. Security Risks | Internet-connected devices, including smart thermostats, could be vulnerable to hacking or unauthorized access. |
| 3. Compatibility Issues | Smart thermostats may require compatibility with specific platforms or ecosystems, causing integration challenges. |
| 4. Unreliable Voice Recognition | Voice recognition technology may struggle to understand commands accurately, leading to inconsistent control. |
| 5. Limited Voice Control Functionality | Voice control may not provide access to all thermostat features or settings, limiting its usefulness. |
| 6. Price Considerations | Smart thermostats with voice control tend to be more expensive than non-voice-controlled alternatives. |
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