Skip to main content

Google testing smart thermostat service, reportedly called EnergySense

After abandoning a similar project several years ago, Google is reportedly once again interested in looking at how it might help consumers use energy around the home more efficiently.

According to The Information, which spoke to people familiar with the matter, Google is currently running a program called EnergySense involving the testing of Internet-connected home thermostats by a team of so-called ‘trusted testers’, in other words, non-Google employees.

Recommended Videos

The hardware for Google’s project is reportedly made by energy solutions outfit Ecobee, although its CEO, Stuart Lombard, says his firm has no official arrangement with the Mountain View company. However, he added Google could still be using his firm’s hardware for the EnergySense program.

It’s believed that Google’s intention isn’t to go head-to-head with the likes of Nest, a company which already produces a smart thermostat and in which Google Ventures has a heavy investment, but rather create applications and offer services in connection with collated data.

For some of you, this will all sound rather familiar, as a few years ago Google was indeed dabbling in a similar space with its PowerMeter tool.

The application was designed to work with smart power meters to allow homeowners to track energy use in their home over time, with the idea that such monitoring would lead to more efficient consumption and in turn, lower utility bills. Google said at the time that when people have access to information about energy use in their home, they’re able to change their habits, helping them to reduce energy use by around 15 percent on average. However, Google pulled the plug on the tool in September 2011.

Of course, Google has a ton of ideas and projects in the works at any one time, so who knows if this one will see the light of day as far as consumers are concerned, or if it’ll simply fall by the wayside. The fact that it appears to be returning to an area it looked at several years ago, however, suggests Google is keen on taking the idea all the way this time around.

[The Information via engadget] [Image: Tom Grundy / Shutterstock]

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs. Nest Thermostat: Which smart thermostat is better?
Four Nest Learning Thermostats in a line.

The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) is the latest iteration of Google's premium smart thermostat, offering a bold new design and a wealth of new functionality. It carries a hefty price tag -- and depending on your needs, the more affordable Nest Thermostat might be the wiser option. But what exactly is the difference between the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and Nest Thermostat?

From pricing and available colors to features and design, here's everything you need to know before making a purchase. And be sure to read our full fourth-generation Nest Thermostat review.
Pricing and design

Read more
Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs. Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
The Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen on a wall.

If you’re searching for the fanciest thermostats on the market, you’ve probably discovered the new Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium. These two gadgets make it easy to keep your home comfortable at all times of year while also helping you save money on your monthly bills.

But is one of these thermostats a smarter choice than the other? Here’s a comparison of the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium to help you decide.
Pricing and design

Read more
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium vs. Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced: Which is better?
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

Few smart thermostats are as well-rounded as the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium. Packed full of useful sensors and automations, it can save you a bunch of cash over the years while still keeping your home cool and comfortable. Ecobee also sells the Smart Thermostat Enhanced, which gets you some of the same functionality but clocks in at a more reasonable price.

That begs the question -- do you need the Smart Thermostat Premium, or can you get by with the cheaper Smart Thermostat Enhanced? From pricing and design to installation and more, here's everything you need to know about these two popular smart thermostats.
Pricing and design

Read more