Is a smart thermostat truly useful, or is it just another tech accessory? At AirGreen, we get this question a lot during our heating system installations in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, as well as on the North Shore and South Shore. At a time when energy efficiency is becoming a top priority for Quebec households, the smart thermostat is increasingly emerging as a key tool to optimize heating management, cut energy costs, and improve day-to-day comfort. But it's important to fully understand how it works, what it really brings to the table, and in what context its installation makes sense.
Understanding the thermostat’s central role in a heating system
Whether mechanical, programmable, or smart, a thermostat has one fundamental purpose: regulating indoor temperature by controlling the operation of the heating system. However, smart thermostats go far beyond that: they’re designed to learn your habits, anticipate your needs, adapt to your lifestyle, and maximize your home’s energy efficiency.
Key features of modern smart thermostats
The most popular models on the market, like Ecobee, Nest, or Honeywell Home thermostats, offer features that make a real difference:
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Automatic scheduling based on occupancy
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Remote control via mobile app (iOS, Android)
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Real-time energy consumption tracking
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Integration with voice assistants (Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri)
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Presence detection and geolocation to anticipate absences and returns
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Remote software updates to improve performance
With these tools, it becomes possible to avoid heating empty spaces and to prepare a comfortable temperature just before your arrival, all automatically.
Measurable savings on your heating bill
According to several independent studies and direct feedback from our customers, installing a smart thermostat helps reduce heating bills by an average of 10% to 20%. In areas like Montréal or Laval, where winters are long and harsh, these savings can easily amount to hundreds of dollars a year.
At AirGreen, we’ve installed smart thermostats in single-family homes in Longueuil, multi-units on the North Shore, and even in small businesses on the South Shore, always as part of broader CVAC optimization projects. The results speak for themselves: not only do clients see a drop in their bills, but they love the increased comfort, ease of use, and peace of mind that comes with this type of solution.
AirGreen Case Study: Successful smart thermostat integration in Laval
In a recent project carried out in a Laval home, our team installed a central electric heating system with a Fujitsu central heat pump, paired with a Premium Ecobee smart thermostat. The client's goals were clear: improve comfort in colder areas of the house, cut down on energy use, and gain remote control over the system.
Here’s how we approached it:
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Complete analysis of the home’s thermal behavior
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Replacement of the old programmable thermostat with a connected smart model
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Integration with the heat pump via central CVAC interface
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Setup of personalized routines for each zone in the house
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Quick training on how to use the mobile app
The outcome: an 18% reduction in heating costs during the first winter, better heat distribution, and a happy customer able to control the temperature in every room from their phone.
Professional installation: a critical step
It’s important to stress that to fully benefit from a smart thermostat, installation must be handled by skilled CVAC technicians. At AirGreen, we ensure that every thermostat is perfectly integrated into the existing heating system, whether it's a wall-mounted heat pump, a central heat pump, an electric furnace, or a hybrid system.
We also make sure to consider:
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Compatibility with the existing CVAC system
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Required wiring (C-wire or adapters)
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Optimal thermostat placement
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Balancing heating zones
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Wi-Fi setup and personalized scenario configuration
Government grants available in Québec for energy upgrades
As part of the energy transition promoted by Hydro-Québec and the LogisVert program, smart thermostat installations can qualify for subsidies, especially when they are part of a larger energy-efficient upgrade like switching to a central heat pump or a dual-energy system. AirGreen supports you through the entire administrative process to get all available financial aid, whether you're located on the South Shore, in Montréal, or in Laval.
An ideal tool for property managers
Beyond residential use, we also recommend smart thermostats for rental buildings, offices, or commercial spaces. For instance, we equipped a multi-unit property in Longueuil with smart thermostats remotely controlled by the property manager. This made it possible to:
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Prevent excessive heating in vacant units
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Receive alerts in case of temperature anomalies
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Automatically schedule seasonal routines
The result: better overall energy management and reduced heating system maintenance costs.
Conclusion: gadget or true energy performance tool?
At AirGreen, we believe the smart thermostat is far more than just a gadget. It’s a strategic tool that, when properly chosen, installed, and configured, allows you to cut heating costs, enhance comfort, and optimize the energy performance of any CVAC system. It’s a smart investment for any homeowner or property manager looking to improve the thermal management of their building, whether located in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, or the South Shore.
We invite you to contact us for a personalized analysis of your current system. Together, we’ll determine the solution that best suits your needs and the Québec climate realities.