Best Smart Home Service Providers: Compare Home Technology & Smart Thermostat
If you are looking to upgrade your home technology and cut down on energy costs, installing a smart thermostat through a smart home service provider is a savvy investment that pays off in more ways than one.
The idea is that smart AC is really easy to use, and has intelligent features so that we can cut down on DEWA (utility) cost on cooling our home. Best part? You can do pretty much everything from your phone.
In this guide, we’ll first take a closer look at some of the best smart home service providers specializing in smart AC and home technology.
And, for the second part, you will get some advice from a smart home service contractor to better understand the technical ins-and-outs of a smart thermostat.
Best Smart Home Service Providers for Nest Thermostat
We contacted a handful of smart home automation companies in Dubai to give you some insights to key areas like their quality of service and customer satisfaction, their pricing and their length of warranty.
To keep quotes comparable, we quoted for a “Google 3rd Gen” Nest thermostat installation for an apartment in Dubai Marina.
*Quote includes 1 “Google 3rd Gen” Nest Thermostat, 1 Compatibility Kit for Chiller HVAC System + Installation.
| Smart Home Service Contractors | Google Review* | Quote | Service Warranty | Product Warranty | After Warranty Site Visit | |
| 1 | HomeIQ | 4.7 82 Reviews) | Total AED 1295 + vat per unit | 6 Months | 1 Year | AED 250 |
| 2 | Sophisticave | 4.9 (91 Reviews) | Total AED 1500 + vat per unit | 1 Year | 1 Year | AED 250 |
| 3 | HomeIQ | 4.7 (82 Reviews) | Total AED 1295 + vat per unit | 6 Months | 1 Year | AED 250 |
| 4 | Save Your Home | 18 (4.3 Reviews) | Total AED 1150 + vat per unit | 3 Months | 1 Year | AED 250 |
| 5 | Upkeep | 4.8 (65 Reviews) | Total AED 1350 + vat per unit | 3 Months | 1 Year | AED 275 |
Why Warranty is Important?
Having a warranty is like having a safety net for your investment.
It gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re covered financially if anything goes wrong, and also reflects on the overall value and reliability of the smart home automation companies.
Plus, it signals that the manufacturer and smart home service contractor stand behind their product and services and are committed to ensuring they clients are happy.
Smart Thermostat – Let’s Ask An Expert
If you google around, you will notice names like Google Nest and Ecobee popping up again and again, and plenty of articles on home technology to compare them.
But, which ones are available in Dubai? And, can we DIY it or is it wiser to find a professional to do it for us?
We spoke with Tanveer Anwar from Upkeep to better understand what’s available in Dubai, and what to consider before buying one.
1. Smart Thermostat – Most Installed Brand?
We mostly install Nest thermostat and Ecobee, some clients do ask for Honeywell thermostat.
All these brands are compatible with UAE spec system but each brand has different requirements and cost.
We have WIFI database for each community in Dubai and can verify system compatibility within 15-30 minutes.
Smart Thermostat – Amazon.ae (Prices)
| Brand | Price Range | |
| Google Nest 3rd Gen | AED 684 | https://amzn.to/45tT7MQ |
| Google Nest 4th Gen | AED 375 | https://amzn.to/3L0U8Ur |
| Ecobee 6 Premium | AED 887 | https://amzn.to/3YWc4VX |
| Ecobee 6 Enhanced | AED 738 | https://amzn.to/3sugyav |
| Ecobee 3 Lite 2nd Gen | AED 499 | https://amzn.to/44ogiqN |
| Honeywell Smart T9 | AED 922 | https://amzn.to/3sw1okU |
2. Nest Thermostat: Nest Gen 3 vs Nest Gen 4
What’s the difference?
Between Nest Gen 3 or Nest Gen 4, we get less complains on Nest Gen 4 as Nest Gen 3 has issues from time to time.
Here is quick breakdown:
| Nest Gen 3 | Nest Gen 4 |
| – 3 Fan Mode – More expensive – Auto Scheduling – Solid steel with a more luxurious look – Need skills nest technicians to replace – Has wifi and battery issues from time to time | – 1 Fan Mode – Cheaper – Setup Manually – Good look with recycle plastic material – Use AAA batteries – Can easily be replaced by client – More stable based on past experience |
3. Smart Thermostat: Nest vs Ecobee?
What are the difference?
Almost both are similar in terms of home technology features, but Ecobee’s latest premium version 6 has an air quality sensor.
Between Next Gen and Ecobee, we get less complains on Ecobee as Google Nest has issue from time to time.
4. Do we really save on DEWA?
Yes, Nest or any smart thermostat can help save energy via auto scheduling.
Smart sensors can detect if someone is around, and if no one is around, it turns off automatically. The app also has data reporting to help you understand your energy uses.
5. Can we can buy online ourselves?
You can buy online if you wish, but we recommend buying it through smart home automation companies to avoid warranty issues. After-sale service is just as important.
6. Do we really need a technician or can we install it ourselves?
The truth is, manufacturers like Nest have made installing a smart thermostat easy that anyone can do it – even if you have little experience with any kind of wiring.
If you feel confident to give it a go, here is a guide to install it yourself.
If installing seems complicated and intimidating, go for a professional smart thermostat installer, not just any freelance HVAC technician, as bad installation can cause more issue and damage to your HVAC system. It may not help save energy.
7. What if our Wifi is down, can we still control our AC manually?
Yes, you can still control it manually just like using any normal thermostats. Internet is required only if you want to control via the app remotely.
8. When is the best time to install… during or after renovation?
If you are renovating, best to install before you close off the ceiling so that your contractor can prioritize any re-wiring or civil work.
9. What are your clients’ feedback after they installed smart thermostats?
We have been installing Nest thermostat and Ecobee for the past 7 years, and never received any negative feedback. Most clients are happy with their upgrade. I don’t think any client will go back to manual once they have a taste of smart thermostats.
We also get feedback from clients that the nest’s sensor uses accurate timing for fan and cooling which really help reduces high humidity.
10. I live in a rental. Can we move our smart thermostats if we move?
Yes, you can move it to your new home.
It’s advisable to have a smart home service contractor manage the re-installation of your smart thermostat so that you receive support after the setup.
