Popular smart thermostats like Nest and ecobee work well with single-stage and basic multi-stage heat pumps, but they don't support advanced communicating heat pumps that use proprietary protocols. Because these thermostats can only send simple stage commands (like "stage 1 on" or "stage 2 on"), they can't unlock the full potential of variable-capacity systems that adjust their output continuously.
Communicating heat pumps can modulate their heating output precisely based on real-time conditions, providing superior comfort and efficiency. To access these capabilities, you need the manufacturer's proprietary thermostat.
The good news is that manufacturers' proprietary thermostats have improved dramatically in recent years. Many now offer advanced home integration and voice controls. While you might sacrifice some UI polish compared to Nest or ecobee, you gain significantly better system performance and efficiency.
If you're investing in a high-efficiency variable-capacity heat pump, the manufacturer thermostat is worth serious consideration. Simple 24V thermostats like Nest and ecobee offer a low-risk, easy-to-use alternative.
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