How Much Does Smart Thermostat Installation Cost in 2025?

Average Smart Thermostat Installation Cost

Smart Thermostat Installation Cost Factors

The two main factors that influence how much your smart thermostat installation costs are the price of the smart thermostat unit itself and the cost of labor to install it.

Materials

The smart thermostat unit costs anywhere from $70 to $800, depending on the features you’re looking for and the brand. 

If your current thermostat isn’t a smart one, it may not have a C-wire, otherwise known as a common wire. You typically need one to properly wire a smart thermostat unless the unit you choose has an adapter to address the lack of a C-wire. Installing a C-wire adds $50 to $100 per hour extra to the total thermostat installation costs.

Brand

There are many popular brands and types of smart thermostats, each with a range of models to choose from. For example, the cost to install a Nest thermostat may be as low as $225, including materials and labor. These brands may be sold at a large electronics or hardware store, or they may only be available through security system providers or direct contractors.

“You can also check with your utility company to obtain a smart thermostat. They may offer rebates and incentives for an even lower price compared to purchasing directly from a store,” says Salvatore Cutrona, owner of Cutrona Electric, LLC, in Sherman, CT. 

Voltage

Most smart thermostats are compatible with low-voltage HVAC systems. These 24-volt systems are sometimes called central heat or central air, consisting of a single large furnace and one thermostat that controls the temperature throughout your home. If you remove your existing thermostat from the wall, you’ll see thinner, 18-gauge multicolored wiring. 

Other homes may use a line voltage HVAC system with a 120-volt or 240-volt connection. If each room has its own thermostat or your home has radiant heating, you may have line voltage, which is typically incompatible with a smart thermostat. Line voltage systems use thicker, 10- to 14-gauge wiring. 

Labor

Simple smart thermostat installations may take as little as 30 minutes, while more complex installations may take up to two hours or more, depending on your unique circumstances. Most technicians have a minimum service call fee, equivalent to at least one hour of labor. 

Several different types of pro thermostat installers in your area can complete this job. However, local municipalities almost always require a licensed electrician to complete a thermostat installation. Regardless of who you hire, consult a local electrician to sign off on the final installation.

• Licensed electricians cost $50–$125 per hour

• HVAC technicians cost $50–$150 per hour

• Handypeople cost $60–$125 per hour

Smart Thermostat Installation Costs by Feature

Many smart thermostats offer a variety of intelligent features, like remote control and energy use tracking from a smartphone app. These may help to identify potential HVAC issues early to avoid higher furnace repair costs. Smart thermostats may also come with other sophisticated features, which can add to the cost of the unit. 

Voice Assistant

While any thermostat that connects to Wi-Fi or a cellular network for remote activation falls under the category of smart, some may be compatible with a voice assistant like Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, or Google Assistant.

Rather than pulling out your phone, if you have a smart home hub or assistant in the room, you’re able to speak to the assistant to control the smart thermostat. You can command the assistant to set the heat to a certain temperature or turn off the A/C fan because it’s too chilly.

Some smart thermostats also double as voice-assistant devices with built-in microphones and speakers. This lets you control other smart home devices directly from the smart thermostat. Opting for a smart thermostat with a voice assistant raises the price to $50 to $100.

Activity Sensors

Certain smart thermostat units come with a smart sensor to install on doors, windows, or in rooms. These sensors detect if a door or window is open or if there’s motion activity in the room. If it detects something open, the sensor sends a command to turn off the HVAC in this room to save energy. Smart thermostat packages with smart sensors increase the price by around $40 to $100 for each sensor.

Speakers

Smart thermostats may also have the niche but luxury feature of doubling as a smart speaker. This may allow you to stream music or the audio from a video to the device for you to listen. If you need tunes in the library or want to set the mood for a romantic dinner, keep the speaker hidden by opting for this feature on a smart thermostat. Expect to pay $35 to $75 extra for this feature.

Does Installing a Smart Thermostat Increase Home Value?

Smart thermostats may seem like a trendy tech upgrade. However, they’re a strategic home improvement that can significantly boost your comfort and convenience and improve your property’s marketability. Potential buyers are increasingly attracted to homes with energy-efficient and smart technologies that promise to lower utility bills and enhance home automation.

You’ll start seeing a return on investment with energy savings even if you don’t list your home for sale immediately. The ability to remotely monitor and control your home’s heating and cooling and optimize your HVAC system for ideal comfort makes these devices an attractive selling point that can set your house apart in a competitive real estate market. 

Budgeting for Installing a Smart Thermostat

Careful planning can help you maximize value while minimizing your smart thermostat installation costs. Try these budgeting tips:

• Ask for detailed estimates from at least three licensed technicians to compare pricing and services. 

• Research different models to find the best balance between features and price.

• Check for available utility rebates for installing energy-efficient smart thermostats. 

• Invest in a professional installation to ensure safety and peace of mind.

• Verify the thermostat’s compatibility with your existing HVAC system to avoid additional modification costs.

• Budget for potential thermostat repair costs in the future, which can range from $100 to $250 for standard service calls. 

• Bundle furnace replacement costs with the installation of a smart thermostat at the same time. 

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.