Essent will stop supporting E-thermostat in February

Essent reports that it will stop supporting the E-thermostat from 1 February, because the collaboration with supplier ICY will end next year. Users who wish to continue using the platform must pay at ICY. If there is too little enthusiasm, the plug will be disconnected completely.

Essent reports that from 1 February 2019 the E-thermostat can only be operated and programmed manually. The accompanying app and the online portal are then in principle no longer supported, unless there is sufficient interest. Users must make this known to supplier ICY themselves. Essent released the smart thermostat, which can be operated with a smartphone or tablet and has a built-in motion sensor, in 2011.

In an email that ICY has sent to users, it says that the company now has to make a decision about whether or not to continue the E-thermostat platform and mobile app. To help the company make that choice, ICY asks users if they want to continue using the web portal and app. If there appears to be enough interest in the platform, the service will remain up and running. A decision on this will be made on February 1.

ICY also mentions that the use of the platform will no longer be free of charge from 1 February due to the ‘high costs’. Users can purchase an annual license from the ICY web store that runs until February 1, 2020; it costs 1.95 euros per month. If the service is terminated, licensed customers will get their money back. If the platform remains up and running for the time being, the supplier will retest every year whether there are still enough users. At this point, only the necessary updates are performed.

Essent will also approach customers by e-mail, in which information will be provided. For example, customers who renew their contract with the energy company may be offered an alternative to the E thermostat, such as the Honeywell Lyric T6 or a Nest thermostat. There are no further subscription costs involved.