Johnson Controls GLAS Thermostat Review [Honesty Unleashed]

​Are you looking for a device that will not only take care of your home temperature but also comes with a lot of exclusive features?Rejoice! Your search has come to a fruitful end.

Here, I’m going to talk about a product which is the definition of high-end.Yes, I’m talking about the Johnson Controls GLAS thermostat. It’s the very first Microsoft’s cortana powered thermostat GLAS was released in 24th August, 2018.

My GLAS thermostat review is going to cover its features, installation, and comparison with other thermostats.Also, I’m going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the ​Johnson Controls thermostat in a later section.So, let’s get started.

Glas Thermostat

​GLAS Smart Thermostat by Johnson Controls

Good Stuff:

  • ​Lets you measure the air quality.
  • ​The device is gorgeous to look at.
  • ​Gives daily weather forecast.
  • Cortana is built into the thermostat.
  • ​Compatible with Alexa.
  • Low consumption of power.

The Drawbacks

  • The app leaves a lot to be desired.
  • Missing the Remote Sensor.
  • Expensive than other similar Thermostats.

​Review: Features and Functionality of GLAS thermostat

GLAS Thermostat ReviewGLAS Thermostat Review

Design:

I bet no other thermostat can come close to this one in terms of aesthetic.

The moment you lay your eyes on this thing, you’ll realize it’s at an entirely different level. Its OLED transparent 5.9-inch display has a futuristic design and makes it extremely attractive.Also, its responsive display makes navigation a lot simpler. Overall, the device is very easy-to-use and user-friendly.It’s worth mentioning that this device runs on Windows 10 and Qualcomm chip.

​First Microsofts Thermostat – Built-In Cortana:

Integration of Cortana is a game changer after it.

It makes things a lot easier. Suppose you wanna know about the weather, you can just say, “Cortana, what’s the weather like in Chicago” and it will tell you all you want to know.

However, to have fun with Cortana, you will need a Microsoft account.

Moreover, the ​GLAS also works really well with other voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Home.

​Carbon-Dioxide Sensor:

​Thanks to the built-in carbon-dioxide and other sensors, it can tell you about the air quality in your house.

As a result, it gets more comfortable for you to improve air quality and tackle problems such as humidity and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).

​Energy-Efficient:

The GLAS conserves power by turning the light off after a few seconds. Otherwise, the OLED screen will drain a lot of energy if left on for a long time.However, not being able to keep the device on all the time may be an issue for some individuals.

microsofts thermostatmicrosofts thermostat

Weather Forecast:

Keeps you updated all the time about the weather condition and gives you a heads up about upcoming storms.So, before you go out, you can check if it’s going to rain or not.That way, you can prepare yourself for severe weather beforehand.Nonetheless, instead of a multi-day forecast, it provides the forecast for only one day.

Johnson Controls Thermostat App:

The best thing about the app I can say is that it works.The interface isn’t user-friendly and doesn’t make the experience enjoyable.A lot of room to improve. Must be improved.

Here you can find the App of GLAS –> Apple App store || Google Play

​Home/Away Feature:

You can set specific home temperatures for when you are at home and away. However, I’d like to warn you that the device isn’t that good at telling if you’re home or not.

​​GLAS thermostat price: $$$

In comparison to its competitors, the price may seem a bit too much. But then again, it has a premium look and high-end features which demand a premium price.

​You might also check – The Best Smart Thermostats Now.

​What’s The Difference with Ecobee4 /Nest Thermostat?

​First of all, all of them are great thermostats and have little differences in quality. However, they aren’t exactly the same when it comes to features and other aspects. That’s why below I’m going to point out some of their basic differences.

Price:In terms of price, GLAS is the most expensive thermostat at just below ​Three Hundred Fifty bucks, while Nest thermostat will cost you the least being priced at around ​Two hundred bucks.

Design:When it comes to design the GLAS is head and shoulders above the others.Its see-through OLED screen simply puts it in a different league to others.

Built-in Cortana:The ​Microsofts thermostat is the only device among the three to have a built-in Cortana.However, Ecobee4 has Alexa built into the device.

Always-On Display:Unlike others, GLAS has a display that turns on only when you are in front of the device. It helps the device to consume less power and save you a few extra bucks.

Installation:

Setting GLAS up isn’t much different from installing other thermostats.

You have to go through the basic steps such as mounting and wiring.That said, mounting the thermostat may be a bit difficult due to the fact that instead of the middle, the wiring is located at the bottom. For this reason, some drywall patching will be required to conceal the holes.

Once you have mounted the unit, the device will run an auto-scan to figure out what kind of system you have. If any error is found, you can easily fix it.

Next, you can configure the settings according to your needs from the intuitive touchscreen display.

In addition, the unit also comes with a C wire adapter to help you with the installation. [Learn: What is C ​Wir​e?]

Compatibility:

Not only it has Cortana built into it, but it is also compatible with all the other voice assistants such as Alexa and google assistant.

That way, you can now control the thermostat with any voice assistant of your choice.

Our Suggestion: Should You ​Buy it?

I know what you are thinking, that’s a lot of money for a thermostat.​​But believe me, If you love ​Cortana / Microsofts products and want to use the ​design we dreamed of, it’s worth your money.

Or if you looking for a compact smart thermostat within good price you should check our other reviews like – Ecobee 4 or Nest E

I hope, my GLAS thermostat review has been of some help to you.Let me know in the comments section if you have any questions about the device.

​Don’t believe our review?

​Check the current user’s comments ​& reviews..

​Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best brand of the thermostat?Ans. It’s hard to pick one and say that’s the best brand for you. That’s because the competition is severe for the top spot. But if I were to name top 5 brands, I would name Nest, Honeywell, Ecobee, Emerson, and Johnson Controls.

You should read our guide – ​Choosing the Best Thermostat for you!2. Why do I want a smart thermostat?

Ans. smart thermostat enables you to customize temperature settings according to your schedules and state of the weather. You may have weather forecast, air quality measurement sensors, and a voice assistant as additional features.

3. Do smart thermostats really save you money?

Ans. I’ll let the facts do the talking. According to research conducted by EPA, a smart thermostat can save you more than 170$ a year. Not bad!

4. Which costs more heating or cooling?

Ans. Some people are of the opinion that heating costs less than the cooing. Well, they are wrong. The truth is heating is 4 times costlier than the cooling.

5. How much does a smart thermostat cost?

Ans. quality thermostat should cost you between 99$-400$.

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