5 reasons to get 'smart' about your thermostat: What you need to know about Nest, Ecobee

From the moment you see one, a smart thermostat looks cool. The cover plate is smooth, and there's a clear digital read out. Unlike that grimy little hockey puck, with its analog dial and worn-out numbers, the smart thermostat feels futuristic, like something out of a science fiction movie. Yet smart thermostats are real – and they're changing lives. And they also offer a level of convenience that most of us have never imagined before.