Mysa vs. Ecobee: Which Smart Thermostat for Your BC Heat Pump?

You've got a heat pump. Now you need a thermostat. Mysa and Ecobee both show up in homeowner searches. But they're designed for different home types.

The Fundamental Difference

Mysa: Electric-only homes (baseboard heat, electric furnace, heat pump)

Ecobee: Universal (works with gas, oil, electric, heat pumps)

For a heat pump? Both work. But that's where the similarity ends.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Mysa	Ecobee
Works with Heat Pump	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
HVAC Compatibility	Electric only	Gas, oil, electric, heat pump
Temperature Sensing	Thermostat unit only	Thermostat + wireless remote sensors
Smart Home Integration	Basic (WiFi, app)	Advanced (Alexa built-in, HomeKit, Google, Alexa)
Learning Algorithm	Manual scheduling	Learns your patterns
Typical Cost	$300–$400	$250–$600 (depending on model)
Available in BC	Yes (online + stores)	Yes (widely available)

Mysa: Built for Electric Homes

Mysa is a Canadian startup designed specifically for homes that run on electricity (no gas). If your heat pump is your only heating system, Mysa works great.

Mysa Strengths

• Designed for heat pump homes: The software understands how heat pumps work (different temperature curves than gas).
• Simple setup: If you have electric-only heating, Mysa is plug-and-play.
• Energy savings focus: Mysa's algorithms lean heavy on reducing consumption, which matters for all-electric homes.
• Fair price: $300–$400 for a solid smart thermostat.

Mysa Limitations

• No remote sensors: Mysa only reads temperature where the thermostat sits. If your bedroom is cold, Mysa doesn't know.
• Limited smart home: No Alexa built-in. You can integrate with Alexa or Google, but it's not native.
• Can't handle dual heating: If you have a heat pump + backup electric heat, Mysa assumes it's all one electric system. It won't manage a furnace backup.
• Smaller ecosystem: Fewer integrations than Ecobee.

Ecobee: The Universal Player

Ecobee makes thermostats for any home—gas, oil, or electric. Their heat pump support is solid, and they have more features overall.

Ecobee Strengths

• Works with anything: Gas furnace + heat pump backup? Ecobee handles it. Straight heat pump? Also fine.
• Remote sensors: You get wireless temperature sensors. Place one in your bedroom, one in the basement. Ecobee balances heating across rooms.
• Alexa built-in: Voice control without a separate Echo device.
• Smart home powerhouse: Works with HomeKit, Google, Alexa, Apple. Way more integrations than Mysa.
• Learning thermostat: It learns your schedule and adjusts automatically (Mysa requires manual programming).

Ecobee Limitations

• Overkill for pure heat pump homes: If you only have a heat pump and don't need multi-room sensing, Ecobee is feature-rich but pricey.
• More complex setup: More integrations = more setup choices = potential confusion.
• Higher cost: $250–$600 depending on model. You're paying for universal compatibility even if you don't need it.

Which One for BC Heat Pump Homes?

The Real Talk

Most BC homeowners with a new heat pump don't have a backup furnace. Your heat pump is your heating. In that case, Mysa is the right choice—it's built for you and costs less.

But if you're keeping your old gas furnace as backup (common during transition), Ecobee is the smarter buy. It understands dual-system homes better.

About That Free Thermostat You Heard About

You may have heard: "BC Hydro gives free smart thermostats to homeowners with electric heat."

That's real—but limited. BC Hydro's free thermostat program targets income-qualified households with electric baseboard heat. If you qualify and have baseboards, grab it. But if you have a heat pump, the program might not apply.

Check your specific eligibility with BC Hydro. Don't assume you're included.

The Bottom Line

Both thermostats work with heat pumps. Mysa is the heat-pump-native choice if that's your only heat source. Ecobee is the universal player if you're mixing systems or want smart home integration.

Ask your heat pump installer which they typically pair with. Their answer, based on your specific setup, matters more than the brand review you read online.

Get your heat pump matched with an installer →