Wifi, web enabled home AC thermostat

[masraum]

I have another thread asking about some HVAC wiring. In case anyone was curious, I was asking because I'm considering getting the Filtrete wifi thermostat (3m-50) that's $100 at HD.

The thermostat connects to your wifi. It then tunnels through the net to radiothermostat.com. You register for a free account at radiothermostat.com and register your thermostat. Once you're up and running, there are Android and iPhone/iPad apps to control your thermostat whether you are on vacation or sitting on the john thinking you need to adjust the temp.

I'm a bit leery of having my thermostat on the net, but what the hell.

I've got a buddy that's got 2 and has been running them for a while and likes them. He says that he can see when his baby momma has adjusted the temp and sometimes adjusts it around just to screw with her. He thinks that's pretty funny.

I've got a decent programmable thermostat now. If something happens or I decide I don't like it, I can always swap back.

[Gogar]

The Honeywell RedLink stuff can do the same thing; I think the remote module is also $100.

I was going to get it for fun, but then I realized that there will probably never. . . never . . . ever be a time where I need to change the temp of my HVAC from somewhere else. Ever.

[masraum]

What about when you're on the john??



or more realistically, laying in bed or at the opposite end of the house from the thermostat. Also, the programming interface on most programmable thermostats is crap. It would be nice to have a webpage, that I assume, would be a MUCH better interface.

My house is an older house that is 2 stories and only has one unit and no zones. There are times in the spring and fall when the temp is low enough that the downstairs will stay really nice and comfy, but the upstairs gets hot. In those times, I turn the fan to "on" which keeps the air circulating and keeps the temp differential between the 2 floors more comfortable. If the outside temp dips down at night, I often have the fan off so it'll stay a bit warmer upstairs while we're sleeping. I've forgotten to turn the fan to on when I left in the morning and come home to a very stuffy upstairs. It may not seem like a big deal, but it would be nice to have the option...

10 years ago no one was using smart phones and thought they were just fine without them. 15 years ago no one texted and didn't think they were missing anything. 20 years ago, not many people had cell phones and got along just fine. Still, I think at least some of these things are improvements. I don't think a web enabled thermostat is going to change the world the way cell phones and the Internet did, but I can see a use.

[willtel]

I recently bought a Nest thermostat and love it so far. My mother-in-law is at my house during the day and she couldn't figure out how to work my old one but this one is perfect. It is wi-fi enabled, has a motion sensor and an excellent interface that is easy to use. It also programs itself based on how you set it and will set itself to away if it doesn't sense any motion for a period of time. I have used the iPhone app to bring it out of away mode and heat up the house several times as we were headed home and it works flawlessly. It is also nice to be able to adjust it from bed or flip on the fan from the kitchen when cooking. Highly recommended.

Nest | The Learning Thermostat | Home

[Joeaksa]

I have thought about it as I travel for a living and there are times that it really would be nice.

Imagine its chilly and there is no reason to keep the heat turned up while the house is empty. On the other hand you are getting home late at night and a cold house and even worse a cold bed is no fun to come home to.

A programmable thermostat is fine but what if your schedule changes? Would be nice to set things up to start warming the house several hours before your arrival.

For this reason I have thought about going to a internet accessable thermostat...

[red-beard]

Welcome to the new world, comrade. You will not control your thermostat, it will control you...

[Paul_Heery]

I have been seriously considering the Nest. But, I have not pulled the trigger yet as they are $250 each and I need two of them. Nice features and everyone that I know that has them, loves them.

In regard to privacy, that was one of my big concerns with such a service. However, the Nest | The Learning Thermostat | Privacy Statement is pretty clear about that they share your information with no one.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Welcome to the new world, comrade. You will not control your thermostat, it will control you...

Yes! All your thermostat are belong to us. Someone set us up the temperature.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by willtel

I recently bought a Nest thermostat and love it so far.

Nest | The Learning Thermostat | Home

Sounds cool. I just don't know that a learning thermostat is right for us. For now, I'm willing to stick with a programmable.

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

I have been seriously considering the Nest. But, I have not pulled the trigger yet as they are $250 each and I need two of them. Nice features and everyone that I know that has them, loves them.

In regard to privacy, that was one of my big concerns with such a service. However, the Nest | The Learning Thermostat | Privacy Statement is pretty clear about that they share your information with no one.

I'll save the extra $150/per (I only need one, fortunately) and go with the Filtrete programmable.

I read the Nest privacy statement and last night read the radiothermostat privacy statement. They are essentially identical. - We have certain info about you that we have to have because you have an account. We won't share that with anyone (unless you give us permission). We'll anonymize other information and share that with various people, but don't worry, it definitely won't include any personally identifiable info. - or something along those lines.

[1990C4S]

Googling this leads to the observation that everything 'good' is iPhone based...

But Home Depot sells a web enabled one for about $100.

[willtel]

Googling this leads to the observation that everything 'good' is iPhone based...



But Home Depot sells a web enabled one for about $100.

Funny you mention that. The Nest is a product that was built and designed by previous Apple employees. They implemented the 'click wheel' interface into the Nest and it is pretty much flawless.

[krystar]

which home depot one are u looking at? i've never even seen a wifi thermostat for under $200 so far.

[willtel]

Originally Posted by krystar

which home depot one are u looking at? i've never even seen a wifi thermostat for under $200 so far.

Wifi Thermostat from Filtrete | The Home Depot - Model#: 3M-50

They are getting cheaper.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I recently installed two of the Filtrete 3m50 units in my place. They're outstanding. There is an app on my iPhone that allows me to monitor, adjust, etc. the settings from anywhere with an internet connection (which is pretty much anywhere these days).

The only thing you can't do remotely via the app is to change the default program, but typically when you're not home you'd set to "away" mode anyway so it wouldn't matter (i.e. you wouldn't be running the programmed "present" mode).

My only gripe is they stick off the wall too far for my liking and the "T" shaped profile makes it look glommed onto the wall. I will eventually recess the rectangular part so just the panel is "stuck" onto the wall surface. Aww, heck maybe I'll just recess the whole thing so it's flush. I'm picky about details like that...

Functionally they work very well and are a breeze to install. WELL worth the money versus the stupid mercury-switch round-dial Honeywell clunkers that used to control the place. YMMV I suppose...

[Hugh R]

I'd consider one since my 84 y/o live in MIL likes to run it down to 65 in the summer and 80 in the winter, and I'm out of town a lot.

[motion]

I can't find the NEST for less than $351. Where are you guys finding them that cheap?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Googling this leads to the observation that everything 'good' is iPhone based...

But Home Depot sells a web enabled one for about $100.

Yep, and that one has both iPhone/iPad apps and Android apps (plus, I think you can use a web page from a browser)

Originally Posted by krystar

which home depot one are u looking at? i've never even seen a wifi thermostat for under $200 so far.

Nope, see below. They are on the shelf at my local store and have been for several months.

Originally Posted by willtel

Wifi Thermostat from Filtrete | The Home Depot - Model#: 3M-50

They are getting cheaper.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by motion

I can't find the NEST for less than $351. Where are you guys finding them that cheap?

Hmm, $250 or $350, Yeah, I think I'll stick with the $100 Filtrete model.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by motion

I can't find the NEST for less than $351. Where are you guys finding them that cheap?

Purchase | Nest

[masraum]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Purchase | Nest

Now that's funny.