Right forum to discuss Smart Thermostats?

[GoodEnough]

I want to turn on the heat from my smartphone before I get home.
Anyone know about this stuff? Nest? What subforum?

 

[Muadib]

I'm not a mod, but I think it fits. My question is why you would want one when a programmable thermostat does pretty much the same thing, and is much cheaper?

 

[notposting]

I'm not a mod, but I think it fits. My question is why you would want one when a programmable thermostat does pretty much the same thing, and is much cheaper?

Because coolness factor...which is legit-ish.
But as soon as Google bought Nest they were off my list.
Will just get a programmable thermostat and be content

Oh, and I think it fits (Gadgets)

 

[GoodEnough]

B/c I don't come and go at exactly the same time every day.

Plus, a wifi thermo can be had for $100-$150.
Not a lot of money.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywel...creen-Thermostat-Free-App-RTH8580WF/203356032
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywel...creen-Thermostat-Free-App-RTH8580WF/203356032

 

[GoodEnough]

Whats another gadget lifestyle oriented forum?

 

[Ravynmagi]

Because coolness factor...which is legit-ish.
But as soon as Google bought Nest they were off my list.
Will just get a programmable thermostat and be content

Oh, and I think it fits (Gadgets)

I had the opposite feeling. I didn't care much about Nest until Google bought then, now I want one. But I'm going to wait a year or two for Google to properly absorb them and release a new version that is all Googlefied, like finally the Moto X was.

The learning function of Google Now and the smartness of a Nest thermostat seems like a match made in heaven. My thermostat will know when I leave and when I come up and adjust the temperature accordingly without me ever having to program it or alter the programming because of schedule changes.

 

[gorcorps]

The Nest just seems silly. I have a programmable thermostat that works fine, and it also has a wifi module that I haven't used yet because it requires a 24V line to use which I don't have. The Nest might have this requirement too, so you should make sure you have all the wires necessary at your thermostat or be prepared to run wire. You can also install a transformer to get more local power, but again you'll be doing some electrical work.

In any case, my schedule is erratic but not erratic enough to warrant something like a Nest. If I'm going to be gone during a time when I'm "programmed" to be home, I just hit the "save energy" button as I leave. It doesn't keep the house at the same temp as if I was there and saves energy/gas.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I think a smart thermostat would be cool, because I'm not always a smart human being. I don't always tell my thermostat to do what it should be doing, because I'll forget to hit that "save energy" button as I head out the door for a trip or something.

So it'd be nice to have a thermostat that knows what it needs to do to be most efficient and doesn't need to rely on an absent minded human to tell it what to do.

If you are a diligent person that never forgets the small details, maybe it's not for you. I need all the help I can get though.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Problem is I want one that is smarter than what we get.

I have two units, so I want a single thermostat system that connects these units. I want it to use my mobile device as an indicator of when I am in the house or not, and just do everything for me.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Problem is I want one that is smarter than what we get.

I have two units, so I want a single thermostat system that connects these units. I want it to use my mobile device as an indicator of when I am in the house or not, and just do everything for me.

That's where hopefully Google and Google Now come into play in a year or two from now. About time all that information on us be put to good use.

 

[McWatt]

From the experiences of friends who have Nests in their homes, the result is 10x more time spent messing with a thermostat locally or remotely, 10x more time spent unhappy with the temperature while at home, and plenty of time spent dealing with defective units in 2 of 4 cases. I also have a friend with an internet-controllable Honeywell, which doesn't try to be predictive and thus avoids the problems of the Nest. The Honeywell user spends twice as much time messing with the temperature, but actually spends less time uncomfortable at home, not more.

 

[GoodEnough]

I don't want predictive.
I just want on/off from my smartphone

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Predictive is overrated. Give me something with a scheduler and on/off controls remotely and I'm happy. Nest tried to be smart this weekend at our Airbnb and while the typical program runs at 80 deg for AC, we cooled down to 75. Then the supposed eco symbol came up and the Nest set it to 74. Brilliant. Using more AC than I would've used.

 

[almega]

I love my nest; since it's learned my habits I’ve rarely spent any time adjusting it this winter.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Predictive is overrated.

Only because they haven't nailed it. Think of if they did.

After a few initial preference questions delivered via Google Now it should be able to guess what temperatures you want at whatever time of day. To change it from the defaults, speak into any now capable device- "Ok Google, make it cooler" or "Ok Google, make it 75 degrees."

Could be awesome.

 

[vshah]

i love my nest. on cold days it starts warming up early so it's always 72 when it's time for me to wake up.

and with tasker + home automation server, you can set it up to set away/home based on your phone's location if the motion sensing isn't cutting it.

home automation isn't as simple as it needs to be for everyone yet, but you can do just about anything if you're willing to get your hands dirty.

 

[msaleem]

Good morning everyone,

Mu from ecobee joining the conversation. Responses to some of the issues raised in the thread so far -

1. You can use your smartphone, tablet, or computer to monitor and control your thermostat (turn on, turn off, set desired temperature, etc).
2. The thermostat understands how your home uses energy, heats up, and cools down. Once you tell it the temperature you want and when you want it, the thermostat automatically turns on or off to get to the desired temperature by the time you want.
3. There is a "quick changes" menu in the mobile app that lets you switch to "home" or "away" if your schedule changes or you leave your home but forget to change the settings on the thermostat itself.

Happy to offer more information or answer any questions (whether related to ecobee or not).

Cheers everyone!

 

[notposting]

Wow.

Just closed on our house Monday. I might be buying an ecobee Smart Si now.

Nicely timed first post.

 

[Muadib]

How much is the ecobee?

 

[notposting]

Amazon has the Smart si for ~$160. Not touch, but wifi enabled, also utilizes weather forecasting to help control things.

The fancy shmancy touchscreen one is $200+.

 

[MadScientist]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2377653

Honeywell RTH9580 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
I got mine from Lowes for the same price with a 10% off coupon.
http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-RET97A5E1001-U-Wi-Fi-Thermostat/dp/B00FLZEQH2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397679364&sr=8-1&keywords=honeywell+rth9580

Honeywell Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.honeywell.mobile.android.totalComfort

 

[Ravynmagi]

Google is selling the Nest on Google Play now.
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nest_thermostat