Learning Thermostat

[VeloClone]

Bells and whistles like internet connectivity and weather are nice, but frankly don't strike me as that useful...

I am really debating getting a thermostat with internet connectivity. When we travel in the winter I am somewhat limited on how much I can turn the thermostat down because Mrs. Velo and the kids don't like coming home to a house that is too far out of the comfort range. In the summer it would be really nice to be able to turn the air on an hour before we get home rather than coming home to a 90+ degree house and just starting to cool it when we get home. Maybe the solution is a more flexible programmable unit than we currently have, but if I'm upgrading it just seems that the little bit more I might pay for the connectivity might be worth it so I can adjust the program if my travel schedule changes or can raise the set point if the weather unexpectedly starts to get dangerously cold and we need to worry about pipes against an outside wall freezing if the set point is too low.

[Trice]

I am really debating getting a thermostat with internet connectivity. When we travel in the winter I am somewhat limited on how much I can turn the thermostat down because Mrs. Velo and the kids don't like coming home to a house that is too far out of the comfort range. In the summer it would be really nice to be able to turn the air on an hour before we get home rather than coming home to a 90+ degree house and just starting to cool it when we get home. Maybe the solution is a more flexible programmable unit than we currently have, but if I'm upgrading it just seems that the little bit more I might pay for the connectivity might be worth it so I can adjust the program if my travel schedule changes or can raise the set point if the weather unexpectedly starts to get dangerously cold and we need to worry about pipes against an outside wall freezing if the set point is too low.

For most of what you describe a normal programmable thermostat would seem to meet you needs. But even if you add internet connectivity - which I agree could be useful - I think there are other less expensive alternatives.

I'm not arguing against the Nest thermostat necessarily. I just haven't yet figured out what the real value add is for someone in my situation.

[NickTheGreat]

NEST isn't good for playing with Home Automation system. There are some "internet" thermostats out there, but I don't have experience with them.

NEST was started by Apple guys, if that tells you anything

[JP4CY]

NEST isn't good for playing with Home Automation system. There are some "internet" thermostats out there, but I don't have experience with them.

NEST was started by Apple guys, if that tells you anything

So they are going to make even more billions and have dedicated followers?

[boone7247]

Ordered a Nest last night for my new house. It will be a couple weeks before we are done painting and cleaning up. Once it is working I will let you all know how it is doing.

[huntt26]

Ordered a Nest last night for my new house. It will be a couple weeks before we are done painting and cleaning up. Once it is working I will let you all know how it is doing.

How is it going so far? I just bought one but haven't installed it yet. I'm scared I'll blow the house up lol

[boone7247]

How is it going so far? I just bought one but haven't installed it yet. I'm scared I'll blow the house up lol

It is going really well. Installation was easy. Just follow the instructions. Setup was also easy. The wife loves the ability to control temp where ever we are. I am addicted to at looking how much energy we use every day. It has saved us money so far just in being able to set it to away or turn the temp down when not at home.

[JP4CY]

My nest has been great. Really cool to see how much energy you use and when it runs/shut downs.

[Bigman38]

Do you have to install anything else other than the actual thermostat? I saw a commercial the other day where it kind of looked like you had to buy some sensors and set them up around the house.

[3TrueFans]

Do you have to install anything else other than the actual thermostat? I saw a commercial the other day where it kind of looked like you had to buy some sensors and set them up around the house.

Those are just so the government can track your movement in your house.

[Bigman38]

Those are just so the government can track your movement in your house.

stealing your bit but this seems appropriate.

[cowboycurtis]

I just bought a honeywell wifi programmable thermostat at phil menards last week. I went to install it and found out my thermostat wire is only a 4 wire thermostat wire. Got to have at least a 5 wire. Might try to get it working today if I can get the new wire strung up through the house.

[bos]

My nest has been great. Really cool to see how much energy you use and when it runs/shut downs.

Yeah, I bought one. Very easy to install and love the periodic reports.

[huntt26]

With the Nest do any of you guys have a common wire? It is advertised as not needing one, but I'm seeing a lot of bad feedback from people online where their Nest's battery dies due to not getting enough juice.

[Mr Janny]

Yeah, I bought one. Very easy to install and love the periodic reports.

one of my co-workers bought one a couple weeks ago and can't stop talking about it. He absolutely loves it.