The Best Thermostats

[Michaelv]

I am looking to update my Thermostats. Can anyone tell me who makes thermostats which can be controlled by the ISY? I know Insteon makes them but are they the only game in town?

[Michaelv]

I should have mentioned that I have Aprilaire thermostats that are controlled by Homeseer. Is there a way I can keep those and integrate with ISY?

[shannong]

I don't have a good suggestion of a thermostat to buy. I also posted for recommendations on thermostats to integrate with the ISY besides the Insteon ones and did not get single response.

 

I have several Insteon thermostats and they have been quite a headache. Buyer beware. See this active thread for details. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=9783

 

There is a plugin that allows full integration from of Homeseer with ISY. It hasn't yet been upgraded to HS3 but it's currently in alpha or beta. When it's updated, you could use that to keep your thermostats and leverage them in an ISY environment.

[DennisC]

I was interested in adding an Insteon thermostat just before the end of the year. When I read about all the problems others were having, I changed gears.

 

After some more research, I added the Z Wave dongle and purchased a Honeywell Z Wave thermostat. Actually, I purchased two of them for two different locations. I have them both working and so far have been satisfied.

 

I added programming that setbacks the temperature based on day, time, and my Elk alarm system setting ( away mode versus vacation mode).

 

I have the system sending out text messages of the interior temperature from the thermostat at various times when my alarm system is armed. I also have alerts set so if the interior temperature reaches a certain temperature, we are notified.

 

The firmware still has a few bugs to get corrected, but UDI has been great in assisting and promising to have them corrected soon.

 

So far, so good. I hope this helps.

 

Regards,

 

Dennis

[shannong]

Dennis-

 

What resolution does the Honeywell report the current to the ISY? Full degree integers only? Half-degree(0.5F)? 0.2F?

 

Thanks.

 

-Shannon

[DennisC]

Dennis-

 

What resolution does the Honeywell report the current to the ISY? Full degree integers only? Half-degree(0.5F)? 0.2F?

 

Thanks.

 

-Shannon

 

Shannon,

 

Sorry for the delay in responding. I believe it reports in whole degrees, but I will keep a closer eye on it.

 

Dennis

[shannong]

Shannon,

 

Sorry for the delay in responding. I believe it reports in whole degrees, but I will keep a closer eye on it.

 

Dennis

 

I would appreciate it. I'm trying to decide between the Honeywell and 2Gig. I would like at least .5F degree resolution.

 

You'll know because sometimes you'll have a non-integer temp for the tstat in the console or dashboard. I looked through the documentation and didn't see anything to indicate either way.

[DennisC]

Shannon,

 

Sorry for the delay in responding. I believe it reports in whole degrees, but I will keep a closer eye on it.

 

Dennis

 

I would appreciate it. I'm trying to decide between the Honeywell and 2Gig. I would like at least .5F degree resolution.

 

You'll know because sometimes you'll have a non-integer temp for the tstat in the console or dashboard. I looked through the documentation and didn't see anything to indicate either way.

 

Shannon,

 

I checked numerous times today and it is whole numbers only. For a thermostat I don't think I would need more then that.

 

Dennis

[shannong]

Thanks.

 

For my tstat I don't either. However, I was considering buying two others to place in bedrooms to sense local temp for zone control. In my master, I'd like to close one vent when the local temp is within 0.5F of the set point and close both when/if the same as the set point.

[DennisC]

Thanks.

 

For my tstat I don't either. However, I was considering buying two others to place in bedrooms to sense local temp for zone control. In my master, I'd like to close one vent when the local temp is within 0.5F of the set point and close both when/if the same as the set point.

 

I would suggest you look in to the CAIboard. I believe ISY supports this board. You can then use the recommended temperature sensors.

 

Dennis

[shannong]

 

I checked numerous times today and it is whole numbers only. For a thermostat I don't think I would need more then that.

 

Dennis

 

Could you please answer another question about the Honeywell thermostat for me? Does it report to ISY when the heating/cooling is actually running? The tstat might be in Heat mode but that doesn't actually mean the system is actually running at any given time.

[DennisC]

 

I checked numerous times today and it is whole numbers only. For a thermostat I don't think I would need more then that.

 

Dennis

 

Could you please answer another question about the Honeywell thermostat for me? Does it report to ISY when the heating/cooling is actually running? The tstat might be in Heat mode but that doesn't actually mean the system is actually running at any given time.

 

No, it doesn't appear to report when heat is actively on. It is one of the things I have been waiting to see if it gets added in the production version for Z Wave support.

 

Dennis

[shannong]

Thanks, Dennis. Maybe I'll check the HomeSeer forums to get some more info on this tstat and the 2Gig to understand if it's a limitation of the device or the ISY beta implementation.

[DennisC]

Thanks, Dennis. Maybe I'll check the HomeSeer forums to get some more info on this tstat and the 2Gig to understand if it's a limitation of the device or the ISY beta implementation.

 

The only other thing I can add is the stat does indicate when the heat is active. I was wishful that as long as the thermostat had the information, at some point it would be made available at the ISY.

 

Dennis

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Dennis,

 

Your wish shall come true in our next drop.

 

With kind regards,

Michel