Outdoor temperature

[brain shocker]

I would like to use outdoor temperatures in some programs but not sure what's the best way to get the temp. Can someone recommend an outdoor sensor or is the climate module a better way to go? My ISY has the zwave add on.

Thanks

 

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[jtara92101]

Climate module will give you values from the weather station you select. Is that good enough for you?

 

I'd guess in Ontario, that's probably good enough! In coastal S. California, the temperature might vary significantly within a mile, so you might want your own sensor.

 

My nearest weather stations are at SAN (official San Diego weather at airport) and a station in Balboa Park nearby. Neither typically matches local temperature in nearby neighborhoods. It's amusing looking at the reported temperature on news apps and websites, as they all seem to have a different opinion as to which weather station best represents "San Diego". Within the city, temperatures might vary by 20F or more (let alone county).

 

I gave in and got a Nest. I now leave it to Google's mysterious, opaque AI to use outdoor temperature - or not - to influence thermostat. And I have no fans to control or vacation-house water to keep from freezing...

[paulbates]

FWIW, I use the climate module. Here are the tradeoffs I see

 

Climate module.

Plusses: Easy, one time expense and installation. Tends to be good enough for my temperature needs, which include helping the HVAC system keep up with weather changes. I've also used it for sprinkler input prior to switching controllers.

Minuses: Its based on a weather service. Local reliability of any service can be a concern. I have my programmed to an international airport that is 10 miles away so I get consistent results, as opposed to an individual station at another house near me.. Its off occasionally when storms blow through, but over all its been a good solution for temperature. Its not very good at rain.

 

Sensor

Plusses: Can be very accurate. Under your control. There's a "while we're at it" factor that could lead to a weather station.

Minuses: Proper installation can be difficult so the sensor is not adversely/unrealistically affected by local conditions, for example, it could read too high in direct sun. If you have technical problems, battery out, etc, it will stop working.

[brain shocker]

I assume the climate module also gives other values besides temp? Humidity, wind, pressure etc.?

 

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[visualcoat]

What scenario are you trying to build based on the temp outside?

 

[brain shocker]

I would like to adjust my HVAC according to temp. Also be able to switch my HRV on and off according to temp.

 

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[paulbates]

Here is the description of the climate module. Note that not all stations necessarily report all values

 

 

Edit: The first graphic with the irrigation values is a function of the user making the screen capture. They had the irrigation module in addition to the climate module. I don't see that information on my screen.

 

Paul

[brain shocker]

Thanks, I didn't even think about checking wiki for info. I think Climate module opens a lot more doors and I'm heading that way...

 

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[jtara92101]

I assume the climate module also gives other values besides temp? Humidity, wind, pressure etc.?

 

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Lots more. And lots and lots and lots...

[paulbates]

So a word of caution. I went ahead an looked at Hamilton in the climate module, and went on to Cambridge and Brantford. This is the only WX station I could find, maybe someone else in Ontario knows of another. Munro has a number of stations, but the don't show up on the ISY

 

 

Thanks, I didn't even think about checking wiki for info. I think Climate module opens a lot more doors and I'm heading that way...

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[brain shocker]

I was hoping Munro would be listed since it's an international airport and only a few minutes from my home...bummer

 

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[stusviews]

If you want to control your HVAC based on external temperature, then only a sensor within feet of your home will suffice.

[Techman]

Some of the Venstar thermostats have an external hardwired temperature sensor option and they interface with the ISY

[larryllix]

I use outside temperature sensing and wind, combined to influence my heating patterns. This is done with a WC8 board for wind speed and several temperature sensors for an averaged  temperature and rejection of wild readings/sensors.

 

I have found not much can be done to influence the simple automated control of an HVAC system by a good thermostat.

 

I would be interested in how you want to make use of the weather information.

[MWareman]

I put a onewire temp sensor outside, wired to my Brultech GEM which feeds the temp data into ISY via a Dashbox. Seems to work well for me when using external temp to make HVAC decisions.

 

I'm also sending the temp in the HVAC ducts, before and after the furnace. It's interesting to track the increase (or decrease) due to the furnace or AC chiller....

[brain shocker]

Can anyone tell me with the climate module can you only use the weather stations that are listed or can you manually enter a weather station id that is not listed?

 

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[paulbates]

Brian

The station name for Munro is MID_CYHM. I plugged that directly in to Location, without searching, and this came back

 

You'll want to compare with weather now and other sources. They all can vary

 

Paul

 

[brain shocker]

Paul

That's awesome thanks so much. I still have to purchase the module but now that I know Munro can be used I'll be getting it tonight.

Peter

( brain shocker is my screen name....I'm an electrian)

 

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[Sub-Routine]

I like the climate module because I can use the prediction.

 

I began using these two programs this year. When the temps get over ~85F my AC cannot keep up and I will see ~3F increase in our home. So I look at the prediction and just before midnight I lower the thermostat 3F.

 

I added the humidity factor today so I'm not sure if the 55% is correct yet.

 

Cooler - [iD 0080][Parent 0009]

If
        Time is 11:40:02PM
    And (
             Module 'Climate' High Temperature Tomorrow < 84 °F
         And Module 'Climate' Humidity Tomorrow < 55 %
        )
    And Status  'Indoor Lights / Thermostat - Main' < 81° (Cool Setpoint)
 
Then
        Set 'Indoor Lights / Thermostat - Main' 81° (Cool Setpoint)
        Send Notification to 'Rand'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 
 

 

 

Hot Hot Hot - [iD 007F][Parent 0009]

If
        Time is 11:40:00PM
    And (
             Module 'Climate' High Temperature Tomorrow >= 84 °F
          Or Module 'Climate' Humidity Tomorrow >= 55 %
        )
    And Status  'Indoor Lights / Thermostat - Main' >= 81° (Cool Setpoint)
 
Then
        Set 'Indoor Lights / Thermostat - Main' 78° (Cool Setpoint)
        Send Notification to 'Rand'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')