Thermostat for Heat Pump

[smithlevenson]

I tried to search around and see if I could either find an Insteon 2732-242 or see if the Insteon 2441TH could now run a heat pump. So far it seems that neither are options. 

Does anyone have suggestions, alternative brands, or work-around's for heat pump systems?

[Bumbershoot]

Venstar Colortouch thermostats work with heat pumps.  There's a Polyglot nodeserver for them as well as NodeLink.  These run on a completely local API, so there's no cloud dependence.  Here's a link to the manual.

[smithlevenson]

On 4/22/2020 at 2:25 PM, Bumbershoot said:

Venstar Colortouch thermostats work with heat pumps.  There's a Polyglot nodeserver for them as well as NodeLink.  These run on a completely local API, so there's no cloud dependence.  Here's a link to the manual.

Awesome info, Thanks! Do you know which models are compatible with ISY? 

[Bumbershoot]

21 minutes ago, smithlevenson said:

Awesome info, Thanks! Do you know which models are compatible with ISY? 

This is from the VenstarCT Polyglot nodeserver: "Currently only residential ColorTouch thermostats (T7800, T7850, and T7900) are supported."  The NodeLink nodeserver may support others. 

Keep in mind that these are WiFi thermostats, and that they don't have a native Insteon connection the the ISY.  You must use a nodeserver.

[smithlevenson]

On 4/25/2020 at 10:47 AM, Bumbershoot said:

This is from the VenstarCT Polyglot nodeserver: "Currently only residential ColorTouch thermostats (T7800, T7850, and T7900) are supported."  The NodeLink nodeserver may support others. 

Keep in mind that these are WiFi thermostats, and that they don't have a native Insteon connection the the ISY.  You must use a nodeserver.

Got it. Thanks again for helping out!

[rock6112hill]

I am very much interested in this topic ... but am confused about what I need, or if I should go a different path.  I have an ISY 994I PRO that is IR and zWave compatible (help about attached).  Initially looked at the Insteon thermostat but the only one available is not heat pump compatible and the thermostat that is compatible shows as discontinued (plus, reviews of both are not stellar). 

So, now I turn to the Venstar line ... but it looks like I will either have to obtain / install a Polyglot nodeserver (which I have considered) or a NodeLink nodeserver (is this also a separate device or just a separate module in the ISY?).  

Then I see that there are also zWave thermostats available.  But, do I have everything I need to install these devices?  Is a separate server required (doesn't sound like it)?  Can I have a "mixed" Insteon and zWave system where the ISY is controlling both types of devices (the thermostat would be the only zWave)?

Considered starting a separate thread ... and will do so, if the admins derm that best.

Thank you for your input .... Ann

[smithlevenson]

2 hours ago, rock6112hill said:

I am very much interested in this topic ... but am confused about what I need, or if I should go a different path.  I have an ISY 994I PRO that is IR and zWave compatible (help about attached).  Initially looked at the Insteon thermostat but the only one available is not heat pump compatible and the thermostat that is compatible shows as discontinued (plus, reviews of both are not stellar). 

So, now I turn to the Venstar line ... but it looks like I will either have to obtain / install a Polyglot nodeserver (which I have considered) or a NodeLink nodeserver (is this also a separate device or just a separate module in the ISY?).  

Then I see that there are also zWave thermostats available.  But, do I have everything I need to install these devices?  Is a separate server required (doesn't sound like it)?  Can I have a "mixed" Insteon and zWave system where the ISY is controlling both types of devices (the thermostat would be the only zWave)?

Considered starting a separate thread ... and will do so, if the admins derm that best.

Thank you for your input .... Ann

Hey Ann, 

I think our post are similar enough to be in same thread. 

 

I have the identical set up and definitely have mixed zwave and insteon systems. You should have everything you need to set up any zwave device. My zwave locks do not require nodeservers and look/feel/act similar to insteon devices (some minor differences aside). 

I would be very interested to know if any heat pump compatible zwave thermostats exist and if they perform well. 

I think that we are both looking for the same thing. The nodeservers I have used are both good and bad and I think a native z-wave controlled unit would be, on par, easier to deal with. The only downside I have found with zwave is long distances from the unit can cause issues. I use a separate repeater for my locks at home and have no issues. The repeater was about $30-50 though. 

[madcodger]

9 hours ago, smithlevenson said:

I would be very interested to know if any heat pump compatible zwave thermostats exist and if they perform well. 

Ditto.

After two previous homes that ran all Insteon for lighting but Nest or ecobee for thermostats (ecobee OK, Nest started that way then went to junk thanks to Google buying them), I've been using z-wave stats from GoControl to control our boiler in one building and a propane-fueled garage heater in another building. Absolutely love them. But... Now we're getting ready to install mini-splits. Our preferred dealer sells only Daikin, and they have their own (proprietary) stats. 

I absolutely despise proprietary thermostats, after really bad past experiences with them.

So, I'm wondering if anyone knows of a z-wave (preferred) thermostat or a wifi stat (someone could possibly write a nodeserver for it) that can work with a variety of mini-splits, especially Daikin. 

[Mirgo]

If anyone still needs information on how to hook-up 2441th to a heat pump, I can explain. ;-)

[smithlevenson]

17 hours ago, Mirgo said:

If anyone still needs information on how to hook-up 2441th to a heat pump, I can explain.

I am very interested

[Mirgo]

I did this, for standard heat pump systems. Hope it helps. 

[Rick54]

Attempting to get back to the original question here, I would like to know if anyone sells a thermostat for a heat pump system to be managed by my ISY994i that would be manufacturer supported to run with ISY994i.  I have seen the posts for an additional components may be required and I don't want to add components that could fail. Reading above it appears Venstar Colortouch thermostats work with heat pumps and are controllable by the ISY994i but there is a requirement for a Polyglot nodeserver AND NodeLink.  I have no understanding of these two components. I would like to have a recommendation for a heat pump thermostat that I can use. Anyone have some ideas?

[larryllix]

2 minutes ago, RYost said:

Attempting to get back to the original question here, I would like to know if anyone sells a thermostat for a heat pump system to be managed by my ISY994i that would be manufacturer supported to run with ISY994i.  I have seen the posts for an additional components may be required and I don't want to add components that could fail. Reading above it appears Venstar Colortouch thermostats work with heat pumps and are controllable by the ISY994i but there is a requirement for a Polyglot nodeserver AND NodeLink.  I have no understanding of these two components. I would like to have a recommendation for a heat pump thermostat that I can use. Anyone have some ideas?

Venstar is the only stat that I am aware f that does a local API (application interface). All other are cloud based.

However, cloud based is not a real big hurdle as the stat looks after itself and most of the cloud connection is about tweaking the settings, and monitoring to control other devices based on that.  All stats require a Node Server as a bridge between ISY and some cloud interface, except for the Insteon stats but I wouldn't trust my system to one of those. I have two and if you don't mind large temperature swings, and overshoot temperatures, upon recovery, on of those could be your easiest. Now I am not sure how well they handle a heat-pump with it's backup heat source handling etc,,

[apostolakisl]

@RYost  Insteon did make a thermostat for heatpumps.  They have not made it in many years.  I own 7 of them and they are running at my church.  You may be able to find one used someplace.  They look identical to the one they currently sell that is not heat pump compatible.

[Goose66]

2 hours ago, RYost said:

...but there is a requirement for a Polyglot nodeserver AND NodeLink. 

That's actually Polyglot Nodeserver OR NodeLink. At this juncture, I would recommend Polisy, which is the surest (and fully supported) way to run nodeservers.

[apostolakisl]

https://www.amazon.com/Insteon-2732-242-Heat-Thermostat-White/dp/B017WS3WKW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pb_opt?ie=UTF8

 

This is the one.

[tmorse305]

20 hours ago, Goose66 said:

That's actually Polyglot Nodeserver OR NodeLink. At this juncture, I would recommend Polisy, which is the surest (and fully supported) way to run nodeservers.

If you are going to consider getting a Polisy then you should consider an ecobee thermostat.  It has a much richer feature set and can be fully controlled by ISY via Polisy or  the ecobee app.  I have 2 controlling my 2 stage Heat pump and it can also control the built in backup electric.

[Goose66]

I have the ecobee (and ecobee nodeserver) for my upstairs and the Venstar ColorTouch in my basement. I have to say I like the ColorTouch better for the simple fact that it is, well, simple. The ecobee has lots of features, but is almost frustrating complex to control. You have to jump through hoops to kill of its "logic" and just get it to perform as a simple thermostat. I have my ISY for automation of my home - and that includes the thermostats. I just want thermostats to control the preset temps - that's it.

That's why the two main-floor systems are on Insteon thermostats - simple, no-fuss, and natively supported by the ISY. I got the Venstar system for free and installed in the basement to develop the nodeserver (the removed Insteon thermostat is still down there somewhere), and I won the ecobee system and installed it upstairs to get my flair vents working.

[larryllix]

I have used a few different brands of stats over decades and have to agree that evobee stats have the best features and stability. Compared to others they seem to understand what a thermostat needs to do when it comes to user features and things like multiple scenarios that you don't have to edit every time you switch from heat to a/c and back. User programmable comfort settings up to about ten with dual a/c and heating tables that ISY can switch around easily without ever knowing a single temperature. Accuracy to 0.1 degree but only 0.5 c display. When your temp needs to go under a full degree before it kicks in and you have a big bandwidth between cool and heat that 4 to 5 degree fluctuation can cause a lot of discomfort.
User security locks with variable limits.

Highly recommended. evobee has their ship together. Two of my sons got into the Nest and after fighting with all their AI fakery they both disabled all that stuff anyway.

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