I am looking at doing some hvac zones for my house.  I am trying to determine if there is a thermostat setup that works with my Polisy that can be used wirelessly.  I know Honeywell has the Redlink but not sure if the node server for Honeywell will work with that.

I am having difficulties finding a way to run a thermostat wire to the 2nd floor of my house to put it in normally.

 

I know some will scoff, but Insteon either does or used to make wireless thermostats (you can find them on eBay from time to time).  I use them in my house and they work fine for my needs; however, they're not accurate to a tenth of a degree - maybe to 1.5 degrees - it's good enough for me.   I put the wireless thermostat where I want the temperature read and where I want to operate it and it controls my actual thermostat which is downstairs (via programs).

I also have a nearby keypad that can turn on/off the AC/heat and bump up/down the temperature.

If you only want to read the temperature, there are a number of devices (I use Yolink) that reads the temperature and your thermostat can turn on/off accordingly via a plugin.  

I'm happy to go into more details if you want, but I'm using an "ancient" technology and I'm sure others will chime in with better ideas.

Ross

I didn't think ecobee, venstar or insteon will meet your need. They're wireless in that you can control their functions via Wi-Fi (or insteon) with software, but they all need 24vac wiring to the device to control the HVAC system's functions

Venstar and ecobee have wireless sensors you can read independently and possibily make zone decisions and control ducts, but it would be a "roll your own", not a manufacturer's integrated/managed zone control system...I wouldn't do it that way

Edited October 9, 20241 yr by paulbates

If I understand your dilemma, you want to put in a seperate zone for an upstairs are, but dont want to run wires there ?

How are you going to do a second zone?  thru the heat ducts dampers in the basement?  That is your first concern.

Controlling both zones and the actuators is the next concern. 

Ecobee can do this if I understand correctly but placing one ecobee on the main floor where you have the current thermostat and then a second one in the basement, where the wiring is convenient, and then using a remote sensor upstairs that will control the thermostat placed int he basement. 

this article does a good job of describing this. 

https://homeinspectioninsider.com/will-ecobee-thermostat-control-multiple-zones/

and a great video

 

Edited October 9, 20241 yr by dbwarner5

@dbwarner5 That is what I was thinking would work.

As for setup, I will probably use the Honeywell Truezone controller and then add retrofit electronic zone dampers in the basement as I can get to all of the different ducts there.  I did this in my last house but that house was old so I could run wires from the basement to the attic with ease whereas this house does not look as simple.

2 hours ago, dbwarner5 said:

If I understand your dilemma, you want to put in a seperate zone for an upstairs are, but dont want to run wires there ?

How are you going to do a second zone?  thru the heat ducts dampers in the basement?  That is your first concern.

Controlling both zones and the actuators is the next concern. 

Ecobee can do this if I understand correctly but placing one ecobee on the main floor where you have the current thermostat and then a second one in the basement, where the wiring is convenient, and then using a remote sensor upstairs that will control the thermostat placed int he basement. 

this article does a good job of describing this. 

https://homeinspectioninsider.com/will-ecobee-thermostat-control-multiple-zones/

and a great video