in my old cabin I used to use an X10 dial up reciever to turn on a X10 relay that was inline with the wire to my thermostat preset at 70 degrees. When I was leaving for the cabin I called ahead ond truned on the heat. Worked great! Is this still the best way in this insteon world or is there a better way? I hate to buy another isy just for the remote feathure.

If you don't need the power of a full-blown ISY-99, you could track down a used/refurbished ISY 26 or you could use a SmartLinc.

jkraus:

 

Do you have a phone line there?

 

http://www.freezealert.com/freeze_alarm_products.htm

 

I use a device called a "Freeze Alarm". It works perfect with two thermostats. #1 is left on the "away temp", say 55. #2 is left on say 70. Just call and you can switch therm 1 to therm 2.

 

I have given great thought to using an Insteon therm. My only concern is the lack of control during power outages, i.e., the network does not come back up. My phone line always comes up and the furnace/therm(s) always are up. In addition the Freeze Alarm wil call you with status problems. To date, I can't sign up for the Insteon way yet. I can't even get rid of the old phone company in favor of Ooma of VoIP for the same reasons.

 

Oh and as a ultimate backup, I use a webcam that has a thermometer in veiw for a "hard" temperature.

 

As always if the Insteon thermostat crowd has history that will calm my "network" fears, please chime in. I'd love the Insteon therm, just afraid of opening myself up for more problems.

 

aLf