paleo2002 t1_j10akpe wrote on December 20, 2022 at 7:02 PM

How does installation go for these? I've got Honeywell programmable thermostats throughout the house. Do any smart thermostats plug in to the existing wiring/socket?

carne__asada OP t1_j10blg9 wrote on December 20, 2022 at 7:09 PM

Some (but not all) of the smart thermostats require an extra "C" wire compared to a standard thermostat. If you don't have this wire then you either need to use a thermostat that doesn't need it or pull a new wire. Most of the ecobees come with an adaptor to not require the wire and some of the Nest thermostats also do not need the wire (but still recommend it). Otherwise you just turn off power, unscrew the old one , disconnect the wires and reconnect to the new thermostat.

Also not every thermostat is compatible with every type of HVAC system so you need to check before you pick one.

paleo2002 t1_j10g6uv wrote on December 20, 2022 at 7:39 PM

Perhaps in the near future I should set up one of these home energy consults with PSE&G. They could probably advise on what type of thermostat would be compatible and whether I need some wiring work done.

Also, because I don't know where else to put this . . .

I've got a Mitsubishi mini-split A/C system. Mitsubishi offers a wireless smart thermostat solution as an add-on to the base system. It is expensive, requires professional installation, and the equipment is backordered due to supply chain issues, etc. However, I came across a simpler third-party solution. They're called Flair Pucks. They're basically wall-mounted IR remote controls that integrate with a wi-fi enabled hub and/or smart thermostat.

murphydcat t1_j10km79 wrote on December 20, 2022 at 8:07 PM

PSE&G gave me a free Google Nest thermostat but when I tried installing it, I learned that my apt lacks a C wire. I was able to sell the Nest for $50 though.

Danitay t1_j10hmoa wrote on December 20, 2022 at 7:48 PM

The Honeywell is so much better

paleo2002 t1_j10qdkj wrote on December 20, 2022 at 8:44 PM

I'm doing just fine with them, true. Each has 4 "set points" for weekdays and 4 for weekends.

But, it would be nice if they were easier to program and I didn't have to do each floor separately. For example, my house is usually occupied throughout the day. But, if we were really all going to be out all day, turning down the heat just that day would be useful.