Scheduling of temperature based on time of day and day of week.
I’ve researched some of these thermostats recently and here’s a summary of the information I’ve found.
The Aprilaire 8570 (shown above) meets all of the basic requirements for which I was searching and has a large display that makes it easy to program. For basic scheduling, auto heat/cool mode switching, and outside temperature sensing, this is the best thermostat I’ve found. Price: about $120.
The RCS X10 was my initial first choice, but after preliminary research, I found that it has no scheduling feature! Sure, you can raise and lower the temperature from an X10 remote device, but it doesn’t have any built-in automatic scheduling. I you are one of those people with advanced home automation system, you can use that to automate the thermostat settings. For me, this is a complicated and potentially troublesome combination. I’d rather have the thermostat itself taking care of all of the scheduling, not a computer or external controller. I think the Proliphix is a much better option and it can also be controlled over the network (many home automation controllers are capable.) I’m glad I didn’t purchase the first thermostat I found. Price: about $200.
The Aprilaire 3020t Communicating Thermostat has most of the features of the Proliphix NT20e, but it requires a central control until. The thermostat cost about $200. . . but the controller unit is another $800. This is way to expensive for my needs, and offers many multi-zone control features I’d never use. But if you have a multi-zone system, this may be a pretty descent option.
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While it has no built-in functionality for scheduling, that really is not a problem for home automation setups. Anyone using home automation products will already have some type of central controller. I use one from X10. For only $50, I can program it easily from my computer (it connects via USB). My computer doesn’t have to be on and the battery backup keeps the programming on the device protected from power outages. The software also allows me to make a backup file on the computer of my configuration. Now, I control my sprinkler system via X10 using a sprinkler control system that is dumb (no onboard scheduling software) and have infinite possibilities of control with my sprinkler system. I control the lights in my home. With the same $50 central controller and the software on my computer, I can control my home heating and cooling with infinite scheduling possibilities.
Could you share the model numbers of the X10 elements you mention here?
I use ActiveHome Pro software with the CM15A USB controller. It works very well for me. For sprinkler system control via my X10 controller, I use a Rain8 II (http://www.wgldesigns.com/rain8.html). I also use a V572 whole house transceiver from http://www.wgldesigns.com/ for better X10 wireless range. For heating/cooling, I have an RCS TX15 X10 controllable thermostat that I picked up used on eBay for about ~$60. I use various different X10 light switches, lamp modules, and motion sensors within my home to control the lighting. I have a few plug-in noise filters and use a BoosterLinc to amplify my X10 powerline signals and a phase coupler from SmartHome that plugs into my downstairs dryer 220v outlet to couple the phases of my electrical system.
I love the low-cost and flexibility that X-10 technology provides.
It’s worth having a look at http://www.heatmiser.co.uk/ for individual room programmable stats controlable via touch screen, sms etc.
Check out http://www.getemme.com/ for a WiFi enabled thermostat with weather forecasting and multiple remote sensors. It’s not for sale yet, but I have been waiting years for something like it. The technology exists, it’s just a matter of someone putting it all together.
I’m looking for a thermostat that has >4 settings available per day. Our MBR is on the second story, and has it’s own furnace. At night, we set the thermostat to 60 deg. When the furnace kicks on for the first time in the morning, it consistently overshoots the mark. I believe that the thermo calls for heat and the air in the room doesn’t circulate fast enough to get back to the thermostat to tell it to shut off. Thus, it keeps calling for heat even though most of the room feels like it is 68 deg.
What I’d like to do is program a thermostat to come on at 6:00am, and go to 64 deg. Then at 6:15 I’d have it jump the rest of the way to 68 degrees.
Doug, I haven’t looked at this in a while. My HAI Omnistat thermostat can do this, but it’s a bit expensive if not integrating it with a home automation system. Nest seems to be a pretty good option as well, but I have no experience with it.