Smart thermostat

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by dpg

Hi would like to look into controlling our heat with a “smart thermostat” specifically starting the heat on the way up in the winter. The house doesn’t even have internet yet getting that soon. Doing some researching apparently some old furnaces don’t play well with this setup. Well there’s the possible problem the furnace is literally probably 40 hrs old!!! Who deals with these things and can set me up if possible would that be an electrician? Any suggestions for someone who maybe specializes in such things? I know the nest won’t work wondering if I have other options.. thanks..

If you only did weekends, you could use a 5-2 programmable.
And is the furnace in good shape or at the end of its life?

[Descant]

I used to call my 30 something son with such questions. Now, he says call my nephew (my grandson). He's 11 and knows everything. I'm impressed that Upthesaukee (my contemporary) did it all. C'mon Dave, did the kids help?

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Descant

I used to call my 30 something son with such questions. Now, he says call my nephew (my grandson). He's 11 and knows everything. I'm impressed that Upthesaukee (my contemporary) did it all. C'mon Dave, did the kids help?

It's a miracle, it's a miracle!

Descant, not difficult at all. The only early teenagers or younger in my area have graduated from HS, and my youngest grandchild has her driver's license. They would probably say "suck it up buttercup, and RTIA. (Read The Instructions Again) ".

Dave

[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

If you only did weekends, you could use a 5-2 programmable.

Useless for a vacation home.

I've had Smart (Wifi) Thermostats since 2003.

I have a GPS Reminder on my phone that tells me (with Voice over the Car Radio) to turn on the heat at the Lake (via Nest) when we pass the Hooksett/Common Man Stop.

One of these days I'll automate it so that it just does it on it's own (pretty easy actually)
Turn on Heat (or AC) at the Lake if we are within 50 miles of the lake house and off if outside 60 miles (to avoid bounce).

[FlyingScot]

Nests work great if you have the wiring, and it really does take just a few minutes to install. If you go to their website, they will probably have an easy diagram that you can compare to your current wires.

I would be concerned about a 40 yo furnace on the reliability front. Your problem is that failure is VERY expensive if you do not have backup and/or repair before your insulation can no longer hold back the cold. And of course, you also need an alarm to warn you when furnace has failed.

Now might be a good time to replace furnace, or even better get heat pumps. Deals available from NHEC, and maybe from Build Back Better if it passes

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by mswlogo

Useless for a vacation home.

I've had Smart (Wifi) Thermostats since 2003.

I have a GPS Reminder on my phone that tells me (with Voice over the Car Radio) to turn on the heat at the Lake (via Nest) when we pass the Hooksett/Common Man Stop.

One of these days I'll automate it so that it just does it on it's own (pretty easy actually)
Turn on Heat (or AC) at the Lake if we are within 50 miles of the lake house and off if outside 60 miles (to avoid bounce).

Not really. If you know that you will vacation every weekend, and don't want to replace the old furnace... the unit is very simple in nature and will hold the lower temperature all week and then increase it on the week end.
A seven day option may be more desirable if the schedule is a bit different.
But it may be the only choice without a furnace upgrade.

[Slickcraft]

Nest 2 wire hookup:

Some “smart” thermostats are not really all that smart and require a third “common” wire so that continuous power is supplied to the thermostat even when there is a call for heat.

For only 2 wires Nest has a rechargeable battery that charges when there in no call for heat using the 24V open circuit voltage. When there is a call for heat the 2 wires are “short circuited” sending the 24V to the boiler or furnace control module. While there is a call for the heat the Nest runs on battery. When the call for heat ends, back to recharging. Pretty simple.

Lots of video help on hookup:
https://www.onehoursmarthome.com/blo...-2-wire-hookup

Our 30-year-old home has 3 zones all with 2 wire thermostats. We recently had a modern boiler installed that was setup for 2 wire thermostats. Rewiring the thermostats for 3 wire would not be easy as in most homes. So it makes sense that Nest has a 2 wire solution.

[John Mercier]

Good to know.

[TheProfessor]

"No C-wire? Install a Nest thermostat at your own risk"

LINK

[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

"No C-wire? Install a Nest thermostat at your own risk"

LINK

This is a more robust solution to no C-wire for Nest. Basically you add a local 24V power near the thermostat. It's just more convenient if you have a C wire.

https://store.google.com/product/nes...ector?hl=en-US

[LakeTimes]

and for those that have Electric heat - they now have smart thermostats. Used to just be 24v which Nest and Ecobee take care of, but now they have come out with ones that work with high / "InLine" voltage (120v or 240v). Literally just ordered 8 Mysa's last week as they just launched their V2 in September and are having a Thanksgiving Sale.

For those that are interested:
https://getmysa.com/

[persamp]

I have 2 Nests at my home in MA and 2 more at my place at the lake. In MA, they are 2 wire (heat only) installations. For one zone, I needed to use a resistor to jump between the red wire and common power input on the zone control board. The other worked fine without the resistor (different zone valves - I don't know why...they pre-date my ownership)

In NH, I needed to connect the c-wire to the air handler and T-stat - luckily, the t-stat cables each had an extra wire that I could use for the c-wire connection.

If you live in MA, you can get a great deal on Nest T-stats through Mass Save.

Both setups have been working without issue for 10+ years (MA) and 8+ years (NH)

[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by LakeTimes

and for those that have Electric heat - they now have smart thermostats. Used to just be 24v which Nest and Ecobee take care of, but now they have come out with ones that work with high / "InLine" voltage (120v or 240v). Literally just ordered 8 Mysa's last week as they just launched their V2 in September and are having a Thanksgiving Sale.

For those that are interested:
https://getmysa.com/

I wanted the Nest on my Electric Baseboard. So I did

[chachee52]

https://www.amazon.com/Transformer-T...7MT5VWQN&psc=1

If you don't have the c-wire you can get this as I mentioned before.
My house doesn't have one and this is what I did. It was easier than snaking wire all around to pull it up from the basement.

[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by chachee52

https://www.amazon.com/Transformer-T...7MT5VWQN&psc=1

If you don't have the c-wire you can get this as I mentioned before.
My house doesn't have one and this is what I did. It was easier than snaking wire all around to pull it up from the basement.

Quote from Nest.

“Warning: Some 3rd party C wire adapters can cause problems or damage your Nest thermostat, even if they claim to be Nest compatible. We recommend using a Nest Power Connector to ensure compatibility and best performance with your thermostat.”

Unless the Thermostat has an isolated 24V PAIR of inputs you are asking for trouble. If it depends on a C wire for power you are mixing two 24V systems.

Some thermostats do allow for a simple external power with separate terminals or a jumper. Only use that if the manual clearly states it accepts a separate 24V source. Nest does not.

[tis]

Forget about wiring it. I can't figure out how to set it!!!!!

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by tis

Forget about wiring it. I can't figure out how to set it!!!!!

If you are trying to set it using the device itself, switch to the app. If the app is tricky for you, try the online website on your computer. If that is challenging, try getting the help of a younger family member

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by mswlogo

Quote from Nest.

“Warning: Some 3rd party C wire adapters can cause problems or damage your Nest thermostat, even if they claim to be Nest compatible. We recommend using a Nest Power Connector to ensure compatibility and best performance with your thermostat.”

Unless the Thermostat has an isolated 24V PAIR of inputs you are asking for trouble. If it depends on a C wire for power you are mixing two 24V systems.

Some thermostats do allow for a simple external power with separate terminals or a jumper. Only use that if the manual clearly states it accepts a separate 24V source. Nest does not.

Sorry, just figured all Smart ones were about the same. Maybe this is why I didn't look into the Nest when I was looking into them?