Wifi Thermostats

    When you're looking for a Wifi Thermostat for your home there are now many choices with prices ranging from $100 to $300 dollars. I've been installing the Honeywell Visionpro Wifi® for a few years now and what I like about it is the large display and generally user friendly interface. Honeywell has now introduced with the Wifi Smart Thermostat®  which has advanced features but as far as I can tell doesn't do a whole lot more for the extra money.

    If you want something small and modern looking that will blend into the architecture of your home or office you'll want to take a look at the Nest® Thermostat. These are beautifully designed, on the higher end of the price range at $249 for the 2nd Generation and they are "Learning" thermostats with Activity Sensors, Humidity Sensor, 3 Temperature Sensors and Weather Aware that uses the Wifi connection to keep an eye on weather and adjusts the inside temperature based in part on what's happening outside.

    All the Wifi thermostats I've used connect to the internet through your home or office Wifi system where information is routed to a company server somewhere. Honeywell and Nest both have a free app that can be used to control your system remotely after you set up an account. I wish they both had a web-server built-in but so far this is not happening.

    One important note: All Wifi thermostats need a "C" or Common wire at the thermostat. Nest claims that most of the time their thermostats don't need it but the internet is loaded with complaints claiming they do. Play it safe and plan on using a Common wire. If you have a newer thermostat chances are you have a Common. If you have an older thermostat you may not have a wire connected but may have enough wires run to the thermostat to hook up the Common wire in the furnace then at the thermostat.
    If the directions below sound easy enough to follow go ahead and give it a shot, if even the idea of changing out your thermostat gives you anxiety call a friend or a professional that can handle the job. If you do attempt the installation please don't hold me accountable for the results, this is the internet, I'm here to help, but I can't magically reach through the screen and do it for you.

Wiring up the thermostats is simple:
1. Turn off the power to your system at the circuit breaker or at the equipment itself.
2. Remove your old thermostat from the wall, it usually snaps into place, some have screws that need to be removed.
3. Take a picture of the wiring and labels on your old thermostat.
4. Remove the sub-base of the old thermostat.
5. Take a look at how the new thermostat will fit on the wall and paint/ fill holes as necessary or use the included wall plate (Nest only) to cover the old thermostat location.
6. Mount the new sub-base to the wall. Use a level, Nest has one built in.
7. Connect the wiring using the picture you took in step 3.
8. Install the new thermostat on its sub-base.
9. Turn the power back on to your system.
10. Use the enclosed instructions to configure your system and connect it to your Wifi system.

    It can take a few days to get comfortable with the web interface of your new thermostat but having remote access to your system can be a great tool for shutting things down after you've left for the weekend and forgot to turn the system off or to heat up the ski cabin on your way up the mountain. I have to admit the first time I used one of these thermostats I was giddy and couldn't stop messing with the interface on my smartphone. The giddy-ness wore off but I still find the technology AMAZING!