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Technology and Internet Emerging and current tech related issues. Internet, DRM, IP, and other technology related discussions. |
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#1
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Anyone installed smart thermostat (Nest, Smart Si)?
I am contemplating installing one of these smart thermostat so not only I can control it using my Android phone, but also use the "smart" features such as detecting if anyone is at home or not, etc.
There are two of the most popular unit: - Nest - Smart Si Anyone installed one of these? I am not exactly Tim the Tool Man when it comes to home improvement, so I am also wondering how easy it is to install one of these. NEST: Smart Si |
#2
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one of my buddies got the nest, hes always screwing with it at work he loves it you can see all sorts of stat how much you have ran your ac, how much your saving in energy cost and other things im sure you already know and as far as install its just a couple of screws and all the wire connectors are color coded so you cant really screw it up unless you try, and if you still dont know how you can always check youtube!
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#8
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I love my 1gen Nest thermostat. However please keep in mind it's not compatible with high voltage wires, only 24v. Refer to www.nest.com to look at training videos
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#9
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Nope. My parents have nest in their house and love it. I got it for my dad during last deployment for his birthday. They've had no issues. His favorite part is that he can set the air before he drives home so it's the perfect temperature when he gets there. Lol
Both of my parents and I have used our various iPads and iPhones to controlmitmdo connections shouldn't be an issue. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD |
#10
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I have a nest 2nd gen and love it! Love that i can control it from anwhere, no 2nd stat needed upstairs! And yes it is very easy to install and requires very minamal tools! You can check online if its compatible with your unit before you buy. They even email you a wiring diagram.
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Don't hate the breed, hate the deed!!! |
#11
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We have the nest in our weekend home. It is great during the winter firing up the furnace a few hours before we get there so the home is warm.
During the winter we set the away temp at 40 degrees. Just one caution. Be sure to disconnect the power to the heater before you install the thermostat. Otherwise you might blow the fuse on the heater circuit board.
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David |
#12
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Not worth it in my opinion. Very cool none the less.
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#13
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What is the security like for these? Do you need a pc based web account + the phone (which in combo then acts as 2-factor security) or is it JUST the phone?
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Video games are for when you need to escape from reality. Responsible firearm ownership is for when you can't. Texas Security Guard Jobs |
#14
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Don't hate the breed, hate the deed!!! |
#15
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I am planning to just turn off the AC/Heater from the circuit breaker. Or do I have to actually disconnect the power on the unit itself?
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#16
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#18
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You create an account on their website, then connect the Nest to that. Each device needs connected to that. I also have my router set up with a white list for MAC addresses, so if I don't give you access you don't get on my network.
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#19
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Those who have Nest, can you help me on this:
I bought the Nest and installed it per the video and the manual that came with it. I double checked that the right cables goes to the right letters (Y1, Y2, etc.). My Nest account shows the following: - Heat Source: Unknown - Heating Type: Forced Air However, with the Nest, my HVAC ONLY provide heating, no more AC (cooling). Even when I set the temperature to 50 degrees, only hot air is blowing. If I put back my thermostat, then cool air will work. Please advise what I can do with this. I believe Nest is compatible with my system since my place was built in 2009 and this is the information provided by the condo technician: Heating and cooling for units provided by 2 ton 13 steer, split system heat, pump units, carrier compressor with reversing valves which are located on the roof. This information was provided by our maintenance staff. |
#20
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away mode is amazing. It senses if anyone is walking past it, turns the AC to away temp if it detects no movement after a set amount of time. Overriding any pre programmed temp. It runs the fan after the AC is off to scavenge some extra cooling without the AC compressor running. My significant other was a constant thermostat fiddler and the nest was even able to learn her wacky heating and cooling needs. The whole "playing with the temp remotely" thing wears off after awhile, but the Nest will keep humming along doing it's job. |
#21
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The ecobee has a superior interface, I have only used the ems and ems si. Same portal. I guess it's kinda like iPad vs droid.. Both awesome technologies. Did you end up with the nest? Anyone else play with the ecobees?
I have about 50 installed at 10 sites.
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#22
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Is anyone using the Honeywell Smart?: http://reviews.cnet.com/appliances/h...-35663091.html
I've read that the Honeywell is more accurate than the Nest in regards to temperature. Has anyone had issues with Nest's accuracy? |
#23
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lanwarrior:
I have the crappy 3m filtrete one (its a radiothermostat rebrand), works fine for me because all i want is to use the app so i can control it from bed, on the road, etc.. i dont use the ac often, maybe few times a year when its blisteringly hot, but i do use the central fan once in a while.. either way, dont need all the 'smart' features that the nest, ecobee, honey well offer. so if you're in the same boat, you can get that 3m filtrete one for like $100 |
#25
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We don't use our HVAC much but I do wish I had bought a wifi-enabled thermostat. Not a "smart" thermostat but for about $100 you can get a traditional 7-day deal that has wifi.
Really depends on your usage. |
#26
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I switched to a solar power provider [saving about 50{teir1}-225{tier3}/month) instead of trying to save money via tweaking a thermostat. I never hit tier-2 with Edison, use my air all I want, and when the Zombies come I could rewire the panels for off-grid usage. I couldn't afford a solar system, so saving a bunch every month... especially during the hot months, paying non-Edison even less is a blessing!
I know if you have an alarm system that supports it, you can get something like X-10 (Z-Wave I think Honeywell calls it) and this seems to be the big thing these days... |
#27
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I like the idea of being able to remotely control my thermostat from my couch, but I don't like the idea of it using "the cloud" or some externally hosted company's interface. I'd rather have it be able to be run 100% internal, or from my phone which can VPN to home. |
#28
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I'll add more info as to why a "cloud" connected thermostat concerns me: If I was a sophisticated crime organization, I would attempt to exploit any companies hosting this sort of technology. The database of the settings of these thermostats would give me a list of homes to rob that are away (thermostats store SSIDs, Google and others have databases of SSID/BSSIDs mapped to LAT/LON coordinates). Then I'd have minions recruited to go after the targets. Criminals are just as connected if we are, otherwise they'd not be able to pull of things like this $45MM ATM heist in 26 countries.
You have a home alarm system? It better be well hidden with a battery backup and cell module, and not reliant on your local phone lines, cable modem, or mains power. Smart bad guys will just go and flip the mains power off, slice your phone lines and cable. Oh, and cell phone jamming tech isn't that hard to come by either ($100-500), so hopefully you have a neighbor who will check in on things when the audible alarm goes off. You have dogs? Nothing a hot dog and sleeping pills won't fix. Yes, I wear a tin foil hat, for a living, hah. Oh, and if you have a smart meter, you should ask your electric/gas/water company how they secure their wireless networks. Someone passively listening can easily determine homes where the residents are away - but at least in this case your have to have geographically dispersed listening points near the collection access points. Having said that, any of these thermostat solutions work on just locally hosted-thermostat-based server that doesn't require the cloud at all? |
#32
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so these could be hacked and used to find out if anyone is at home? don't like, just turn off the switch to conserve energy. well... then on the other hand maybe they could be used to publish misinformation, ie someone is home.
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Protect public lands access http://www.backcountryhunters.org/ Last edited by Hunt; 12-07-2013 at 3:55 PM.. |
#33
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Someone would need to have your Nest account info to access the device, or have access to your network. Lock your sh*t up and it's not an issue. I keep my wireless router on a whitelist, so if the MAC address isn't listed, you don't get on. I also don't broadcast my network name.
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#34
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I have a Nest. The chances of someone using it to see if you're home are nill.
Seriously, bad guys just look in your windows or knock on the door.
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Sent from Free America |
#35
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Billofrights, just wanted to let you know that neither mac filtering nor non-broadcasting ssids are security measures.
Mac spoofing is easy because all WiFi traffic sends unencrypted mac address that can be snatched up and programmed into anyones computer. And non broadcast isn't really what it implies, a simple WiFi analyzer app for android can see all networks no matter what. The only thing that will protect you is Wpa2 encryption. Or getting rid of WiFi completely. |
#36
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As always, have layered defense if you can. I have multiple IP based cameras, 2 Internet connections and UPS's to deter somebody breaking to my home. And a dog.... |
#37
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However, current home based wireless router is not really build for security, but more of convenience. I myself use a Meraki MR series. |
#38
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Have the Wifi enabled $100 Honeywell from Costco.
The app is very straightforward and the interface is simple. Very quick to respond to overrides or temp adjustments. It doesn't learn anything but doesn't have to in my house. Set my weekday and weekend preferred temps and its been solid. No more gf kicking me out of bed to adjust temp at 2am = priceless. Worth the price I paid, can't justify a Nest. |
#40
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I was excited about this too, but now I'm not sure. Carbon monoxide detectors shut down after 7 years so that you have to replace them. For a $30 unit, fine, but paying $129 for a Nest one and having to replace them every 7years? Don't know if I want to do that or not. |
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