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Thermostats w/ Device Usage Log Feature

nbeauregard
nbeauregard Member Posts: 3
in Thermostats and Controls

Hello,

I'm currently in search of smart thermostat options that come with integrated device/usage log capabilities. Most models appear to require the use of a phone app. to retrieve this data, however I'm looking for options where you can review system usage history on the thermostat itself. So far, Nest appears to be the only option with this capability. If there's any other options I should consider, I'd greatly appreciate your feedback.

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,452

    Not to famalier with that option but maybe Ecobee.

  • jesmed1
    jesmed1 Member Posts: 1,211

    I have two Ecobees running two oil boilers, and love them. You cannot get run time off the thermostat itself, unfortunately. You must use either the phone app or a web-based computer app called beestat.io.

    But I would still highly recommend the Ecobee. Extremely well designed and thought out, and the monitoring apps are terrific. I would not recommend the Nest as it does not allow the user to program some important parameters like swing (differential). Also, we've had numerous reports here of users having problems trying to wire their Nests correctly.

    nbeauregard
  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,906

    Nest doesn't allow you to set the swing??? That's ridiculous. I'm sure they come pre-programmed for steam systems though, right? (/sarcasm)

    When I replaced my electronic thermostat with a plain old mechanical Honeywell thermostat, I neglected to set the swing (or anticipator, as they call it), and the default was pretty far from ideal, so being able to adjust the swing seems like a pretty basic thing for even the least adequate thermostat.

    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
  • jesmed1
    jesmed1 Member Posts: 1,211
    edited March 19
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1848966#Comment_1848966

    It's true that earlier versions of Nest did not allow users to set the swing. I researched both Nest and ecobee before selecting the ecobee, and one of the main reasons I chose ecobee is that Nests at that time did not allow the user to set the swing.

    However, apparently the newest Nest 4th Gen models do allow users to set the swing now. Nest calls it the "maintenance band" instead of swing, or differential. I'm linking the following answer from Google/Nest re their "maintenance band" for any future readers of this thread:

    https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9233450?hl=en

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 10,319

    Have you looked at Tekmar?

    Just about every one out there will require that you find the log on the internet somewhere. I mean, why wouldn't you want that on the internet anyway?

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    nbeauregard
  • nbeauregard
    nbeauregard Member Posts: 3

    My company owns and manages several apartment communities. We'll experience challenges when asking the residents to use their phone app. to review usage history. For our application, reviewing this data directly off the thermostat is a more ideal situation. It's looking like we may have no choice, but to change with the times and figure out a way to make the app based data work.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,836
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1849823#Comment_1849823

    do you want the residents to use this to pay the bill?

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