Best Wi-Fi Thermostat Used For Only Remote Operation

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

The owner doesn’t need a Nest; learning feature not wanted. Since they are often out of town, they just want the function of turning the heating on remotely.

Also, there's only two wires running to the thermostats in this house. I've managed a work-around previously on Nest stats by jumpering the "C" terminal with the "W" terminal on the zone valve control which will power up the thermostat during an "off" cycle. Ideally, this will work on another brand of stat.

Jamie Hall

Maybe… sometimes… I'd sure want a more robust power supply…

hot_rod

I’ve been using Ecobee in my places, super simple to set up and operate, good support and training videos

I would follow their advice for 2 wire applications

https://support.ecobee.com/s/articles/My-thermostat-has-only-two-wires-Am-I-compatible-with-ecobee?language=en_US

HVACNUT

Honeywell RedLink has a 2 wire WiFi thermostat that uses an interface.

ratio

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1901296#Comment_1901296

Almost. The 8000 series RedLINK wireless models can be powered over 2 wires & talks to an equipment module over RedLINK, but they'll need a RedLINK to wired Ethernet gateway to get to the internet. This setup works very well.

There is a 8000 WiFi model—but it doesn't have RedLINK, so it's wired as normal (and no remote sensors).

IIRC the 9000 series is always a RedLINK equipment module and two power wires, but I don't have much experience with these.

109A_5

" I've managed a work-around previously on Nest stats by jumpering the
"C" terminal with the "W" terminal on the zone valve control which will
power up the thermostat during an "off" cycle. Ideally, this will work
on another brand of stat. "

Without the resistor this sound like a smoke show.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

"Without the resistor this sound like a smoke show."

Nothing gets by you @109A_5. My jumper was the resistor.

ratio

Just for something to think about, I've got a few Z-wave thermostats installed (Honeywell 6000 series) that I can access & program remotely via Home Assistant.

Home Assistant & OpenHAB (the other big open source player) are home automation platforms. They fill the gap between something like the Honeywell thermostat dashboard and a full-on BMS/EMS. Overkill if all you want to do is start the AC a few hours before you get there, but they can integrate with lots of devices and automate anything that those devices do. I've got a few temp sensors scattered through the building (it's a church), I get email alerts if they go out of range. I'm working on supervising the pneumatic controls & boiler, those will be emailing faults as well.

J. WALTER BOOTH

not for nothing but if all they want to do is turn the heat on and off and they still have a phone at the location

they could consider a FREEZE ALARM from control products. been using one for over 20 years

you can set up two t-stats or just one and let the buiding go cold, it will call you if the power goes off, if the temp goes above or below a set temp and it can call up to three people if needed.

again this experience from the back woods of canada where there still not wi fi or internet just old school

way to do stuff

Wellness

Shelly USA has DIN-rail units with relays, proper web UI, and NO/NC contacts. Also sells a full fledged t-stat if that's what you'd prefer

TAG

The original Sensi 55 will work on battery alone as will a couple of the nests. The reason most will not is because of the wifi's need for power. That said the batteries not lasting is the issue with those that will work on battery and have Wifi —- the first thing to go is the wifi control as the batteries drop in power.

I really like the various Sensi models and have switched over all my setups to them where traditional (not manufacturer communicating) thermostats can be used. The "lite" and "touch" are both very nice but require a "c"

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

I gave my customer a choice between using Ecobee stats along with a common maker and Nest stats with remote sensors and he went with the Nest. The Ecobee would take care of the three wired stats, but not the wireless. The Nest option replaces all 4 stats.