Smart thermostats

[yyonah]

My gas utility, National Grid, has some Black Friday deals on smart thermostats, with various models of Google Nest, Emerson Sensi, and ecobee being offered. My electric utility, PSEG-LI, pays you to let them control your central AC settings at peak demand times ($85 the first year and $25 in succeeding years).

My house has 15-year-old builder's specials thermostats, so I'm thinking of replacing them. One concern I have is that I saw a video review of a Google Nest that said its display is proximity activated. I'm concerned that this would be a Shabbos problem. Also, I've seen complaints in Amazon reviews about smart thermostats being inaccurate, showing temperatures that are several degrees off, and that customer support is really bad. So I'm looking for comments from people who are users of smart thermostats.

[Sowhat]

National Gridd, too.  I would be interested in useful features to look for--wifi access not as much--and what the practical differences are between them.  Thanks.

[yyonah]

I should have googled smart thermostats Shabbos first. I found this, a little bit dated but helpful.
https://www.dansdeals.com/more/dans-commentary/smart-thermostat-get-cyber-monday-experiences-trying-find-perfect-one/

[thaber]

Ecobee is shabbos friendly, @TribeTechReview can help, there's a thread somewhere.
In my opinion, they're better than nest anyway

[Sowhat]

After reading Dan's post and understanding only part of, I am asking myself why I need any of those.  Remote adjustments is nice.  The rest, not sure?

[yyonah]

I read Dov's posts on tribetechreview.com, and it seems that the Ecobee3-Lite is the only one offered by National Grid that's relatively easy to be made Shabbos compatible. Unlike Dan, I don't need my thermostat to tell me what time it is and what the outdoor temperature is (I have a watch for the former and an indoor/outdoor thermometer for the latter). But it seems that the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 (successor to the RTH9580WF mentioned in Dov's post) is the most Shabbos compatible simply because it's not as "smart" as the others -- it doesn't have the sensors that cause the Shabbos problems. Unfortunately, it's not offered by National Grid, but it seems that it's eligible for a $75 rebate for from National Grid. Also it does qualify for the PSEG-LI Smart Savers program. It's $99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Lowe's. One thing to be aware of is that most smart thermostats require a C-wire. Check your existing thermostat to see if there's a C-wire. If not, there might be a simple fix which is beyond the scope of my post.

[Joel]

From @Dan review I understand he used the older version of the rooms sensor
 https://www.bestbuy.com/site/ecobee-remote-sensors-2-pack-white/1210019.p?skuId=1210019

While the new one I am not sure it will be shabbos friendly?
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/ecobee-smartsensor-2-pack-white/6339178.p?skuId=6339178

[ExGingi]

I personally got an Ecobee to replace one thermostat, and a Honeywell for the other. Ecobee needed Dan's black tape solution for Shabbos. Honewell no issue. The biggest reasons for me switching from my decades-old thermostats were the ability to set an auto mode which will automatically switch from heating to cooling and vice versa, as well as the ability to control remotely from my phone. I actually find the Honeywell to be more flexibile and intuitive than the Ecobee.

[Joel]

From @Dan review I understand he used the older version of the rooms sensor
 https://www.bestbuy.com/site/ecobee-remote-sensors-2-pack-white/1210019.p?skuId=1210019

While the new one I am not sure it will be Shabbos friendly?
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/ecobee-smartsensor-2-pack-white/6339178.p?skuId=6339178

Bump?

[nucheiner]

I read Dov's posts on tribetechreview.com, and it seems that the Ecobee3-Lite is the only one offered by National Grid that's relatively easy to be made Shabbos compatible. Unlike Dan, I don't need my thermostat to tell me what time it is and what the outdoor temperature is (I have a watch for the former and an indoor/outdoor thermometer for the latter). But it seems that the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 (successor to the RTH9580WF mentioned in Dov's post) is the most Shabbos compatible simply because it's not as "smart" as the others -- it doesn't have the sensors that cause the Shabbos problems. Unfortunately, it's not offered by National Grid, but it seems that it's eligible for a $75 rebate for from National Grid. Also it does qualify for the PSEG-LI Smart Savers program. It's $99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Lowe's. One thing to be aware of is that most smart thermostats require a C-wire. Check your existing thermostat to see if there's a C-wire. If not, there might be a simple fix which is beyond the scope of my post.

C-wire workaround is relatively easy with ecobee. They provide a piece which you install in your furnace. Excellent customer service when you install it incorrectly (and keep blowing the fuse) to guide you.

[steroplasma]

I spoke with my oil company and he said a smart thermostat wouldn't be compatibe with my old boiler from the 80's they are just not made to go through so many on and off cycles per hour as the newer boiler s anyone here of this ?