Re: Thermostat recommendations?

[mcbill20@xxxxxxxxx]

I put one of these in myself a little over a year ago. I loked at quite
a few models but finally went with an RC-122 thermostat from HAI. I
have had no problems at all with it.

The features that made me decide on this one were:

- Serial port connection (this one can also do RS-485 I think)
- Compatible with their Omni series home automation controllers (I want
to get one when I can afford it).
- Can display outside temperature (either with external sensor or
update from the computer).

Their protocol isn't that difficult, and if you are connecting it to a
PC they have a program you can use so you don't have to write any code.


I bought it from Worthington Distribution (http://www.worthdist.com).
Their prices are good and their service is excellent.

BTW, unless you have a two stage furnace, you don't need this model--
it's about $40 more for the two stage if I remember correctly.

I hope this helps.

Bill

Bradley Plett wrote:
> I am completely new to the world of home automation.  However, my
> thermostat needs to be replaced, and I would very much like to replace
> it with something that I can program from my PC.  Having said that, I
> don't really know where to begin.  Has anyone got any suggestions for
> me?
>
> Here is a further elaboration of my situation.  I would like,
> eventually, to put controllable dampers or flow controls or whatever
> they're called into the pipes from my furnace/AC so that I can control
> different zones separately.  However, I can't afford that right now.
> So, I want to start by replacing my thermostat, with a view to
> building the system out further if/when I can afford more.
>
> I have done a little reading on the net but it hasn't gotten me a lot
> closer to a solution just yet.  I've read a little about X10 and
> RS-485, but being new to this field, I generally get confused before I
> get very far.  Can someone offer me guidance as to exactly which
> components I'll need to buy now in order to hook up a thermostat to my
> PC and be able to control it?
>
> Thanks a lot!
> Brad.