Re: Thermostat recommendations?

["Brett Griffin" <brett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well it really depends on what you are hooking up to the thermostat.  If you
are using an HAI Omni system the HAI tstat makes sense.  April Air get the
votes for looking the best, and I dont know much about RCS.

They all can connect to a PC.

The only other concern would be cost.  I think the HAI RC-80 Single stage
thermostat will be the cheapest of the bunch.

--
Brett Griffin, Technology Consultant

Architechtronics, Inc.
get to know home technologyT
p. (610) 825.7018 f (215) 827.5484

*top 10 reasons to use Architechtronics for your next project
http://www.architechtronics.com/top10.html

**keep up on cutting-edge technology... join "the EDGE" for free at
http://www.architectronics.com/edge.html

-------------------------------------------


"Bradley Plett" <plettb@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:5eakb119k90q9fmp22fjbrs5hol2croo0m@xxxxxxxxxx
> OK, this post was very helpful!  Now I'm wondering if I can get some
> pros and cons of the different options.  For example, what are the
> pros/cons of the HAI vs. the Aprilaire vs. the RCS?
>
> I'm not particularly interested in the one that has a web server
> built-in.  Also, I would assume that even if the thermostat can't
> control different zones, if I ran everything from my PC that wouldn't
> be a problem, since I could program the different zones myself.  Any
> more thoughts?
>
> Thanks!
> Brad.
>
> On 21 Jun 2005 09:01:10 -0700, "Mark Thomas" <mrt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>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.
>>
>>For easy single-point PC control, you can get an IP thermostat with a
>>built-in web server like the Proliphix
>>(http://www.proliphix.com/pro_products_consumer.html). Instant PC
>>access, but you have to run Cat5 to your thermostat location.
>>
>>You could also get a direct-RS232 or RS-485 controlled unit. One
>>example is the HAI RC Series
>>(http://www.hometech.com/modules/therm.html#HAI). Another example is
>>the Aprilaire 8870
>>(http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/Climate/aprilaire/Aprilaire-Communicating/Item/8870/).
>>These get quite expensive if you want zone control, as you have to by
>>the HAI Omni or an Aprilaire system controller to do this (and I think
>>only certain Omnistats work with zoned systems).
>>
>>But what might be a good fit for you is the RCS series
>>(http://www.resconsys.com/products/stats/serial.htm). It uses your
>>existing thermostat wire to communicate from the thermostats to an
>>included controller, so it's easy to retrofit. But it is easy and
>>cost-effective to grow it into a full zoned system with automatic
>>damper control. Be careful when buying from places like Smarthome--they
>>only sell the thermostats in a bundle with a controller. I've seen
>>people buy 6 sets from Smarthome, and then they have a stack of five
>>extra unused controllers. Find a place where you can buy the Wall
>>Display Units separately (i.e. Worthington, $75) and a separate zone
>>controller ($150-300 depending on number of zones and communication
>>options). Lots of home control software (including the free
>>MisterHouse) can interface with an RCS system.
>>
>>Hope this helps.
>>
>>- Mark.
>