Looking at a RTH8580WF TStat was wondering if I should look at something that’s more specific for Zwave instead.
Is there a plugin for that one? Does it work with Vera? Do you want it to, or was that the question you wanted answered?
yes I do see a plugin for it. Reason I asked is because I need to run a C wire for this TStat. I believe some other Zwave Tstat doesn’t require this.
Any good thermostat will require a “C” wire z-wave or wifi. I wouldn’t let that hold you up. If you don’t have a “C” wire then you need batteries to power it. Things on batteries need more maintenance and don’t report as often or as well since they are trying to conserve battery power.
I personally have a bunch of TRANE z-wave units that I got on ebay for less then 100.00 with the remote sensor options. They require C wire. I had enough wires in wall and was able to just use an empty wire by hooking it up on each end to the 24v common.
There is also an adapter from 4 to 5 wire that’s a few bucks they will save you from running extra wires if you don’t have enough in the wall.
The Nest thermostat does not require a C wire and keeps its lithium battery charged by leeching power. I’ve had one since they came out and it has not been a problem. The new ecobee3 comes with a power extender kit in the box that allows it to operate with only four wires. See [url=http://stevejenkins.com/blog/2014/09/ecobee-3-review/]http://stevejenkins.com/blog/2014/09/ecobee-3-review/[/url].
Some positives of using wi-fi thermostats are that you can access them from native web and mobile interfaces, which can often offer more information and control than through Vera (but see the massive security vulnerability of one older model: [url=http://cybergibbons.com/security-2/heatmiser-wifi-thermostat-vulnerabilities/]http://cybergibbons.com/security-2/heatmiser-wifi-thermostat-vulnerabilities/[/url]). They also provide an alternative remote path to them if your Vera is down or inaccessible. Aside from remote access and Vera support, the features each offers for controlling your HVAC systems are at least a important, as well as ease of use, visual appeal, etc., etc.
watou
Any good thermostat will require a “C” wire z-wave or wifi. I wouldn’t let that hold you up. If you don’t have a “C” wire then you need batteries to power it. Things on batteries need more maintenance and don’t report as often or as well since they are trying to conserve battery power.
I personally have a bunch of TRANE z-wave units that I got on ebay for less then 100.00 with the remote sensor options. They require C wire. I had enough wires in wall and was able to just use an empty wire by hooking it up on each end to the 24v common.
There is also an adapter from 4 to 5 wire that’s a few bucks they will save you from running extra wires if you don’t have enough in the wall.[/quote]
which trane model are you using? sub $100 would leave some funds to by the remote sensor.
I have the honeywell hooked up and working at the moment, but by using the G wire for the C wire I lose the ability to control the fan only.
The Nest looks nice but I don’t think it’s practical for my home because we have small children that’s always home with nanny and I my work schedule is all over the place so the learning feature won’t work well for me.
Any good thermostat will require a “C” wire z-wave or wifi. I wouldn’t let that hold you up. If you don’t have a “C” wire then you need batteries to power it. Things on batteries need more maintenance and don’t report as often or as well since they are trying to conserve battery power.
I personally have a bunch of TRANE z-wave units that I got on ebay for less then 100.00 with the remote sensor options. They require C wire. I had enough wires in wall and was able to just use an empty wire by hooking it up on each end to the 24v common.
There is also an adapter from 4 to 5 wire that’s a few bucks they will save you from running extra wires if you don’t have enough in the wall.[/quote]
which trane model are you using? sub $100 would leave some funds to by the remote sensor.
I have the honeywell hooked up and working at the moment, but by using the G wire for the C wire I lose the ability to control the fan only.
The Nest looks nice but I don’t think it’s practical for my home because we have small children that’s always home with nanny and I my work schedule is all over the place so the learning feature won’t work well for me.[/quote]
I have 7 of the TZEMT500AB32MAA that I bought all off ebay over a year ago from one seller for 90.00 shipped each. He had a bunch at the time but I don’t see them anymore on ebay.
The TEMT400’s don’t have the option for remote sensors.
The sensors I used were also from ebay and are just universal 10k sensor that were 1.00 each.
But do your research first, multiple sensor can not be displayed at once and doesn’t report each seperatly to vera. So there is some limitations with using remote sensors that you should research first.
The TEMT400 can be found on ebay for 70.00 or less and is the same except the extra sensor inputs.
Both require a “C” wire.
If your short a wire in the wall and you can’t seem to pull another wire. This will fix that for 32.00
http://www.amazon.com/Venstar-Add---Wire-Wire-Adapter/dp/B0013LVDQA/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1411625196&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=a%2Fc+5+wire+add
The easy solution (and probley better solution at this time) would be to just add this and call it done.
Not much your going to gain at this point. The TRANE is 70.00 on ebay plus this 32.00. So for about 105.00 you could have everything working, where this probley cost 130-150 and still don’t have the 5 wire setup working yet.
So I guess you might save 30-50 dollars and have all wires hooked up if you switch everything, but since you already have Honeywell in maybe the extra 32.00 is the way to go.
I did find that 4 to 5 wire adapter but one of the note said that I will also lose fan control. It’s essentially the same thing as I have now by swapping the G to C wire. No biggy. i actually went out and purchased some 5 conductor thermostat wire to convert the system. I’m seeing other issues with the honeywell that I posted on another thread.
Any good thermostat will require a “C” wire z-wave or wifi. I wouldn’t let that hold you up. If you don’t have a “C” wire then you need batteries to power it. Things on batteries need more maintenance and don’t report as often or as well since they are trying to conserve battery power.
I personally have a bunch of TRANE z-wave units that I got on ebay for less then 100.00 with the remote sensor options. They require C wire. I had enough wires in wall and was able to just use an empty wire by hooking it up on each end to the 24v common.
There is also an adapter from 4 to 5 wire that’s a few bucks they will save you from running extra wires if you don’t have enough in the wall.[/quote]
Just joined this forum…thanks for the information.
I have a vacation rental where I need a controllable thermostat (via Internet) that also has a door sensor. I’d like to program it to shut down the AC compressor if the door is left open for a predetermined period of time. Obviously I would prefer the the thermostat to be simple for the tenant. Any recommendations are appreciated.
If you already have a vera then the z-wave stat with a wireless door sensor is doabe with some programmming
there is maybe a way, if its only one door switch you are monitoring, i think honeywell make a wifi stat that is commercial use and it has a set of contacts that are for occupied or unoccupied. problem is every time the door opens it would shut all off for 5 minutes (built in delay), could wire a time delay i guess, end up with quite a cluster
That is incorrect, the purpose of the this is allow everything to work, which it does. I thinking your were referencing to one of the pictures which shows the wiring of a 2 wire old system. You have a 4 wire system and need to look at a different diagram.
[quote=“watou, post:5, topic:183133”]Some positives of using wi-fi thermostats are that you can access them from native web and mobile interfaces, which can often offer more information and control than through Vera (but see the massive security vulnerability of one older model: [url=http://cybergibbons.com/security-2/heatmiser-wifi-thermostat-vulnerabilities/]http://cybergibbons.com/security-2/heatmiser-wifi-thermostat-vulnerabilities/[/url]). They also provide an alternative remote path to them if your Vera is down or inaccessible. Aside from remote access and Vera support, the features each offers for controlling your HVAC systems are at least a important, as well as ease of use, visual appeal, etc., etc.
watou[/quote]
This seems to be the only opinions on Zwave vs WIFI thermostat, anyone more info?
From reading that, it sounds like WIFI thermostats with a plug in for vera are superior to Zwave thermostats?
One downside to a WIFI thermostat is that using it with Vera relies on a good Samaritan writing a plug-in and maintaining it. That doesn’t always happen.
Another option is WIFI AND Z-wave. Most Radio Thermostat and affiliated brands offer both via a USNAP module.
I guess it depends on how VERA is controlling the WIFI stat, but if it’s threw an external host then internet down means VERA can not control the thermostat even if they are are on the same network.
Really if you wanted vera to control the thermostat why go threw the hassle of extra plugins and such to do this. Just z-wave and be done. Plugins, wifi, and external hosts just take more work to get the goal.
I have been using both Z-wave thermostats and WiFi thermostats since both product category was released.
Personally, I would recommend going with WiFi T-Stats over Z-wave. And here are the reasons why…
- WiFi t-stats can provide significantly more data versus Z-Wave.
- WiFi t-stat means you are not reliant on Vera to communicate with your t-stat. If you install in a vacation home, and Vera croaks (it happens), you’ll still be able to access the t-stat via its native app or web interface. Which leads me to…
- WiFi t-stat will have its own likely more useful smartphone app, for times where the native Vera interface is inadequate.
- If you ever decide to move up to a different format from Z-wave, your WiFi t-stat will still function.
As long as you buy a WiFi t-stat that already has a good plugin for Vera, you should be just fine. I currently use Nest T-stats, and absolutely love them. Best in the business, in my opinion.
Prior to buying my first Nest, I was running Trane’s t-stats. They were considered pretty much the best out there when I bought them, and never had a problem with them, but the Nest is light years ahead. Watou created an excellent plugin for the Nest. It’s because of him that I upgraded.
To be perfectly honest, as long as you pick a t-stat that has plugin support already, I don’t see much of a downside in picking WiFi versus Z-wave. I guess the only consideration would be your home, and its WiFi coverage, but as long as that’s not an issue, it’s literally not an issue. 
Hope this helps.