Econet Z-Wave Controllable AC/Heating Vents. Vera Forum Group Buy Discount

Other Devices & Integrations Climate Control & Temperature Sensors
41

[quote=“tomgru, post:40, topic:187123”][quote=“slief, post:39, topic:187123”]It looks like we will get these at the $55 price point. Anybody else who has not committed, please double check your sizes and let us know. If you are on the list below and changed your mind, please let us know. If I missed something let me know. Once I have the totals, I will relay the info to Econet. Based on my conversation with them, they will provide us a code to use on their website to place the orders. I will update once I have the totals and make the arrangement with them.

To confirm where we are at:

tomgru
Qty 3 EVR100-4X10BR 6" x 10" Brown (White Module)
Qty 2 EVR100-4X10BR 6" x 10" Brown (Brn Module)[/quote]

Er… NOPE ;D Close (added one more as well.)

Qty 4 EVR100-4X10BR 4" x 10" WHITE (White Module)
Qty 2 EVR100-4X10BR 6" x 10" WHITE (Brn Module)[/quote]
Noted above. Thanks for the heads up.

Where we stand now:

To confirm where we are at:
Slief:
Qty 4 EVR100-6X10BR 6" x 10" Brown (White Module)
Qty 1 EVR100-6X10WH 6" x 12" White

JMarty32 (@$55)
Qty 2 EV100-6X12WH 6" x 12" White

tomgru
Qty 4 EVR100-4X10BR 4" x 10" Brown (White Module)
Qty 2 EVR100-4X10BR 4" x 10" Brown (Brn Module)

McPostal
Qty 7 EV100-6X12BR 6"x12" Brown

kyb2012
Qty 4 EV100-4X10WH
Qty 1 EV100-4X10WH (Brown Module) Prefers brown register if avail.

42

I have 9 of these for the last 2 years.

I’m also missing 6x14 for my two most important zones…making the system not really work as expected.

Regarding a post that mentioned closing these partially will reduce air flow when not closed 100%, it won’t. You need to consider these open or closed as the middle doesn’t really keep 50% of air back…it’s more like 1%.

Also, my main problem is they don’t close completely all the time.

PS - Gotta install a bypass i guess (and will reduce the air vent noise when too many closed). Any diagrams for this?

43

[quote=“AgileHumor, post:42, topic:187123”]I have 9 of these for the last 2 years.

I’m also missing 6x14 for my two most important zones…making the system not really work as expected.

Regarding a post that mentioned closing these partially will reduce air flow when not closed 100%, it won’t. You need to consider these open or closed as the middle doesn’t really keep 50% of air back…it’s more like 1%.

Also, my main problem is they don’t close completely all the time.

PS - Gotta install a bypass i guess (and will reduce the air vent noise when too many closed). Any diagrams for this?[/quote]

Here is a video on installing a bypass damper. It’s very straight forward. The bypass damper should also help when partially closing a vent as it would reduce pressure in the system. I wonder if that has anything to do with why some of yours didn’t close all the way. Have you spoke with Econet about that?
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20504377,00.html

44

[quote=“slief, post:41, topic:187123”]tomgru
Qty 4 EVR100-4X10BR 6" x 10" Brown (White Module)
Qty 2 EVR100-4X10BR 6" x 10" Brown (Brn Module)

McPostal[/quote]

DUDE DUDE DUDE… WHITE 4x10’s!!! 4 with white module, 2 with brown module ;D

45

[quote=“tomgru, post:44, topic:187123”][quote=“slief, post:41, topic:187123”]tomgru
Qty 4 EVR100-4X10BR 6" x 10" Brown (White Module)
Qty 2 EVR100-4X10BR 6" x 10" Brown (Brn Module)

McPostal[/quote]

DUDE DUDE DUDE… WHITE 4x10’s!!! 4 with white module, 2 with brown module ;D[/quote]

It’s been a long stressful morning… Thank god you don’t have to worry about me placing your order! You will get to do that yourself. I could screw up a wet dream right now! LMAO!! I was cutting and pasting and evidently not thinking clearly.

46

[quote=“tomgru, post:44, topic:187123”][quote=“slief, post:41, topic:187123”]tomgru
Qty 4 EVR100-4X10BR 6" x 10" Brown (White Module)
Qty 2 EVR100-4X10BR 6" x 10" Brown (Brn Module)

McPostal[/quote]

DUDE DUDE DUDE… WHITE 4x10’s!!! 4 with white module, 2 with brown module [/quote]

I edited my post. I should have it correct now. Not sure how I screwed the description up but I was copying and pasting while editing part numbers so at least I got part of it right! ;D

47

Quick question on measurement. Am I measuring my previous vent or the opening? Sorry to sound stupid.

48

Yes, the best way to measure is to remove the vent and measure the opening from end to end. By the way, not a stupid question at all. I made the mistake of measuring the outside of my registers when I was first looking at these vents and was corrected by Econet as to the correct way to measure.

49

OK Guys. I spoke with Econet and we have enough vents secured and are good to go at the $55 price point. Once I green light this, I will post the link to the Econet online store along with a discount code here that will be good for a handful of days. You will use that code when your place your order on the Econet site and the discount will be applied to your order. When you place your order, you will have to note in the comments field if you want a different color module.

I figure I will give this another couple days in case there are others that want to take advantage of this great offer. Anybody else who is interested, please post here and let us know what you want so I can add it to the list.

50

I stated before that I am very interested, and I still am. Unfortunately my thermostat - Bryant Evolution Connex WiFi thermostat that came with my new Briant Evolution system, can not be currently controlled via Vera; only via proprietary Bryant app. It is also non-standard which means I can not (or rather should not) replace it with another z-wave thermostat because I will loose a lot of features and diagnostics that original touch screen thermostat provides. Without being able to integrate thermostat control into my Vera, these vents will not provide all the benefits I was hoping for unfortunately. I need a lot of them - probably at least 10 - 15 for my whole house, but making an investment like this without controlling the thermostat is a half-ass solution. So unfortunately I will have to pass for now until there is a plugin for my system.

51

Completely understandable. I am running an Ecobee which is somewhat controllable via Vera. At least until the new plugin becomes available. In the short term, my goal will be just to create an upstairs scene and a down stairs scene that would just control the vents. I will manage the temps through the Ecobee app. At least in the short term. Fortunataly, the Ecobee has an external temp sensor that I can carry with me upstairs or downstairs. While I have multiple temp sensors, I am only going to use the one to start until I get more familiar with the programming. I also don’t use my AC and heat often so just being able to push a button to close or open the upstairs or downstairs vents will be a major improvement in my heating and cooling efficiency. As such, I don’t really care if I Vera controls my temps and vents. Just being able to control my vents is a MAJOR improvement over my current situation which lacks any zone type control at all. I see no need to heat or cool the upstairs when I am downstairs or vice versa. That is just a waste of power and the vents will provide a very good solution to that issue regardless of how I control the temps themselves. That said, it seems to me, you could still really benifit from these vents too even if you are only controlling the vents. You could take it a step further and use geofencing or a beacon to control the zones… Just food for thought.

52

I guess I’m the only one seeing a problem with closing off several vents at a time let along all up stairs or all down stairs vents.

I have a 4 zone system installed by myself. Alot of calculation goes into setting up the system along with extra components like Bypass dampers, and temp sensors in the plenum. Further testing is done after with a static pressure check to make sure inlet and exhaust duct and gill sizing was done right and no restrictions in the system.

If you close off several vents you disrupt the air flow. Pressure builds on the outlet side and airflow slows down threw the coil and heater. When pressure builds you loose efficiency, cause damage to ducts and leaks. When the air slows down the coil starts to freeze, if your heating the heater gets too hot. They are sized to have a certain CFM of air across them.

A zone system has a bypass damper to keep the air moving by opening when the pressure builds and reusing the air again, never slowing it down threw the unit. All zone systems also come with a sensor to monitor temp coming out of the unit to make sure it’s not getting to high or low as a saftey.

The other thing is the system gets noisy when you try to close off half the ducts. In the open ducts air flow speeds up creating noise in the rooms.

For the guys that are trying to buy like 8-10 of these I would suggest you look into how the a/c works a bit more your gonna have problems. For the guys that have one unused room that your closing off, you should see no problem.

53

this is good advice, and I think this is the key point. My plan is to only control a few different vents at a time. I’ve already turned many “down” just by closing off the internal metal damper inside the vent. this gives me control over that. For example, when the slider is open downstairs, close the vent that is right next to it.

When it is night time, i’ll likely close the vent in the office at the front of the house that gets direct sun, and has the most temp requirement for the tstat. …etc etc.

Agree to be careful about closing off an entire floor, etc.

54

I just noticed a problem that will probably stop me from being able to use these. My vents are in the ceiling and use a screw to hold them up there. It doesn’t appear these can be ceiling mounted. I can’t tell based on their website.

55

Watch the video… they show theirs in ceilings using magnets.

56

[quote=“integlikewhoa, post:52, topic:187123”]I guess I’m the only one seeing a problem with closing off several vents at a time let along all up stairs or all down stairs vents.

I have a 4 zone system installed by myself. Alot of calculation goes into setting up the system along with extra components like Bypass dampers, and temp sensors in the plenum. Further testing is done after with a static pressure check to make sure inlet and exhaust duct and gill sizing was done right and no restrictions in the system.

If you close off several vents you disrupt the air flow. Pressure builds on the outlet side and airflow slows down threw the coil and heater. When pressure builds you loose efficiency, cause damage to ducts and leaks. When the air slows down the coil starts to freeze, if your heating the heater gets too hot. They are sized to have a certain CFM of air across them.

A zone system has a bypass damper to keep the air moving by opening when the pressure builds and reusing the air again, never slowing it down threw the unit. All zone systems also come with a sensor to monitor temp coming out of the unit to make sure it’s not getting to high or low as a safety.

The other thing is the system gets noisy when you try to close off half the ducts. In the open ducts air flow speeds up creating noise in the rooms.

For the guys that are trying to buy like 8-10 of these I would suggest you look into how the a/c works a bit more your gonna have problems. For the guys that have one unused room that your closing off, you should see no problem.[/quote]

I for one will be installing a bypass damper (as discussed earlier in this thread) even if I don’t need it which in my case, I don’t think I do. Since it’s a very simple & inexpensive install, at least for me and it will eliminate any built up pressure, I am going to put one in. That said, I already have a handful of vents closed off and those vents will be replaced with the z-wave ones. I also won’t be closing off all vents at once upstairs or down stairs at any given time. My master bedroom and master batch uses a vent that is larger then they supply and I have a few vents downstairs that also are of a size that Econet doesn’t currently support. For my master bedroom, I may put a 24v damper in the duct and install a Z-Wave outlet in the attic to control that vent.

That said, your points are valid and if you are closing off a lot of vents at one time, the bypass damper is a good thing to install. It also has the upside of making the system more efficient by further cooling or heating the air due to recirculating it through the system. I had a long conversation about this scenario with a good friend who is an AC installer and he looked at my system and while we agree that it’s probably not needed in my case, it will only improve things and help me accomplish my goal of making my system much more efficient without having to spend thousands on redoing everything.

57

No need to worry. There are plastic covers that cover the screw holes so you don’t see them but they are there just like any other AC register. You remove the little covers and insert your screws like you would a normal vent. You can use magnet tape but screws are best.

58

No need to worry. There are plastic covers that cover the screw holes so you don’t see them but they are there just like any other AC register. You remove the little covers and insert your screws like you would a normal vent. You can use magnet tape but screws are best.[/quote]
Ah perfect. I was a little disappointed. I figured most people doing home automation live in homes and have vents on the floor, but I didn’t want to be left out. I’m definitely in for at least 2 trying to decide if I’ll use 3 in my setup.

59

No need to worry. There are plastic covers that cover the screw holes so you don’t see them but they are there just like any other AC register. You remove the little covers and insert your screws like you would a normal vent. You can use magnet tape but screws are best.[/quote]
Ah perfect. I was a little disappointed. I figured most people doing home automation live in homes and have vents on the floor, but I didn’t want to be left out. I’m definitely in for at least 2 trying to decide if I’ll use 3 in my setup.[/quote]
Sounds good. Just post what you want to order and you will be added to the list. I figure I will keep this open through the weekend and post up the ordering info on Tuesday so we can all place our orders.

60

While talking to Econet, have you asked them if they can sell at a discount just white Z-Wave modules without registry fixture itself? I have some Vent-Misers already in my house that I don’t want to replace, and it seems that Econet uses the same registry fixture as Vent-Miser. I believe that I can just replace the Vent-Miser’s timer module with the Econet’s Z-wave one, and get it work…