Been reading the various threads here to figure out what to replace the ancient Honeywell t-stats in the house.
Trying to keep a high WAF - she likes the temp she likes and wants simple… of course her desired temp varies depending on the weather, her mood and other mysterious factors.
I am wanting to automate what I can with Vera 3 tied to the DSC alarm to keep costs low (via automation) but not interfere (too much) with her temp desires.
Looking at the Nest and Ecobee models for high WAF but appear to have good vera support (thanks Watou!!) for going behind any changes at the t-stat and reset to what is needed when people leave (alarm on) or night/day/weekend default settings, etc…
Just looking for recommendations…
I do have the ‘c’ wire in both t-stats locations in the house.
The choice between Nest and Ecobee has a lot to do with subjective preferences, the price difference, and whether you prefer the fixed weekly schedule of the Ecobee vs. the “learning” schedule of the Nest (neither of which are controlled from Vera but both of which are easily manipulated from the native web/app interfaces).
The other differences are that the Nest plugin uses an “unofficial” API while the Ecobee uses its official API, and that the Ecobee requires the “C” wire while the Nest does not. (The Nest plugin will switch to the official API if/when it supports similar status/control.) Both now show the current running equipment status and have a number of automation triggers, including a “home” vs. “away” switch device which is great for integrating with the DSC alarm panel. And of course both require a reliable Internet connection back their respective web services for the plugins to connect.
Other than those differences, I think the rest is up to you!
Thank you… I think I am leaning towards the Ecobee line. I am quite ‘handy’ when it comes to electrical work so wiring up is not an issue, but I was wondering how much an extra pain is it to go with the Smart Tstat vs the Smart Si T-stat. The extra box for the Smart stat would be next to the furnace in my attic (lovely temps up there right now in Texas).
Seen the install manuals for both on the ecobee site and as I have a ‘c’ and have only conventional gas heat and single stage A/C, both look very simple to wire up.
Any big advantage over either? The touchscreen model looks to have more WAF.
[quote=“jjgriffi, post:3, topic:181772”]Thank you… I think I am leaning towards the Ecobee line. I am quite ‘handy’ when it comes to electrical work so wiring up is not an issue, but I was wondering how much an extra pain is it to go with the Smart Tstat vs the Smart Si T-stat. The extra box for the Smart stat would be next to the furnace in my attic (lovely temps up there right now in Texas).
Seen the install manuals for both on the ecobee site and as I have a ‘c’ and have only conventional gas heat and single stage A/C, both look very simple to wire up.
Any big advantage over either? The touchscreen model looks to have more WAF.[/quote]
I don’t know much about the differences (or the WAF ) between the different Ecobee models, but I’m pretty sure the plugin works with all of them. I only have the Smart Si here and it suits me fine, but the touch screen might be nicer. Good luck and careful up in those sweltering attic temperatures – it sounds brutal. I installed Reflectix under my roof decking and it cut down on radiant heat gain up there pretty dramatically. The Texas sunshine might be a different story though…
If I install the zigbee module in the smart stat and connect it to my smart meter (it is listed as compatible on the texas smart meter site), will vera be able to see my whole house energy use as well?
Did not know if that was a feature of your ‘plugin’?
Assume Ver3, wifi ecobee smart stat with zigbee module connected via zigbee to the house power meter and to vera via wifi using your plug-in.
If so, this will be a double benefit as I can have instantaneous (15 min) power readings all day long.
The zigbee module is listed as compatible in both smart si and smart t-stat.
I will have to revisit the Ecobee API docs to see if what you are suggesting is even possible, but it’s not in the plugin currently. You could use the UserSuppliedWattage variable (in theory) to approximate power consumption currently, but it would not be as accurate as empirical measurement.
Also, if you use the ZigBee module for smart meter integration, it can’t be used simultaneously to control ZigBee power outlets (like Ecobee’s SmartPlug).
Last, I was unaware that I could add the ZigBee module to my Smart Si. Are you sure it says that? Thanks,
watou
UPDATE:
I just reviewed the Ecobee API docs, and it looks like I can create as many PowerMeter devices in Vera (equating to smart meters connected via ZigBee) as Ecobee reports over the API. The API would report the current meter value in kWh, but not the current wattage. However, the API docs refer to “daily electricity consumption reads” and I don’t know if the rest of Vera’s energy metering will know what to do with such a value.
BUT… trying to add a ZigBee module to the shopping cart on Ecobee’s online store gave me the message “The product you have attempted to access either does not exist or has been discontinued.” That’s a shame, because my power company recently replaced my meter with some kind of smart meter, which might do ZigBee and might be supported (but Googling gives me no clue exactly what my smart meter is or if it would talk to Ecobee’s ZigBee module). My utility makes no mention of thermostats working with smart meters. It would be cool to read my meter from Vera, but I have a lot of questions to answer before that’s possible.
I have asked support if the zigbee module is available. I notice that they will sell you the ecobee Smart Plug and Zigbee? module (starter pack) in the online store [url=https://www.ecobee.com/buy/where/#]https://www.ecobee.com/buy/where/#[/url]. I cannot imagine that ecobee is stopping support as they are advertising asking to work with your power company and smart meters on the website.
I hope they respond affirmatively, if so I will be buying two stats and a zigbee module.
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) between the different Ecobee models, but I’m pretty sure the plugin works with all of them. I only have the Smart Si here and it suits me fine, but the touch screen might be nicer. Good luck and careful up in those sweltering attic temperatures – it sounds brutal. I installed Reflectix under my roof decking and it cut down on radiant heat gain up there pretty dramatically. The Texas sunshine might be a different story though…