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Started By
Message
Smart Thermostat Argument with HVAC Tech
Posted on 7/26/21 at 9:46 am
Posted on 7/26/21 at 9:46 am
Mother-in-law owns a business that has three thermostats and right now she typically has to come and go before someone arrives to get the units on and cool the building down (or warm it up). I recommended to her replacing the three thermostats with smart or at a minimum wifi thermostats so that she could do it remotely. I was going to put three of the $125 nest thermostats in nbd. I had a few questions for her AC guy and he went on this rant about how he never recommends them and they will burn up the units etc. He is an older guy and most likely has an old school thinking but I wanted to make sure I am not wrong here.
After doing a bunch of research I think he is wrong and everything will be fine as I plan to install the nests using the C wire which if it was installed without the C wire was the only issue I could really find. He recommended a sensi which the only difference I could figure compatability wise is that the sensi requires a C wire. Is he wrong in saying it will frick things up if I install nests or am I fine moving forward and using the C wire installation for the nests?
After doing a bunch of research I think he is wrong and everything will be fine as I plan to install the nests using the C wire which if it was installed without the C wire was the only issue I could really find. He recommended a sensi which the only difference I could figure compatability wise is that the sensi requires a C wire. Is he wrong in saying it will frick things up if I install nests or am I fine moving forward and using the C wire installation for the nests?
9
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:23 am to LSUDbrous90
C wire is the Common for the 24 VAC power. I would think all of hers would have a C wire. I installed my Nest myself on a heat pump system and no issues.
When you go to install the Nest, you go online, or through the app and it asks some basic questions that leads you to a schematic you choose.
The only issue I had on start up was the switching valve wire to land on O or B. The fix was to change the setting on the Nest.
Good Luck
Maybe shoot for replacing one successfully before ordering all 3???
When you go to install the Nest, you go online, or through the app and it asks some basic questions that leads you to a schematic you choose.
The only issue I had on start up was the switching valve wire to land on O or B. The fix was to change the setting on the Nest.
Good Luck
Maybe shoot for replacing one successfully before ordering all 3???
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:29 am to RemyLeBeau
if its a business i wouldn't even consider nest because you don't know what types of configurations it might require that nest doesn't support.
just get this so you don't have to do it twice.
just get this so you don't have to do it twice.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:44 am to LSUDbrous90
Had a new unit installed on a remodel in doing. Bought a nest and when I brought it to the installer he talked about all the problems he has seen with them. Recommended a Sensi for my system. Went with it and no problems so far.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:47 am to LSUDbrous90
I had the same next for maybe 6 or 7 years. 3 different houses. Never a problem. Not compatible with my variable speed unit now but it was solid.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:52 am to LEASTBAY
I am still tempted to order a nest and try it with my setup. I would like to have the added features of the nest over the Sensi.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 10:57 am to MGreen5833
FYI if you have Entergy you can get Sensi thermostats for really cheap on their marketplace (also Ecobee, LED bulbs, surge protectors, etc.)
LINK /
LINK /
This post was edited on 7/26/21 at 1:57 pm
Posted on 7/26/21 at 11:11 am to CAD703X
quote:
if its a business i wouldn't even consider nest because you don't know what types of configurations it might require that nest doesn't support.
By business, its a converted warehouse that is a dance studio. Three separate units due to three large dance rooms so its not a big complicated business. Would this change your answer and what is the benefit of the one you linked over a nest?
Posted on 7/26/21 at 11:13 am to RemyLeBeau
quote:
C wire is the Common for the 24 VAC power. I would think all of hers would have a C wire. I installed my Nest myself on a heat pump system and no issues.
They all have C wires available at the thermostat although only 1 of the three current thermostats (just base level regular thermostats) use the C wire. Why would the HVAC guy recommend a sensi over the nest since all I can tell is that a sensi requires a C wire and a nest its optional?
Posted on 7/26/21 at 11:19 am to jmcwhrter
quote:
FYI if you have Entergy you can get Sensi thermostats for really cheap on their marketplace
Had no idea this existed. Thanks,
Posted on 7/26/21 at 11:21 am to LSUDbrous90
quote:
nest its optional?
The nest does allow you to wire without the C but it uses a jumper and every issue I've heard of with Nest is because there is no C wire. It just doesn't work right for whatever reason.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 11:28 am to LSUDbrous90
quote:
By business, its a converted warehouse that is a dance studio. Three separate units due to three large dance rooms so its not a big complicated business. Would this change your answer and what is the benefit of the one you linked over a nest?
a. this unit is built like a tank..honeywell has put these in industrial settings for years even before they added the wifi component so you are getting something field tested for years that exists at 99% of buildings in this country.
b. better safe than sorry; i know the honeywell will work for what your mom needs. just install it and forget it. she can turn it remotely on her phone or even add the honeywell skill to alexa (if she has one) and use her voice to tell it to turn the units on. you can even create a routine in alexa so you issue one command and it does all 3 at the same time.
c. i dont think any of the whizbang nest features apply for what your mom needs and you can find those honeywells for $50ish all over amazon (at least that's what i paid like 10 years ago). many times contractors throw these up unused on amazon because they came bundled with the HVAC and the home owner wants a fancy nest or something instead.
This post was edited on 7/26/21 at 11:30 am
Posted on 7/26/21 at 11:32 am to CAD703X
quote:
you can even create a routine in alexa so you issue one command and it does all 3 at the same time.
They also have geofencing now so she might be able to set it up to automatically set the units when she leaves her house.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 11:36 am to CAD703X
Sounds good. Will probably just go this route then.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 11:43 am to junkfunky
quote:
They also have geofencing now so she might be able to set it up to automatically set the units when she leaves her house.
good call
Posted on 7/26/21 at 2:12 pm to CAD703X
Another vote for Honeywell. You can control multiple thermostats in the app. The guy that installed mine showed me his at his house and at their beach place. So doing 3 in one building should be simple.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 2:33 pm to LSUDbrous90
I’ve used Nest in two houses over the last 6 years. No issues and I installed them myself.
AC sounds like my stepdad who won’t use an “ATM” card bc he had issues with that stuff back when they first came out.
AC sounds like my stepdad who won’t use an “ATM” card bc he had issues with that stuff back when they first came out.
Posted on 7/26/21 at 2:52 pm to CAD703X
Normally I laugh at CAD for pushing the Honeywell so hard, but I think he is 100% correct 
Posted on 7/29/21 at 2:03 pm to LSUDbrous90
My A/C guy says exactly the same about the Nest. Said Ecobee is far and away better (along with honeywell). I went Ecobee and like the remote sensor options.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 9:18 am to patnuh
quote:
AC sounds like my stepdad who won’t use an “ATM” card bc he had issues with that stuff back when they first came out.
There is a forum for AC professionals and they all love the NEST because they get to go fix them after homeowners attempt to install themselves or burn up the units due to continuous restarts. Go research for yourself and don't take my word for it.
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