Can anyone recommend a WiFi thermostat for a small house on a heat pump?

[newbury]

We've a system running on a 6K heat pump in northeast Mississippi. It's usually just the 2 of us for a few months then sometimes nobody is here. Occasionally a son & family will occupy it while we are gone.
One of the problems is that it is set too high. I'm 6' 2" and it's convenient level for me. My wife is 5'. It's in a hallway with no room for a stepstool.
Another thing is I'd like one that could be set with "hard defaults" cool to 80 in the summer, heat to 60 in the winter.
When we travel back we may not know when we get here until a few days before. So I'd like something I could set via WiFi, now that our previously unreliable Wifi has gone to fairly reliable fiber.
So can anyone recommend a reliable system that has worked for them?

 

[dusty3030]

I've used the Nest thermostats at home and for away from home properties for years. I'm not thrilled Google bought them and transitioned them over to Google app but I can't complain about the reliability or the the ability to customize them. They do have great features and knock on wood have been utterly reliable.

 

[BigGG]

My nephew has a basic Ecobee on the heat pump + strip heat on the little house I rent from him. It has worked without problem, using wifi so I can preheat/precool before my arrival.

Two years ago, i had a new system put in my primary home. I have gas available here and intended on a two-stage AC/gas furnace. But, due to a supplier snafu, I ended up with two-stage heat pump + gas heat. I studied Honeywell and Emerson/Copeland before going with an Ecobee. It has a zillion parameters to customize it as needed. It also has performed without problem.

One feature, which I haven't used, is the ability to have a second sensor on the higher end ones. For example, you could use one sensor in the living area to control the temperature there during the day, and a second sensor in the bedroom to control the temperature there at night.

 

[jk96]

Sensi themostats have worked freat for us for almost 10 years now. Multiple zones house and business with schedule options. I'm using the basic models but they have others available.

link Sensi t stat

 

[Roadworthy]

I tried a Google 'Nest 'stat. I didn't like that it would change my settings to "economize" for me, even after I told it not to. It did do wireless at no charge as Google seems to own the internet. Other 'stats may charge a monthly subscription fee for this service. I don't need wireless and went with a Honeywell programmable.

 

[jk96]

I tried a Google 'Nest 'stat. I didn't like that it would change my settings to "economize" for me, even after I told it not to. It did do wireless at no charge as Google seems to own the internet. Other 'stats may charge a monthly subscription fee for this service. I don't need wireless and went with a Honeywell programmable.

Thats why I went with Sensi. No monthly access charges and no "smart" functions.

 

[kozal01]

When I had my HVAC replaced a few years ago I had them install a WiFi t-stat, they recommended and installed a Honeywell, not sure of its model but its only available through HVAC dealers. It works great, easy to use the app, can switch automatically between heat and AC and its not given me a lick of trouble. Its also not linked in any way to the utility provider like many of the other mainstream brands. I don't need the power or gas company controlling my usages during what they call "peak" hours.

 

[mjonesnh]

This is the Honeywell t-stat that I have. https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-TH...mostat&qid=1750363411&sprefix=,aps,150&sr=8-2
Been in use since 2016 at my home plus installed one in another house that my son owned. Absolutely trouble free.

 

[tomplum]

My word of caution is in regards of whether or not you would be better served by a model with an outdoor ambient temp sensor or not. Ecobee, didn't work for me for that reason. The weather station they used could read 10-15 degrees different than our outdoor temp. So it liked to use the auxiliary heat. No savings there. I mean, if we could of referenced our weather station that is on Wunderground, but no.

Some Honeywell's have that capability and Sensi just came out with this. One of them is currently on the way. Hope I like it.

 

[Popgadget]

Honeywell T10

 

[alexinPA]

Years ago Honeywell used to have good tutorial on website. You tell them what you want and it would show thermostats that fit. Not sure if it still there...

 

[Popgadget]

Honeywell spun their thermostats off to Resideo.

Smart Home Products and Systems | Resideo

Resideo offers top-of-the-line home automation solutions to set up your best smart home system, including smart thermostats, security cameras and more.

www.resideo.com

 

[newbury]

Honeywell spun their thermostats off to Resideo.

Smart Home Products and Systems | Resideo

Resideo offers top-of-the-line home automation solutions to set up your best smart home system, including smart thermostats, security cameras and more.

www.resideo.com

Thanks, I don't trust items when the product is switched to a different mfg.

 

[Popgadget]

It’s really the same company, people and plants, just a different name, CEO and stock.

 

[mikester]

My experience with internet required wifi thermostats is if you don't have a reliable internet connection or when the vendor decides to stop supporting the service you suddenly have an expensive POS brick on your wall that doesn't work at all when the device can't call home.

Applies to all IoT devices.

Don't forget this - the "S" in IoT stands for Security.

 

[newbury]

My experience with internet required wifi thermostats is if you don't have a reliable internet connection or when the vendor decides to stop supporting the service you suddenly have an expensive POS brick on your wall that doesn't work at all when the device can't call home.

Applies to all IoT devices.

Don't forget this - the "S" in IoT stands for Security.

My thoughts also, that's why I was waiting to get reliable internet and vendor.
Before the internet wasn't reliable, now it is pretty good.
Before I was going to get a Honeywell, now it looks like I would have to rely on a "spin off".

 

[mjonesnh]

My experience with internet required wifi thermostats is if you don't have a reliable internet connection or when the vendor decides to stop supporting the service you suddenly have an expensive POS brick on your wall that doesn't work at all when the device can't call home.

Applies to all IoT devices.

Don't forget this - the "S" in IoT stands for Security.

The wi-fi thermostat that I have installed works whether online or not. app on phone or computer can control functions and thermostat displays outdoor temp and humidity through a site programmed into t-stat. No outside vendor has access.

 

[ponytug]

The wi-fi thermostat that I have installed works whether online or not. app on phone or computer can control functions and thermostat displays outdoor temp and humidity through a site programmed into t-stat. No outside vendor has access.

Which brand/model do you have?

 

[mjonesnh]

Which brand/model do you have?

Honeywell. This model

Honeywell TH8321WF1001/U Wi-Fi 8000 for Residential or Commercial Use, Stages Up to Up to 3 Heat/2 Cool: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

Honeywell TH8321WF1001/U Wi-Fi 8000 for Residential or Commercial Use, Stages Up to Up to 3 Heat/2 Cool: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

 

[BigGG]

I got a message from my rent house Ecobee last evening that the temperature exceeded the setpoint. I went to my account (no fee) to see that the temperature had been tracking the setpoint the last few days as expected. So something happened yesterday morning. I suspect a tripped breaker; the thermostat only knows that it was calling for AC. I turned the unit off remotely; no reason for it to run.

The Ecobee account records outside and inside temperatures, setpoint, and equipment runtimes.