Uninterruptible Power Supply running Rinnai or pellet stove?

Garandman · Mar 15, 2015

We gave up on this idea and got a generator. Now another question. This 36,000 BTU Rinnai wall furnace does not have an external thermostat. Depending on season, we shut it off or turn it way down. We have Internet there.

Is there any way we could control this remotely? Presumably we could get a wireless on/off switch, but would like to control set point. But the only Rinnai part I've seen is for a tankless water heater.

MikePA · Mar 15, 2015

Is there any way to connect an external thermostat? Many of them are wireless and can be controlled via a smartphone app.

Garandman · Mar 16, 2015

An external thermostat isn't supported, apparently. But I think I found just what I was looking for: Belkin makes a switch plug that can be turned on and off remotely from a smartphone app.

WeMo® Switch

So I can set the thermostat on the unit then turn it on remotely. I can monitor the temp from a smart thermostat used for an electric baseboard.

buickanddeere · Mar 16, 2015

Four group 31 sized marine batteries, 1000W of solar panels on the roof and a 1500W UPS.

bumperm · Mar 16, 2015

The WeMo switch does require a wifi network. But, probably just as important, if you check the reviews on Amazon, looks kind of iffy with about 3.5 stars.

Mendonsy · Mar 17, 2015

These should work for what you want to do.
Line Voltage Control Thermostats (To control 120 or 240 Volt electric heaters)

Garandman · Mar 17, 2015

bumperm said:
The WeMo switch does require a wifi network. But, probably just as important, if you check the reviews on Amazon, looks kind of iffy with about 3.5 stars.

I looked at that. Most of the low reviews are due to problems with the app - and some of those are recent.

But I have had really good luck with Belkin so I am counting on them to improve it. The heater is only about five feet from the wireless hub. It's at a ski house and near the end of the heating season, so even if it takes them a while to fix the app I'll be ready for next season.

Garandman · Mar 20, 2015

Success! I plugged it in today. First you pair it with your phone, than your network. Mine asked to do a firmware update, then asked for another. Tested it by shutting off wifi so I was using the phone network. You have to hold down the button a few seconds but the Rinnai came on! It shows a green ring when on.

FWIW Rinnai model # is RHFE-1001FA/VA-P.

Garandman · Apr 18, 2015

Update. I was cursing this thing for a while as the network wouldn't recognize it. Then I found the wifi wasn't working. Rebooted the router and all good.

Today I turned it on while we were at a grocery store in Warner, NH, and the house was 70 by the time we got here. Sweet!