3 ms·

Not as puzzling as to why would one want to let "the internet" control their HVAC in the first place.

mvid 8y ago
I understand this a popular opinion for IOT naysayers, but HVAC is one of the few features where IOT seems to make sense. It can cause a noticeable change in the cost of your utilities and general comfort.
- sorokod 8y ago
  But you do see that there is a downside - right? Speaking of making sense, why does your thermostat needs to make a connection to a computer that is not under your control?
  - nonplus 8y ago
    I'm with mvid. The benefits to the average user far outweigh the negatives. It's unfortunate that for me using something like an ecobee requires a sandboxed network connection to protect my other devices from the ecobee and vis-a-vis, but that's how it goes in 2019. We are not as security conscientious as we need to be yet. Or we can all live in caves in isolation. That's okay too I guess.
aiyodev 8y ago
In some states you can receive credit on your bill for lowering your thermostat during peak usage times. The Ecobee allows you to do this automatically.
- sorokod 8y ago
  "lowering your thermostat during peak usage times" like with a timer?
  - joezydeco 8y ago
    Like with real-time electricity pricing based on grid demand and excess load. I've been on a real-time plan with my utility for the past decade now, overall I've saved about 15% by shifting some loads to off-peak times. Being able to dynamically hold off the air conditioning compressor is a key part of this. What's odd, though, is that the major net-connected thermostat makers (Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell) have not integrated with the utilities at all. The capability is there, but for some reason this is still a far-off feature.
  - aiyodev 8y ago
    Automatically. Power company signals the thermostat which adjusts the temperature if you have opted in. You can then manually adjust it at the device or through the app if you like.

mvid 8y ago

I understand this a popular opinion for IOT naysayers, but HVAC is one of the few features where IOT seems to make sense. It can cause a noticeable change in the cost of your utilities and general comfort.

sorokod 8y ago
But you do see that there is a downside - right? Speaking of making sense, why does your thermostat needs to make a connection to a computer that is not under your control?
- nonplus 8y ago
  I'm with mvid. The benefits to the average user far outweigh the negatives. It's unfortunate that for me using something like an ecobee requires a sandboxed network connection to protect my other devices from the ecobee and vis-a-vis, but that's how it goes in 2019. We are not as security conscientious as we need to be yet. Or we can all live in caves in isolation. That's okay too I guess.

aiyodev 8y ago

In some states you can receive credit on your bill for lowering your thermostat during peak usage times. The Ecobee allows you to do this automatically.

sorokod 8y ago
"lowering your thermostat during peak usage times" like with a timer?
- joezydeco 8y ago
  Like with real-time electricity pricing based on grid demand and excess load. I've been on a real-time plan with my utility for the past decade now, overall I've saved about 15% by shifting some loads to off-peak times. Being able to dynamically hold off the air conditioning compressor is a key part of this. What's odd, though, is that the major net-connected thermostat makers (Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell) have not integrated with the utilities at all. The capability is there, but for some reason this is still a far-off feature.
- aiyodev 8y ago
  Automatically. Power company signals the thermostat which adjusts the temperature if you have opted in. You can then manually adjust it at the device or through the app if you like.