3 ms·

One of the best low-tech interfaces is the honeywell round thermostat. Change the dial to point to the temperature you want and the internal indicator shows you

One of the best low-tech interfaces is the honeywell round thermostat. Change the dial to point to the temperature you want and the internal indicator shows you the current temperature. All without requiring any transistors. Go shop for a thermostat, look at other options, and be amazed at how complex the layers of technology can make things.

vel0city 4y ago
So how to I set my away temperature? How do I set the return temperature? How do I set the sleep temperature? How do I set the wake temperature? How can I make it change based on my schedule, as I'm home most of the day on the weekends while I'm often out during the week? Seems like its not that great of a UI given the requirements I have.
- twobitshifter 4y ago
  Turn it up and down when you come and go? In my opinion all those features are a catastrophe in that your body will end up being in your house at the wrong time or your clothing will be warmer or hotter than typical or your spouse will, and you will want to play with the temp anyways and end up fiddling with things to get it right. The learning thermostats try to solve this, but it’s at great cost and complexity and experiences vary and habits change.
  - vel0city 4y ago
    > In my opinion all those features are a catastrophe in that your body will end up being in your house at the wrong time You're trading sometimes being in the house at the wrong time to every day being in the house at the wrong time. Then your other statement doesn't matter if its programmable or not, if you're constantly in disagreement of what the thermostat should be you're going to be fiddling with it regardless of if its programmed or not. I realize people's experiences vary greatly, but that's kind of my point about looking at the basic Honeywell thermostat and declaring its a great user experience. To me, its a terrible user experience and far worse than my basic 7 day 4 stage programmable thermostat which I touch once a season and otherwise let it be. In the end I save energy, reduce my bill, have on average a more comfortable house, and I rarely have to interact with the thermostat.

vel0city 4y ago

So how to I set my away temperature? How do I set the return temperature? How do I set the sleep temperature? How do I set the wake temperature? How can I make it change based on my schedule, as I'm home most of the day on the weekends while I'm often out during the week? Seems like its not that great of a UI given the requirements I have.

twobitshifter 4y ago
Turn it up and down when you come and go? In my opinion all those features are a catastrophe in that your body will end up being in your house at the wrong time or your clothing will be warmer or hotter than typical or your spouse will, and you will want to play with the temp anyways and end up fiddling with things to get it right. The learning thermostats try to solve this, but it’s at great cost and complexity and experiences vary and habits change.
- vel0city 4y ago
  > In my opinion all those features are a catastrophe in that your body will end up being in your house at the wrong time You're trading sometimes being in the house at the wrong time to every day being in the house at the wrong time. Then your other statement doesn't matter if its programmable or not, if you're constantly in disagreement of what the thermostat should be you're going to be fiddling with it regardless of if its programmed or not. I realize people's experiences vary greatly, but that's kind of my point about looking at the basic Honeywell thermostat and declaring its a great user experience. To me, its a terrible user experience and far worse than my basic 7 day 4 stage programmable thermostat which I touch once a season and otherwise let it be. In the end I save energy, reduce my bill, have on average a more comfortable house, and I rarely have to interact with the thermostat.