unfrostedpoptart_IHB
New member
Hi all.
I wanted to start a discussion of issues related to home automation and heating and cooling. My house, built in 2000, in Northpark, has separate zones for AC/Heat for upstairs and downstairs. Unfortunately, we've been fighting constantly with thermostats and vents and window shades to try and keep the place at some sort of comfortable temperature. A big part is that the house points the wrong way: the big windows for the master suite, kitchen, and family room face south-west. I tried putting in roller sunshades outside the house, but they didn't hold up.
I've thought of putting in a bunch of electric dampers in the vents with local thermostats and some kind of controller. Anyone have a system like this? I also put in a bunch of X10 switches and controller for lighting (used to control sprinklers, too), but it's never been very reliable because of the size of the house. I've thought of moving to Insteon of Z-Wave, but they're much more expensive than X10 and have a much smaller selection of modules. Most of my in-wall modules are the special ones that can control CFLs, which I use for most of the house general lighting.
It would be great to just use Wi-Fi to control all the HVAC and lighting. Any (reasonably affordable) ideas on this? Anyone have a nice system in their house they'd be willing to show off?
Thanks,
David
I wanted to start a discussion of issues related to home automation and heating and cooling. My house, built in 2000, in Northpark, has separate zones for AC/Heat for upstairs and downstairs. Unfortunately, we've been fighting constantly with thermostats and vents and window shades to try and keep the place at some sort of comfortable temperature. A big part is that the house points the wrong way: the big windows for the master suite, kitchen, and family room face south-west. I tried putting in roller sunshades outside the house, but they didn't hold up.
I've thought of putting in a bunch of electric dampers in the vents with local thermostats and some kind of controller. Anyone have a system like this? I also put in a bunch of X10 switches and controller for lighting (used to control sprinklers, too), but it's never been very reliable because of the size of the house. I've thought of moving to Insteon of Z-Wave, but they're much more expensive than X10 and have a much smaller selection of modules. Most of my in-wall modules are the special ones that can control CFLs, which I use for most of the house general lighting.
It would be great to just use Wi-Fi to control all the HVAC and lighting. Any (reasonably affordable) ideas on this? Anyone have a nice system in their house they'd be willing to show off?
Thanks,
David