Don't Come Home to a Cold House
Home automation is an ideal solution for thermostat temperature control. Coming home to a cold house can be miserable. The alternative in the past was often leaving the heat on during the day and running up a costly heating bill. Although many thermostats are programmable to turn on and off at particular times, they are usually limited to set schedules. Home automation compatible thermostats allow you to control your thermostat from anywhere in the home, at work via the Internet, or in your car from a web-enabled phone.
Home Thermostat Control Options
Home automation thermostats are made by a variety of manufacturers including Venstar, Bay Controls, RCS, Wayne-Dalton, and Trane. These manufacturers offer thermostats in virtually any home automation technology including X-10, INSTEON, and Z-Wave.
Home Automation thermostat products provide any of several control methods:
Computer or Controller Control – The most basic form of control is through your computer or remote controller. Using a tabletop controller, you can turn the heat down at night without ever getting out of bed. With a computer interface, you can program elaborate customized schedules to fit any need.
Internet Control – Many thermostats come with Internet capability allowing you to check the temperature and make adjustments from anywhere you have an Internet connection. Log into your thermostat from work and turn up the temperature so your house is nice and toasty when you get home.
Web-Enabled Phones – If your cell phone is Web-enabled you can log into your thermostat anywhere you have cell reception. Turn off the heat while on you’re stuck in traffic. If you're on vacation and start wondering if you forgot to turn down the thermostat at home simply call up your thermostat and check.