We are currently testing a Honeywell Lyric smart thermostat at our office in Bedford NH. In addition to the Honeywell Lyric we plan to test a few other brands in an effort to offer our customers the best smart thermostat solution. A.J. LeBlanc Heating is also a Nest Certified Installer, however we only recommend the Nest for basic HVAC system control.
Heating & Cooling Thermostat Setbacks
According to the U.S. Department of Energy you can save about 5 percent to 15 percent per year on your heating bill by turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours. That’s a savings of as much as 1 percent for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. If your normal heating costs are $1,500 per year, that is a savings of $75 to $225 every year.
Humidification is the process of adding moisture to the air and it is one of the most important aspects of total indoor comfort. People tend to associate humidity with the discomfort of hot, steamy summer days and it is true that too much humidity can cause problems. However, properly controlled humidity offers many proven benefits to your health, home and comfort. The reduction of humidity is especially prevalent during the winter heating season. This is because the relative humidity (RH) of the cold, outdoor air drops significantly when it is brought into your home and heated. Humidity control is a primary issue associated with forced hot air systems (furnaces).
A.J. LeBlanc Heating has begun in house testing of the Ecobee3 Thermostat. We have multiple technicians testing this smart thermostat in their homes. We are testing the Ecobee3 for its compatibility with furnaces, boilers, zoning, heat pumps, air conditioners and humidifiers. Although we have not logged many test hours this smart thermostat seems to preform extremely well. The Ecobee3 does a good job at integrating the best aspects of the Nest and the Honeywell Lyric, it is both simple and intelligent. View more smart thermostats at leblanchvac.com/smart-thermostats
Dead Nest? The Nest thermostat has an internal battery which can usually be charged by the 24v heating and cooling wires coming from your homes HVAC system. Problems arise when there are too many components borrowing from the same power source. The Nest learning thermostat is a power stealing thermostat which can cause system malfunction or improper system operation. The solution is to add what is known as a common wire, this wire is a separate 24 volt supply dedicated to charging your Nest thermostat. Although Nest claims this wire is not necessary with all installations A.J. LeBlanc Heating would highly recommend it to anyone using any smart thermostat. Installing a common wire can range in difficulty - if the thermostat wires are inaccessible from the power source walls may need to be opened or an alternative thermostat location may be suggested.
A.J. LeBlanc Heating's favorite smart thermostat has just launched free updated features for all ecobee3 thermostat owners. As of today, all ecobee3 customers have received a free update to firmware version 3.6, which brings the most highly anticipated customer-requested features to ecobee3 thermostats, mobile apps, and web portal. In addition, ecobee has launched a new app for Apple Watch and updated their iOS mobile app with new features and improvements. With ecobee's Apple watch app you can..
- Monitor and adjust your home’s temperature.
- View your remote sensors.
- Even set your thermostat to Home or Away with a tap.
- ecobee is an easy way to make life more comfortable, right from your wrist.
The Ecobee3 smart thermostat is IFTTT compatible, meaning you can create custom recipes and use your smart thermostat with other smart devices.
Geo-fencing & Smart Thermostats
If you own an Ecobee3 or Nest the use options are expanding. One innovative option is the use of IFTTT (If This Then That). IFTTT.com is a home automation application, is a free service, and simplifies the process of connecting different electronic equipment. It does so by operating in the cloud. The devices it supports is growing. IFTTT enhances the functionality of electronic devices. It allows you to connect different devices with each other that normally would not so easy communicate with each other.
The ideal indoor humidity level for a home can vary depending on several factors, including temperature, personal preferences, and health conditions.
Generally, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends an indoor humidity level of 30% to 60% for human comfort and health. However, this range can be adjusted based on individual needs and circumstances.
Whether you should setback your thermostat or leave it at one temperature depends on your personal preferences and your energy-saving goals.
Setting back your thermostat means lowering the temperature when you are not at home or when you are sleeping. By doing so, you can save money on your energy bills by reducing the amount of energy your heating or cooling system uses when you don't need it.
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is a new addition to the Ecobee line of smart thermostats that offers advanced features for homeowners looking to improve their indoor air quality. One of the standout features of this new thermostat is its ability to detect and monitor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the air.
