{"id":3551,"date":"2013-10-11T11:06:04","date_gmt":"2013-10-11T15:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/?p=3551"},"modified":"2016-11-29T10:31:33","modified_gmt":"2016-11-29T15:31:33","slug":"turn-up-the-heat-from-your-smartphone-using-a-wifi-thermostat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/turn-up-the-heat-from-your-smartphone-using-a-wifi-thermostat\/","title":{"rendered":"Turn Up the Heat from Your Smartphone Using a WiFi Thermostat"},"content":{"rendered":"

If the idea of adjusting the temperature in your home from anywhere using your smartphone or computer sounds appealing, you\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2ll be happy to know that the technology exists today and it is called a WiFi thermostat<\/b>.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Imagine turning up the heat with your iPhone while you are commuting home at night on the train, or pre-heating your ski cabin on the ride up using your Droid, or turning off the central A\/C from your laptop while sitting at the airport waiting for a flight?\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 All of these scenarios are possible with a WiFi thermostat<\/a><\/strong>.\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

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Key Benefits of a WiFi Thermostat<\/em><\/h2>\n

Remote temperature control has been around for a while in the form of specialized thermostats that communicate via a telephone connection.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 But for the more than 50% of Americans<\/a> who have organized their lives around their smartphone, a WiFi thermostat (also called an Internet thermostat) adds remote temperature control to the growing list of things they want to do with their smartphone (or computer).<\/p>\n

The key benefits for having a WiFi thermostat are:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Convenience<\/b> of being able to make heating or cooling adjustments from anywhere<\/li>\n
  2. Save energy<\/b> by remotely changing temperature at home based on changing weather conditions<\/li>\n
  3. Call in for the current temperature status<\/b> in your house<\/li>\n
  4. Receive alerts<\/b> if the inside temperature has dropped (or risen) to a dangerous level<\/li>\n
  5. Easy to install <\/b>and affordable — <\/b>designed for do-it-yourselfers<\/li>\n
  6. Some models are expandable<\/b> so you also remotely control locks, appliances, lights, security cameras and more<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Start With an Internet Connection<\/em><\/h2>\n

    In order for your WiFi thermostat to communicate with your smartphone or mobile device 24\/7, you will need: \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0(1) a high-speed Internet connection, and\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0(2) an Internet router that is always \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201con.\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d<\/p>\n

    Most homes these days have high-speed Internet, however, many vacation homeowners shut down Internet service when the home is unoccupied, so this is an important consideration if you fall into this group.<\/p>\n

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    Compatibility and Features<\/em><\/h2>\n

    The next step after securing a 24\/7 Internet connection is choosing a WiFi thermostat that is compatible with your type of heating system.<\/b>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 The article \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cProgrammable Thermostats:\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 How to Choose One that\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s Compatible with your Equipment\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d<\/a> will walk you through that process, or, you can contact the support staff at diycontrols.com<\/a> for personalized assistance.<\/p>\n

    Next, consider the features you want.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Most WiFi thermostats are multi-functional.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Below is an overview of the most popular models, all of which are easy to install yourself.<\/p>\n

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    Popular Models<\/em>
    \n<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

    BayWeb Standard<\/strong>\"The<\/b><\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

    Can be used with conventional single stage heat and\/or cool systems (one heat\/one cool)<\/p>\n