We have a 12-camera surveillance system on our home that can be monitored via computer or smartphone or tablet. The ability to check on the house while away on a trip is a terrific feature and makes us feel a lot better about leaving the house for extended periods. I have the system configured to push me an email when specific cameras detect motion. That email contains a couple of snapshot photos of the camera's view. So, if someone is at our front door (for example), I know about it in 20 seconds or so, from anywhere in the world (where I have an internet connection for my iPhone).donald.quix said:
Everyone still happy with their Nest thermostats?
I'm thinking of making the jump...but admittedly have not yet checked the wiring on my old thermostat for compatibility. I live in a 110-year old home (without AC). So I've got an old furnace and old wiring.
But assuming I can find a compatible model, I'm thinking of adding both a Nest thermostat and a Nest Video Doorbell (at my wife's urging).
Ooooh! I just found out they've got something called a "Nest Temperature Sensor" which you can stick in a remote location to act as your thermometer for your heating/cooling system. This will be GREAT for me as my thermostat is located less than a foot away from my 55" Plasma (which throws a LOT of heat). I am forever tinkering with my thermostat at night while watching TV. THAT could be a BIG help!
Mine has only been installed for less than two months, but so far it has been working fine. I like the feature where it automatically goes into "away" mode based on my phone's location, so it turns down the thermostat even if I forget before we leave. I'm not in the habit of turning it back into "we are at home" mode while traveling, though. I remembered to do that on our way home from South Carolina earlier this month, but forgot when returning from northern Michigan on Thanksgiving weekend. Our house was still cold when we came in, but that's my fault.Everyone still happy with their Nest thermostats?
I'm thinking of making the jump...but admittedly have not yet checked the wiring on my old thermostat for compatibility. I live in a 110-year old home (without AC). So I've got an old furnace and old wiring.
But assuming I can find a compatible model, I'm thinking of adding both a Nest thermostat and a Nest Video Doorbell (at my wife's urging).
Here's a recent picture I took of Pete watching TV. You can see my current old, hard-to-read programmable thermostat located on the wall behind the TV and next to the archway molding.
That plasma set throws a LOT of heat at that thermostat.
I was content with our older programmable thermostat for many years, too, as our schedule when home is very routine as well. However, since retiring, my wife and I spend a lot more time away from home traveling than in the past. Having the ability to remotely turn the air conditioner back on so we do not encounter a house like an oven when returning home in the summer (or kick the furnace up remotely in the winter) is a nice perk. The past two summers I actually texted my neighbor and had him turn the A/C back on when we were heading home -- now I don't have to rely on him (and he's retired and not always home, either).I looked hard at the Nest a few years ago, researching its features and benefits. My conclusion, was that for people (like me) with a fairly regular routine, the best value and easiest system was a low cost (~$50) programmable digital thermostat that allows daily programming, with separate Heat and Cool schedules. Set the heating and cooling schedules, and on/off times and target temperatures for morning, afternoon, and night for for weekday and weekend schedule, and never think about it again. If you're having to manually tell your thermostat to turn up or down to be comformtable, IMO you're doing it the hard and inefficient way.
