Programmable thermostats in some ways are old news. That is, until you consider the idea that programmable thermostats can now communicate directly with you; simply dial-in, and they talk back - they can even send you a message on their own.

  

Honeywell's line of wireless and WiFi enabled devices offer a range of possibilities. This is the perfect solution for the homeowner that wants to have complete control of their heating and cooling no matter where they are. Choices include the basics via the wireless FocusPro to the Prestige 2.0 IAQ Comfort System that adds a HD color touchscreen display and Indoor Air Quality accessories and ventilation control. Wireless Zoning is possible, too. Adding the RedLINK gateway allows you to create a dashboard of multiple thermostats and locations, all in one place, with access at the touch of a button.

  

Using a smartphone, tablet, or other Internet connection, you can make adjustments, get updates, or reflect changes based on a change in your schedule. Working late? Perfect; dial-in and extend the hold on temperature until the next programmed event. Sudden change in plans, vacation, or unexpected business trip? No problem; make changes that will stay in place for an extended period of time. Your thermostat can send you an email message alert, too. Other accessories can be added via a simple "connect" button, e.g., the personal comfort control that works like a handheld remote thermostat, or the entry/exit remote that lets you recover thermostat presets from anywhere in the home.

  

We saw the benefits come to life in a vacation home along the North Carolina Coast. The installation we made included Honeywell's FocusPro wireless/WiFi enabled thermostats, wireless outdoor temperature sensor, and RedLINK gateway. The homeowner can remotely make adjustments or control the systems from another location, or while on the road. Combined with the multiple event programming features, the homeowner can now manage their vacation home more efficiently and capture energy savings along the way.

  

This is also a perfect solution for the small business owner or light commercial applications with one or more locations. You can manage all locations and accessories from one place, and take action on any of the items from the dashboard view. Our HVAC professional can also be made aware of any system deficiencies in advance, i.e., they can be sent a notice of a potential problem or corrective action alert.  

Turning a traditional baseboard heater into a thermostat-driven control was often limited by the installation burden of a good mounting location and the additional wiring requirements to make it work. That's no longer true with Honeywell's new EConnect Wireless solutions.

  

You can now get all the benefits of wireless control incorporated into your existing baseboard electric heater. EConnect provisions the attachment of a wireless control module (EIM) which connects with a wireless thermostat mounted in a convenient and efficient location (e.g., out of the way of drafts and in a spot that reflects the best temperature for the room).

  

EConnect is also compatible with the RedLINK Internet gateway, wireless outdoor temperature sensor, entry/exit remote, and the personal comfort control. Programmable and non-programmable thermostats are available for EConnect, too. You can also use the new "copy" feature to program multiple thermostats from a single setting, or run multiple heaters from one thermostat.

With mild temperatures for the next couple of months, heating and cooling systems often sit idle waiting for the next call from the homeowner. This is an excellent time to test your cooling before the arrival of the higher temperatures of summer.

  

Look for a mid-70 degree day and turn on the air conditioning by changing the mode from heat to cool - just a couple of degrees of adjustment are all that's required to activate the system. It's not wise to test the system below 60 degrees outdoor temperature; you could inadvertently cause damage to the system.

  

As the system runs, walk around the areas that offer the best 'noise assessment', i.e., tilt your head with a well-tuned ear and listen for something that doesn't sound like it's running correctly. Look at the evaporation drain line outside for evidence of condensation from the system. Depending on the resident humidity and temperature it may not be much, but it will likely show some dripping at the exit of the pipe run.

  

After running the system, you can take some additional maintenance steps that could prove useful down the road. Insects and pests can take residence in the condensate drain(s). You can use a Wet/Dry Vac to expunge matted debris, and pesky little critters from the line. During cooling season, keep a vigilant eye on the secondary drain - this is an early indicator of a primary drain problem and should be addressed immediately. Also, those homeowners who have a packaged system should make sure their primary drain (in some cases, the only drain) is clear and on a downward slope/angle to drain properly. We often find these drains buried under mulch or landscaping, or pointing upward (having been moved by landscapers or by accident); it's not unusual for us to find them broken and pushed aside, too.

  

Take a glance inside the outdoor unit where the large fan blade resides. Look for buildup of vegetation or debris. This can have an adverse effect on cooling capacity. This is also a high voltage area and should be left to the professionals to clean and check the interior condition. Also, make sure there is at least a two foot clearance around the exterior of the unit - this allows it to breathe and cool properly.

  

p.s. Inspect the return air filters inside the home and replace clogged or dirty filters, if you have not done so already.

  

As a local professional source of indoor air quality solutions for

homeowners, Air Comfort For Homes seeks ways to improve your home's indoor air quality and homeowner comfort. We work with homeowners to develop a better overall indoor air quality strategy for a more comfortable lifestyle.

  

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