T-Stat ~ Z-Wave ~ HAI Question

[je1058]

I have an OP II and a new house. The HVAC folks advised that the generic T-Stat they installed on the upper level should be changed out to one that provides multiple remote temp sensors and allows averaging. This is their response to the unbalanced air issues I have up here. An example is that one room on one end of the house is quite comfy, while another on the other side is a few degrees cooler or warmer.

The T-stat is in the middle of the upper hall an the plan is to put a temp sensor in each of the farther bedrooms away from this T-stat.

So... Since I have the OP II, I naturally looked at the RC2000, but noticed it only allows one remote sensor to be added. I would love to use this T-stat if possible, but using electric dampers and programming through the OP II to control them and the T-stat based on remote temp inputs directly to the OP II isn't an option, as the HVAC folks advised closing too many dampers while running the system will cause problems with too much volume being forced through closed lines. Makes sense to me.

I looked up an RCS T-stat, the TZ45 and it appears to have 2 remote inputs for sensors and also offers Z-Wave, so I can get it to interface with my OP II. I would like to be able to control my temps via remoted options that OP II offers (touch screens, calling, internet), but would also like my system to be better balanced.

I'm looking for options, suggestions, opinions on this from the pros... Any input would be appreciated!

 

[picta]

Not sure what you are trying to achieve. Are your walls still open and you plan to add the dampers and sensors? IMO if your are going to use the dampers, they should be controlled by a zone controller. In addition, your hvac system has to have a pressure relieve valve to insure the safety. If your goal is just to have a thermostat using average temperature, you could install multiple HAI temp sensors and connect them directly to OP2 instead of to the thermostat. Then you could write rules to raise/lower the setpoint based on what temp you want to have in each room, or perhaps based on the occupancy. You wont be able to achieve optimal temperature in every room without the zoned system though.

 

[tmbrown97]

There was no mention of zoning the system - just getting a better picture of the temps in the house.

The RCS tstats generally allow up to 2 remote temp sensors. With one, it'll average the tstat's and one remote. With two remote temp sensors it'll ignore the internal one. It won't average all 3. Or you can set it to just use one remote and ignore the internal one.

Knowing the temps via rules can be good for other things like turning on the fan only for circulation if the temps have a bit of a spread - at least in theory, but I've found that it doesn't actually accomplish much. Instead just using the built in averaging would certainly be simpler.