2-Wire Smart Thermostats? My house on Long Island, NY is an older one. Consequently, we only use 2-wire thermostats (3-zones). We bought a condo in Florida and I to control the...

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

My house on Long Island, NY is an older one. Consequently, we only use 2-wire thermostats (3-zones).
We bought a condo in Florida and I to control the thermostat with an iPhone app when it gets too cold.
Looking for something that’s good quality & not outrageously expensive.
Any suggestions?

jeffstone123

check out lowes iris system only $10 dollars per month and you get burglar alarm to.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Hmmm! Burglar alarm too. I'll have check that out because I want one of those too.
Is it homeowner installable?
Thanks

DLH13 Loc: Texas

We have a Honeywell and are very happy with it. They have multiple options.
Good luck.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

DLH13 wrote:

We have a Honeywell and are very happy with it. They have multiple options.
Good luck.

Is it 2 wire?

repleo Loc: Boston

Indi wrote:

My house on Long Island, NY is an older one. Consequently, we only use 2-wire thermostats (3-zones).
We bought a condo in Florida and I to control the thermostat with an iPhone app when it gets too cold.
Looking for something that’s good quality & not outrageously expensive.
Any suggestions?

I have a similar situation with my house on Cape Cod. I have the Lowes Iris system. Check here https://www.irisbylowes.com/about/
I use the 7-Day Touch Screen Programmable Thermostat ITEM # 388565 / MODEL # CT-101-L. Unlike other wifi thermostats which require three or four wire connections for power for a wifi connection, this one has batteries so it will work with 2 wire systems. The batteries last at least a year. The thermostat is easy enough to install although you need to be careful to tag your existing wires. There are videos on Youtube to show how to arrange the 'jumper' for two wire systems. Iris customer service is beyond excellent. Expect to spend some time on the phone with them for the initial install while they update the software. The required Smart Hub is $70 and the thermostat is $70. In our area, the thermostat qualifies for a full refund from the utility company.

I have my system set up with a camera pointed at the fuel gauge on the oil tank so I can check on fuel level. I also have an electric heater set up beside the boiler on a thermostat controlled outlet in case the boiler conks out. It will at least keep the boiler from freezing -probably not a concern in Florida.

The Iris system has a full compliment of wifi controlled devices including leak alarms, water shut off valves, locks, electrical outlets, cameras, irrigation controllers etc. The door and window sensors are attached with double sided tape - no wires or screws required. You don't have to pay a monthly fee unless you want the monitoring service which is a bells and whistles option. The free basic service will send you all the alarms and notifications you need.

I have my cable modem and wireless router plugged into a small UPS. The Iris controller is plugged directly into mains. If mains power fails the Iris unit will send a message via its own battery backup while the wifi still works via the UPS. You can also get a cellular modem service for $8 a month if you don't want to pay for wifi during the off season.

I've had my system for at least three years without any problems. I highly recommend it.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

repleo wrote:

I have a similar situation with my house on Cape Cod. I have the Lowes Iris system. Check here https://www.irisbylowes.com/about/
I use the 7-Day Touch Screen Programmable Thermostat ITEM # 388565 / MODEL # CT-101-L. Unlike other wifi thermostats which require three or four wire connections for power for a wifi connection, this one has batteries so it will work with 2 wire systems. The batteries last at least a year. The thermostat is easy enough to install although you need to be careful to tag your existing wires. There are videos on Youtube to show how to arrange the 'jumper' for two wire systems. Iris customer service is beyond excellent. Expect to spend some time on the phone with them for the initial install while they update the software. The required Smart Hub is $70 and the thermostat is $70. In our area, the thermostat qualifies for a full refund from the utility company.

I have my system set up with a camera pointed at the fuel gauge on the oil tank so I can check on fuel level. I also have an electric heater set up beside the boiler on a thermostat controlled outlet in case the boiler conks out. It will at least keep the boiler from freezing -probably not a concern in Florida.

The Iris system has a full compliment of wifi controlled devices including leak alarms, water shut off valves, locks, electrical outlets, cameras, irrigation controllers etc. The door and window sensors are attached with double sided tape - no wires or screws required. You don't have to pay a monthly fee unless you want the monitoring service which is a bells and whistles option. The free basic service will send you all the alarms and notifications you need.

I have my cable modem and wireless router plugged into a small UPS. The Iris controller is plugged directly into mains. If mains power fails the Iris unit will send a message via its own battery backup while the wifi still works via the UPS. You can also get a cellular modem service for $8 a month if you don't want to pay for wifi during the off season.

I've had my system for at least three years without any problems. I highly recommend it.

I have a similar situation with my house on Cape C... (show quote)

Lowe’s Iris System is the one Jeff Stone mentioned in the first reply.
I started looking into it online. That looks like the best possible solution for me. Fortunately, I have a gas heat system so I don’t have to worry about running out of oil.
I also have a daughter & son in law who live nearby so they can check on things while we’re away. Probably have them get the app so they can tap in and get alerts too.

We’re not going to be snowbirds; just 2 weeks in November & 6 weeks in February & March.

Thanks for you detailed explanation. Sounds like I can afford it, too. Too bad I had to change the main floor thermostat last month. Could’ve put it toward this system.

Bird Dawg Loc: Georgia

As a HVAC contractor for a long time we install Honeywell Pro 8000 and have one in my home & condo. I can control them from my iPhone.
Great thermostat. Good luck.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Indi wrote:

My house on Long Island, NY is an older one. Consequently, we only use 2-wire thermostats (3-zones).
We bought a condo in Florida and I to control the thermostat with an iPhone app when it gets too cold.

It's like science fiction! Do you - will you have surveillance cameras inside and outside? You can monitor them from your phone, too.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

jerryc41 wrote:

It's like science fiction! Do you - will you have surveillance cameras inside and outside? You can monitor them from your phone, too.

I was thinking of installing outside cameras.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Bird Dawg wrote:

As a HVAC contractor for a long time we install Honeywell Pro 8000 and have one in my home & condo. I can control them from my iPhone.
Great thermostat. Good luck.

Does it work on a 2-wire system?

Bird Dawg Loc: Georgia

Will not work on 2 wires. Not many " fancy " thermostats work on 2 wires that I'm aware of.
May need to pull new wires.