Aztech Geothermal First Edition Newsletter: Fall 2012
Welcome to the inaugural Aztech Geothermal Newsletter! We will use the newsletter as an opportunity to:
- Update our customers on new products and services
- Provide energy saving tips
- Include commentary about energy related issue
- Introduce ourselves to new customers
This first issue will profile some thermostat options we have been exploring offering, additional features to your geothermal installation.
John Ciovacco, President & Geoff Hoffer, Project Engineer
Thermostats
Many of our customers have a multi-stage programmable thermostat from White Rodgers (on right). This is a very sophisticated thermostat and a great fit with the geothermal heat pump systems. Thermostats effectively don’t wear out but we would like to make you aware of some new products which have more attractive interfaces and incorporation of additional features.
Radio Thermostat – CT-30
The Radio Thermostat CT-30 was one of the first broad offerings for connection to your home’s wireless network. It was picked up by 3M and is sold under their Filtrete products name. Aztech has a number of these installed in the field and at employees homes with very good success. The CT-30 is the least expensive of Wi-Fi systems we recommend and this particular model has limited staging capabilities and will not be appropriate for all systems. The touchscreen with a white backlit display works well. Call for price.
Key Features:
- Touchscreen backlit interface
- Heat Pump capable (2H / 2C)
- Wi-Fi connection allow monitoring and control
- Any web connection
- Smartphone apps from Android or iPhone
- Works well with more than one zone
- One touch occupied or un-occupied settings for all linked zones
- 7 day programmable with 4 independent periods per day
- Single touch “Set Away” or “End Away” covering multiple zones
- Can be linked to some home automation systems
The Nest – Generation 2
The second generation Nest Thermostat was designed and manufactured by some former Apple iPad developers. It has a great look and unique interface, as you might expect from this team. The newest version can support our multi-stage heat pumps, has a proximity sensor to aid in auto programming and can turn itself down if it senses you are not home. The ability to program itself by making a schedule based on your first week’s temperature adjustments is neat but less useful for geothermal heat pump systems since regular changes of more than a few degrees can hurt efficiency. The user interface from the web or smartphone apps are easy to use and provide a lot of interesting information about your system. Call for price.
Key Features:
- Wi-Fi connection allow monitoring and control
- Any web connection
- Smartphone apps from Android or iPhone
- Weather aware- watches weather to predict heating and cooling use.
- Early on- turns on your system to reach the set temperature by a set time.
- Humidity sensor- will change your cooling temp depending on humidity
- Heat pump balance- better control of your heat pump to conserve cash but keep you comfortable.
- True radiant- better control of your radian floors.
- Multi-Stage Heat Pump capable (3H / 2C)
- Auto-Schedule and Auto-Away functions are nice but geothermal heat pump owners need to make sure the changes you make on a daily basis do not result in less efficient operation. Contact Us if you have questions about this.
- Airwave- turns of AC a few minutes early but keeps fan on to save up to 30% on cooling cost.
- Energy History- Shows when the system was on and what impacts your bill the most.
- Zoned house compatible
- Common wire may be needed for multiple zones
- Multiple units needed, one unit can’t run multiple zones
ecobee Smart Si
Ecobee has emerged with some innovative thermostats targeted at the most energy conscience customers. The Smart Si is a very capable push button thermostat which is Wi-Fi enabled so it can be controlled from any web accessible device, as well as through Android and iPhone apps. It has a host of functional features and provides access to detailed reports via the company’s Web Portal. Call for price.
Key Features:
- Wi-Fi connection allow monitoring and control
- Any web connection
- Smartphone apps from Android or iPhone
- Detailed reports available through Web Portal and Smartphone Apps
- Multi-Stage Heat Pump capable (3 H/ 2C)
- Seven day programmable and 365 day scheduling
- Connect up to 10 thermostats
- Color display with live weather feed
- Humidifier control
- Ventilator control
- Adjustable set back and staging control
- Control smart power plugs (additional cost)- wirelessly turn power plugs on and off
- Alerts can be set to notify you through your web portal or email at the first sign of a problem
- Inject your own personal flare with customized colors and patterns, or choose a design that suits your taste from the GelaSkins gallery
ecobee Smart
The Ecobee Smart is the most capable thermostat we offer. Notable features beyond the Ecobee SI include, large color touchscreen interface, live on-screen weather, multiple thermostat control from one screen, optional expansion module to collect and chart additional system information. Call for price.
Key Features:
- Wi-Fi connection allow monitoring and control
- Any web connection
- Smartphone apps from Android or iPhone
- Detailed usage reports available through Web Portal and Smartphone Apps
- Multi Stage Heat Pump Capable (4H / 2C)
- Seven day programmable and 365 day scheduling
- Control smart power plugs (additional cost)- wirelessly turn power plugs on and off
- Humidifier/ dehumidifier control
- Large color touchscreen display showing live weather feed
- Ventilator control
- Adjustable set back and staging control
- Alerts can be set to notify you through your web portal or email at the first sign of a problem
- Can act as master for zoned systems. Connect up to 10 thermostats
- Remote sensor module (additional cost)- additional sensors for better system monitoring
- Inject your own personal flare with customized colors and patterns, or choose a design that suits your taste from the GelaSkins gallery