Rolling Out the Smart Home

re: "Smart thermostats already exist. No one really cares nor needs to operate them remotely. Most people simply program them at the wall once and forget about it."

Ever since I programmed my newest one, then promptly misplaced the manual, I have been wishing it had a simple button for "Stay-at-Home-Vacation / Manual Mode".

It is so much smarter than me, whenever I simply try to increase, or decrease the thermostat setting, it automatically goes back to what it was programmed for originally, based on the day & time of day... <grrrrr>!

Not gonna worry, not gonna fret...

My son is installing a "Control-4" system, that *WILL* effect changes upon demand, via the iPhone (iPhone for now: Android app soon to come...)

Good answer.

My sentiments, exactly. I was recently asked to upgrade the thermostats in one of the executives homes. He asked about the touted savings. I told him, yea, lots of savings IF, you NEVER turn the heat down when you leave. They are convenient, too, IF live on a schedule. He and his family don't. -- JHF

P. S. GA from me

With all of the 'updates', 'virus', and other 'protections' recommended for our current networked systems, WHY would you want to link your home, your private castle to a system that is continually hacked to cause you aggravation? Why would you want to open yourself to more tracking of your habits by government and others who would then flood you with advertisements based on their interpretation of what you need? A pity if your house is smarter than you are!

Agreed! I also think #1 is a good answer.

Random sampling of Internet Things by technicians have discovered an alarming number of them are infected with botnets. It is possible many were infected in the factory. It is likely any in your house are infected. What is nice about these things. If you have the right skills and the right tools you can find them easily enough. It is like trying to hide an elephant in a closet, there is no where to hide. Computers are so large stealth viruses can't be found once they infect your computer.

The $64 question is what are they doing to your house?

All sentiments agree though a inclusive home system has a place, and remote monitoring is but a option. A simple thermostat is not what's being described.