Here is How to choose the proper Wi-Fi smart thermostat for your home. You want everything to be just so when you get home from a long day at work.
Your home acts as a haven from the outside world because one of the critical elements in creating this atmosphere is the temperature.
Temperature control sensors are considered one of the most commonly used sensors today. The current need for temperature measurement and adjustment in families, factories, industrial parks, etc., has become too high.
Apart from the temperature sensor, very few other devices can do this job well. And so, it is essential to be equipped with the knowledge to choose a specific type of sensor.
Below I will give you the knowledge and experience in buying a smart thermostat for your home.
What is a temperature controller?
But a thermostat is a machine and device used to operate and control temperature levels in a particular space and time.
Its features will help us always control the temperature and humidity in a closed environment.
It has many names, such as a Digital thermostat, temperature sensor, PID temperature controller, or temperature meter.
The basic structure of a temperature sensor
Temperature gauges are usually composed of 3 main components: sensor, regulator, and control device.
Sensor:
- Based on the definition in some technical documents on electronics, we can define it as follows. A sensor is an electronic device capable of sensing the state or process of physical, chemical, and biological changes in a particular environment that needs to be investigated. It then transforms these data into signals to gather information about the state or process of the double transformation.
Controller:
- After receiving the signals received by the sensor, the controller will be responsible for responding to the call to control the information.
Control device:
- Follow the specification of the controller described earlier.
How to choose to buy a temperature control sensor:
- Determine the environment you want to measure
- Determine the desired measurement range
- Determine the length of the sensor
- Determine the desired error of the sensor
- What is the rod diameter
- what is the connection type?
- Sensor cost
- Power supply for intelligent thermostats
- What other devices do intelligent thermostats support?
- Can you set up an intelligent thermostat on your own?
- What is a temperature sensor Classifications
- Compare and classify current temperature sensor lines
There will be many different lines of temperature control sensors for you to choose from. However, knowing the details of the sensor types is not easy. Us
ually, the types of temperature sensors will have the exact nature and measurement method and will be different in measuring range, shape, and materials.
1. What is the environment we want to measure?
First, you need to determine the environment we want the sensor to measure. We can choose the default sensor type if we use it in a typical environment.
However, suppose the domain has many factors affecting the sensor, such as corrosive, heat-resistant, and high-pressure substances. In that scenario, selecting a kind with a PTFE cover is essential for protection.
2. What is the desired measurement range?
Determining the measuring range is very important in buying a temperature sensor. For example -50÷00C, -80÷00C, 0÷1000C.
The principle is that the measuring range of the medium should be within the measuring range of the temperature sensor.
The difference between these two ranges should not be too high because if so, there will be an error in the measurement process. For safety protection applications, the error should be avoided.
3. What is the length of the sensor?
Depending on your installation location, we choose the appropriate sensor length.
Because the sensor will be composed of a processing head and a probe, the head assembly length must be of sufficient size to contact the medium to be measured.
For example, from 100÷1000mm, depending on the pipe’s width and the container, choose accordingly.
4. What is the desired error of the sensor?
The error in the working process of the equipment is inevitable. However, this range of mistakes will not be significant for specific applications.
If we are not too strict, choosing a standard sensor is enough, but if used in precise applications, it needs to be ordered separately from the company. Specifically, the same levels are as follows:
- With class AA: ±0.1°C, almost absolute accuracy
- For class A: ±0.15°C is the mean error range
- For class B: ±0.3°C, which is the maximum error range
Note:
the higher the accuracy level, the higher the cost; if the demand is not too strict, you can choose the average grade to lower the price.
5. What is the rod diameter and what is the connection type?
This factor is not too important, but it affects the installation process more or less. Because the sensor types will have different diameters depending on the model, pre-determining the diameter will be very useful for later installation. You can choose a diameter in the range of 3÷15 mm.
Besides, the choice of connection type is also a factor affecting the installation process of the sensor. We will have connection type options such as G1/2, G3/4, NPT 1/2, NPT 3/4…
6. Sensor cost:
This is also a pretty important part of buying a sensor or anything else. However, quality sensor thermostats with clear origin usually have a price difference that is not too high for similar products.
Only products that are double or triple the price, we should be careful because they have an unclear origin and the quality will be poor, quickly damaged.
The brighter the device, the higher the price.
Costs also increase whenever thermostats offer services that eliminate direct user input or “smart” features.
For example, the Nest Learning Thermostat monitors your daily activity to figure out when it will start heating or cooling your home, such as starting whenever you come home from work during the week.
- Thermostats with bright and colorful screens and fancy menus cost more, while the most expensive ones have motion sensors that light up whenever you walk into the room. Some models include a remote room sensor that allows you to control the temperature of your entire home rather than just the space where the thermostat is.
- Other thermostats support geofencing, which means they monitor your cell phone location to know exactly when you’re in and out of your home.
- Specific models of thermostats like the Nest Learning Thermostat work with Nest home devices, such as smoke detectors or Nest cameras. In contrast, others work with projection systems, light, AC, and personal voice assistants (Google, Alexa, Siri, etc.).
- When it comes to voice assistants, the most expensive types of voice thermostats even come with built-in voice assistants, and you can ask them to do things well beyond the capabilities of intelligent thermostats common smarts, such as playing music.
Finally, if you’re going to buy a smart thermostat, try to look for models that work with as many other smart devices as possible, as many of them can sync this way or not—another way to increase efficiency.
7. Power supply for intelligent thermostats
If you own an older home, one of the main components that you need to look for when installing a new thermostat is whether or not you have the C wire used to power the thermostat, which is what old thermostats don’t need, so chances are the old house doesn’t have one.
Thankfully, you don’t need to redo your entire home’s wiring just because you want a new thermostat, as many models come with extenders that let you install the power yourself.
Some models like the Nest thermostat don’t need a C cord to run, but they will steal power from the oven control circuits to charge the internal batteries.
While this wouldn’t usually be a problem, It has been reported that it can cause problems with some HVAC systems, and in rare cases, they can even damage your circuit board.
If you want to avoid that, the best solution is to hire a professional to install the C-wire, although it will cost you about $150.
8. What other devices do intelligent thermostats support?
Find a thermostat compatible with the most innovative devices you may have installed around your house.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with numerous third-party and Nest products, such as intelligent switches, fans, and lighting systems.
IFTTT (If Then That) support is a popular feature that allows you to activate your thermostat or be activated by other IFTTT-enabled devices or services.
For example, you can create an Applet Program to turn on your smart air conditioner when your thermostat reaches a specific temperature.
Many of the latest intelligent thermostats support voice commands from Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant, allowing you to change temperature settings and find the current temperature with your voice.
Some of the most feature-rich smart thermostats available include Alexa voice control and can do everything a smart speaker can.
You can order music, get the latest news and sports scores, find the weather forecast, change the temperature settings, and more.
9. Can you set up an intelligent thermostat on your own?
Installing a smart thermostat is typically very simple, but understanding how your system is wired is crucial before you start. Before removing your old thermostat, consider your wiring and, if practical, take another photo.
Most contemporary gadgets come with pre-printed labels that you can affix to the cord to help you identify them during installation.
You should also know about your system type, as you will be asked to enter that information during the setup process. Commonly supported HVAC systems include gas, oil, electric, propane, forced air, and radiation.
Smart thermostat
Most smart thermostats work with multi-stage heating and cooling systems. But if you’re also controlling wind ventilation, heat pumps, and whole-house dehumidifiers, make sure you pick the right thermostat.
To prevent harming your system, you should have a professional HVAC technician install the thermostat if your HVAC system is complicated and multi-component.
Another thing to consider is if your system has a C (standard) wire, which supplies the thermostat with steady power.
Almost all smart thermostats require a C-wire, but older homes with older heating systems typically don’t have a C-wire because older thermostats don’t need a wire. Some smart thermostats have a power extender that you can install to power the device.
Other devices, including the Nest thermostat, can be installed without the C-wire but will use power from the oven control circuits to provide enough power for the internal battery to be charged.
While this usually works without issue, it has been known to cause problems with specific HVAC systems and can cycle across the system, generating equipment waste electricity.
If you don’t want to damage your oven’s circuit board, you can get a professional technician to run the C wire for you.
Between installation and equipment costs, the cost of a smart thermostat can be significantly higher than that of a traditional model.
But remember that it can save you on heating and cooling costs over time, not to mention the flexibility it offers when you’re both inside and outside your home.
10. What is a temperature sensor Classifications
Today’s temperature sensors are commonly referred to as thermocouple (or thermocouple) sensors. Temperature sensors are usually composed of two ends with two different materials.
The two ends of the wire will be soldered together at a single point; when this junction experiences a temperature change, a voltage is generated, and the output voltage is in mV.
The voltage can then be decoded using a thermocouple reference table to calculate the temperature, thereby regulating the temperature in your home.
Usually, the current temperature sensor lines will be divided into two large bars, which are PT sensors and thermoform sensors. The PT series with PT100, PT500, and PT1000 are quite popular lines used today on the market.
Besides, thermal sensor lines S, K, R, E, and T are high-level temperature sensors. In particular, the R – S – B thermocouples will be less common because they are often used in applications with relatively high temperatures.
11. Compare and classify current temperature sensor lines:
Most current temperature sensor lines have the same form of formation and operating principle. They differ only in the material of the sensor and, most importantly, in the measuring range.
Each type will have different measuring ranges for other applications, so you should keep this in mind.
PT-type temperature sensor:
Resistive temperature sensors PT is the chemical symbol for platinum and the component that makes up the sensor.
Other lines may use Cu (copper) or Ni (Nickel). The number PT100 represents a value of 100 ohms at 0°C; the same goes for Pt50, Cu50, and Cu100.
The PT sensor line will usually have models such as Pt100, PT500, and PT1000; this is the most used temperature sensor line today because of its specific measuring range.
Especially the Pt100 series of temperature sensors usually have a temperature range of 0÷600°C, which is the most common temperature range in today’s measurement applications.
Thermostat sensor K:
The Curie point, reached by a material at a temperature of 350 °C (662 °F) for type K thermocouples, causes a bias in the output because the nickel component is magnetic.
A magnetic material experiences a considerable change in its magnetic characteristics near the curie point, which results in a significant distortion of the output signal.
It can be used in continuously oxidizing or neutralizing air.• Most use above 538 °C (1000 °F).
Exposure to sulfur contributes to premature spoilage.
Operating at low oxygen concentrations causes an anomaly called preferential oxidation of chromium in the positive wire, causing a condition called ‘green rot,’ which produces the most severe large deviations between 816 and 1038 °C (1500 to 1900 °F). Ventilation or sealing of the guard pipe can prevent or mitigate this.
Cycles above and below 1000 °C (1800 °F) are not recommended due to changes in output from hysteresis effects.
K-type thermocouple sensors (Nickel-Chromium / Nickel-Alumel) are today’s most commonly used temperature sensors because of their reasonable price, high durability, and moderate temperature range.
The lowest error can be selected: ±1.1°C or 0.4%
They usually have a measuring range in the temperature range of -270 ÷ 1200°C.
The standard error of the thermocouple sensor K is within ±2.2°C or 0.75%.
Chromel® consists of 90% nickel and 10% chromium; Alumel® is an alloy composed of 95% nickel, 2% manganese, 2% aluminum, and 1% silicon.
One of the most used thermocouples is type K, which has a sensitivity of roughly 41 V/oC.
Chromel® is the positive wire, and Alumel® is the negative wire.
It is inexpensive, and its range is from –270 °C to +1372 °C (–454 °F to +2501 °F) and is relatively linear.
Thermocouple type J:
Type J thermocouple temperature sensors (Iron / Constantan) are also commonly used like the K type. It has a smaller temperature range and shorter lifespan at higher temperatures than the K-type sensors but is comparable to the K-type in terms of cost and reliability.
Temperature measurement range: -210 760°C
Type J thermocouples have a more limited potential range than type K from -200 to +1200 °C (–328 to 2193 °F) but are more sensitive to about 50 μV/ºC.
It has a linear temperature between 149 and 427 °C (300 to 800 °F) and becomes brittle below 0 °C (32 °F).
At the Curie point of iron at 770 °C (1418 °F), there is an abrupt and permanent change in the output characteristic, which determines the actual temperature limit.
Iron oxidizes at temperatures higher than 538 °C (1000 °F), adversely affecting its accuracy. Only heavy gauge cords are used under these conditions.
The error of thermocouple J is usually ±-2.2°C or 0.75%.
The lowest error can be selected: ±1.1°C or 0.4%
Type J is suitable for vacuum, reduced, or inert atmospheres.
It will reduce the service life if used in an oxidizing environment.
Essential sensor components should not be exposed to sulfur above 538 °C (1000 °F).
Thermocouple type E:
Type E thermocouple (Nickel-Crom / Constantan) temperature sensor has a stronger signal and higher accuracy than type K or J temperature sensors at a moderate temperature range from 537°C to down.
The sensor’s temperature measurement range ranges from -270÷870°C
Error of thermos E ±1.7°C or ±0.5%
Type E has a potential range of –270 to 1000 °C (–454 to 1832 °F).
It is non-magnetic and has the highest output voltage over any standard type temperature change (68 μV/°C).
It also tends to deviate more than other types.
Can choose the lowest error ±1.0°C or 0.4%
Chrome is an alloy of 90% nickel and 10% chromium and is a positive wire.
Constantan is a standard alloy consisting of 55% copper and 45% nickel.
It is recommended for continuous oxidizing or inert gas environments.
Its error limits have not been established for use below zero.
Thermocouple type N:
The N-type thermocouple (Nicrosil / Nisil) temperature sensor will have the same accuracy and temperature limits as the K-type sensor. However, the N-type will be slightly more expensive.
Temperature measurement range: -270 1300°C
The error of the N-type thermos is ±2.2°C or ±0.75%
Can choose the lowest error ±1.1°C or 0.4%
These alloys allow the N-type to achieve higher thermoelectric stability than the base metal grades E, J, K, and T.
The N-type thermocouples have a sensitivity of 39 μV/°C and a potential range of –270 to 1300 °C (–454 to 2372 °F).
N-type thermocouples have been used reliably at temperatures of at least 1200 °C (2192 °F).
Several studies have shown that, in oxidizing atmospheres, the thermoelectric stability of N-type thermocouples is similar to that of noble-metal thermocouples of ANSI types R and S thermocouples up to 1200 °C (2192). °F).
Nicosia is a nickel alloy containing 14.4% chromium, 1.4% silicon, and 0.1% magnesium and is a positive wire.
Neil is an alloy of nickel alloy with 4.4% silicon.
The N-type thermocouple is the latest design accepted by international standards and is increasingly used worldwide.
Do not place N-type thermocouples in a vacuum or reduce or alternate reducing/oxidizing air.
Thermocouple type S:
Thermometer S (Rhodium – 10% / Platinum) thermocouple sensors are temperature sensors used in high-temperature applications.
It is commonly found in the biological and pharmaceutical industries, furnaces, and boilers. Due to its high accuracy and stability and protective shell, typically made of porcelain, it is occasionally used in lower temperature applications.
Temperature measurement range: -50 1600°C
The error of thermocouple S is ±1.5°C or ±0.25%
The lowest error can be selected: ±0.6°C or 0.1%
Thermocouple type R:
The R-type thermocouple temperature sensor (Platinum Rhodium -13% / Platinum) is used in high-temperature applications.
It has a higher Rhodium ratio than the S can sensor, so they are more expensive. Can an R sensor is very similar to an S in terms of performance? It is sometimes used in lower-temperature applications because of its high accuracy and stability. Va has a protective shell that is always porcelain.
Temperature measurement range: -50 1500°C
The error of thermocouple R is ±1.5°C or ±0.25%
It is possible to select the error as low as ±0.6°C or 0.1%
Thermocouple type B:
Type B thermocouple sensor (Platinum Rhodium 30% / Platinum Rhodium 6%): Applications requiring high temperatures use class B thermocouples.
It has the highest temperature limit of all the thermocouples on the above list. Even at extremely high temperatures, it maintains high accuracy and stability.
Commonly found in crucible applications, heat treatment of metals in the metallurgical industries. They can also be found in thermal endurance testers.
Temperature measurement range: 0 1700°C
The error of thermos B is ±0.5%
It is possible to set the error as low as ±0.25%.
User manual for thermostat
Below, will share with readers how to use some of the most common temperature gauges.
How to use controller FOX-1004 Korea
Step 1:
Calculate the SET. score
Calculate SET score: SET= (upper threshold + lower threshold)/2
Example: Room temperature between 24°C – 30°C > SET = 27°C
Step 2:
Set point SET
After you have determined the SET point, we will proceed to install it on the device.
Press the SET key on the machine; the screen will display in flashing form.
Use the arrow keys (up or down) to adjust to the desired SET point.
Press the SET key again to end the installation.
How to install Smart Thermostat?
Although labeled an intelligent device, installing most modern thermostats is not complicated.
However, while there’s not much you need to know about installing appliances yourself, you still need to know a few things about your home system, such as the wiring.
A good tip when installing a new smart thermostat is to take a picture of the old thermostat and how the wires are connected before you remove it to have a good reference point for everything.
House HVAC
If your home has a complex multi-component HVAC system, which means a dehumidifier, heat pump, and whole-house ventilation system, you need to make sure you buy a thermostat that supports all of your home’s needs that feature.
Unfortunately, such a complex system also means that you should let a professional install the thermostat.
I can suggest a few smart thermostats for your house.
Image | Name | Price Link |
 | Google Nest Thermostat – Smart Thermostat for Home | On Amazon, you can see the price right here. |
 | Google Nest Learning Thermostat – Programmable Smart Thermostat for Home | On Amazon, you can see the price right here. |
 | Honeywell Home RCHT8610WF T5 Smart Thermostat Energy Star wifi Programmable Touchscreen Alexa Ready | On Amazon, you can see the price right here. |
Final thought
Some devices look great and can be easily customized, others are super efficient at what it does, and finally, some are simply affordable and therefore available to anyone.
The choice is ultimately yours, and I hope you can choose the best thermostat for your family with the summaries and compatible equipment options I’ve provided.
However, remember that an intelligent thermostat costs more than a standard thermostat. Still, the return on investment will soon come when you see how your electricity and gas bills drop.
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