Wifi Low temp thermostat

[2slow]

Hello,

I am looking for a Wifi thermostat that is able to control heat to 35 degrees F (40 could be OK but would really prefer 35) Application is the attached garage and the intent is to keep it slightly above freezing to allow the snow etc to melt off the cars. The attached garage is insulated and I am located in SE Michigan. It seems to stay enough above freezing to do this without the addition of heat on all but the coldest days.

For those cold days, I have a 5000W hanging electric heater that I would like to come on to help keep most of the garage above freezing. I would also like to be able to monitor the temp in the garage so I know if it goes below freezing. Since heating with electric is kinda spendy out here, I would prefer to keep the setpoint at 35 to limit the amount of time the heater comes on.

I was unable to find any line voltage SMART thermostats that could control 5000W All smart line voltage thermostats I found were limited to 4000W or less. No worries, I can add a relay which would allow me to use milivolt control rather than line voltage:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037MXM1C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

With the relay, I can basically use any smart thermostat. Unfortunately I have not found a smart thermostat that can control to 35F. It seems the Honeywell smart stats can control to 40F, which is less than ideal, but potentially acceptable. Unfortunately, the thermometer portion of the stat will not read below 40F. (if the room temp is 20F, the stat will still display 40F) This is just silly and makes the stat useless to me as I will never know if the heat is actually working or the room temp is below 40F.

The Nest supposedly can control to 40F, but I do not know if it will display an actual room temp below 40F, or if it is goofy like the Honeywells. Anyone here know? It may be my best option...

So far the only solution I can think of for control to 35F is 2 thermostats in series. A low temp dumb unit like this one set to 35F

ICM Controls FS1500VL Frost Sentry Garage Thermostat for Single-Stage Heating System, Multicolor: Nonprogrammable Household Thermostats: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

ICM Controls FS1500VL Frost Sentry Garage Thermostat for Single-Stage Heating System, Multicolor: Nonprogrammable Household Thermostats: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

in series with a smart thermostat. That way both the smart thermostat and the dumb stat have to be calling for heat for the heater to turn on. Unfortunately, I think I will get some error messages for the smart stat if it stays calling for heat, but does not see the temp rise...

Any better ideas?
Thanks!
-Joe

 

[finn]

You’re of going to get much melting at 36 degrees. I would bet your car still has snow and ice booger’s hanging after parking overnight in a 35 degree garage, especially if the car is cold soaked to fifteen degrees after being outside for ten hours.

Heat transfer and subsequent melting is a function of delta T, to a large extent.

 

[zc15]

Is the only thing the honeywell missing is that it won't act like a thermometer below 40? My understanding is that you're fine with setting it to 40, you just want to know if the temp drops below 40.

 

[2slow]

Yes - the issue with the Honeywell is that it will not report temps below 40 degrees. Worse, it actually reports all temps below 40 degrees as 40 degrees. (If it said "Low" or something like that when below 40 it would be maybe OK, but always reporting the set temp regardless of if you are at it or below the set temp is NOK.)

From what I have seen living here for a few years I get a surprising amount of melting without the heater running. The car has hours to sit in the garage over night and it is coming in relatively clean of snow since I was driving it. It also will have a hot engine / coolant system to help out. I don't park outside of the garage when home so it doesn't get a ton of snow accumulation on it and I don't need a ton of melting.

Having the electric heat kick in at 35 would be ideal. 40 would be less good, but acceptable. Anyone have a WiFi solution for 40F that will also report temps below 40F?

Thanks!
-Joe

 

[Yankeefarmer]

If you are not averse to two separate devices, Govee makes a nice WiFi temperature monitor that also records temperature and humidity. I have one on the wall next to my WiFi thermostat, because the tstat only reports current temperature with no history..

 

[Specracer]

What about something like this? 15A rated Does not state the temp range it covers. Saw some that are wifi enabled also. Search amazon for a "temp controlled outlet"

Amazon.com

 

[jonshonda]

You are going to have a hard time finding anything that works for you. I know when I am searching for a solution to my very common project, and cannot find anything that works, I find that I might have unreasonable expectations and concede to the fact I have to deviate from the project scope.

Long story short, I am pretty sure 45deg is the norm due to the fact most heaters have issues with condensation after prolonged used below that temp.

 

[zc15]

Separate devices get my vote

 

[Mr.N]

Separate devices get my vote

I am very interested in this topic...

 

[zc15]

I am very interested in this topic...

Use the honeywell thermostat to heat to 40. Use a separate thermometer that can read below 40. This seems to meet OP's needs

 

[jlv03]

Nest thermostats have two different methods that might work in this situation. The Eco temp is the default temp when no motion has been detected, which you can set as low as 40. There is also a safety temp that sets a minimum when the thermostat is turned off, 35 is the lowest for this setting.

 

[2slow]

The nest set to off might be a great solution. When the nest is set to off can you still read live temperatures in the app?

I also found this one which at least one previous GJ post someone mentioned they thought it could go down to 35, but it was never confirmed. The reviews are pretty rough on it though. Nest set to off sounds like the hot ticket.

Thanks!
-Joe

 

[2slow]

JLV - Do you think this nest would have the 35degree when off setting?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HRPDBFF/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[nh_yota]

My solution to remote temp monitoring was to point a wifi camera at the thermometer on the wall.

I can't control it but I can verify that the heat is still working.

 

[turbodave]

JLV - Do you think this nest would have the 35degree when off setting?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HRPDBFF/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That's the model I have, and yes you can set it to 35 deg when off and monitor the current temp on the app. I have mine set to 37 and it's been working fine. The app sends a message on nights where it activates the safety mode, and while it doesn't store temp data it does give good data bout how often the furnace is running in the last day/week/month.

Check with your power and gas company for any discounts, mine was 99cents after an instant rebate from our power company this summer.

I have had some frustrations with the eco settings and away mode that I still need to get figured out. Sometimes I'll set it to a temp before I go out there to work and come out to find it in eco mode and at 40deg when I want 50 or 60. I'm sure intermittent garage use wasn't on the radar when they designed these.

 

[fitter30]

Wifi relay

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PLQ25BT/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Low temp stat

ET9 SPST Line Voltage Thermostat 35-75 Deg F 120-277 VAC (Heating Only) ET9S4TS

The ET Series Two-Position Room Thermostat are wall mounted line voltage thermostats suitable for direct connection with any resistance heating elements and unit heaters. This thermostat has a snap action switch operated by a bimetal actuator and is available in single pole, double pole with...

www.google.com

Add a contactor and a box have a 35* wifi stat

 

[Hobby_Man22]

what's the purpose of these wifi thermostats? Does that mean you can turn the heat on when you're at work, so the shop can be nice and toasty when you get home?

 

[finn]

You are going to have a hard time finding anything that works for you. I know when I am searching for a solution to my very common project, and cannot find anything that works, I find that I might have unreasonable expectations and concede to the fact I have to deviate from the project scope.

Long story short, I am pretty sure 45deg is the norm due to the fact most heaters have issues with condensation after prolonged used below that temp.

Maybe. Both my house and shop have condensing boilers and use outside air for combustion, with pvc inlet and exhaust pipes.. condensation shouldn’t be an issue.

Our other house had a similar setup, but was forced air.

 

[jonshonda]

Maybe. Both my house and shop have condensing boilers and use outside air for combustion, with pvc inlet and exhaust pipes.. condensation shouldn’t be an issue.

Our other house had a similar setup, but was forced air.

Yeah that won't be an issue. I was thinking more along the lines of conventional forced air.

 

[dave*99]

I monitor temperature with this device. The Honeywell Home app plots out temperature and humidity readings over time. You can set a temperature alarm and a water (flooding) alarm if you choose. I operate Honeywell thermostats with the same app.
I don't think my thermostats go below 40.

CHW3610W1001 - Resideo CHW3610W1001 - Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector

Resideo CHW3610W1001 - Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector - The average water leak causes $7000 in damage (source American Insurance Association) . Be notified of a water leak while it’s measured in drops. The Lyric™ Water Leak and Freeze Detector detects water with sensors on base of...

www.supplyhouse.com

 

[2slow]

I am using an electric heater, so the condensate is a non issue for this application.

I think the Nest in "off" mode with a safety temp of 35F is the ticket. I think it does everything I want, just a little odd that I have to turn it "off", but I can deal with that.


What is the point of a WiFi thermostat?

In my shop, I can leave the heat low (usually 48F heat because I don't want any chance of freezing there) and turn it up a few hours before I get out there so it is nice and comfy.

I can monitor the temp from anywhere and confirm there are no issues.

At home, I use it more as a temp monitor when I am away, but occasionally adjust the temp from bed if I am cold or hot in the middle of the night.

For my attached garage application which started this thread, it is mostly to allow me to monitor the garage temp. (this is why the Honeywell is NOK) If it is a mild year, it may only go below freezing 10 nights or so of the year. With the little (5000W) electric heater, I hope to keep it above marginally above freezing even on those days. I do not keep anything that is freeze sensitive in the garage, so I am much more comfortable with a low set point like 35 and don't care if the temp dips below freezing in some local parts of the garage - I just want the snow on my car to melt.

-Joe

 

[Bretny]

You’re of going to get much melting at 36 degrees. I would bet your car still has snow and ice booger’s hanging after parking overnight in a 35 degree garage, especially if the car is cold soaked to fifteen degrees after being outside for ten hours.

Heat transfer and subsequent melting is a function of delta T, to a large extent.

You would be suprised what 35* and a box fan can accomplish. Moving the air helps quite a bit.