http://www.idkfa.com/v3 idkfa: syndicated http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4694 In California those with PG&E are required to have a SmartMeter. It will record your energy usage on an hourly basis which you can view online. Nice "free" technology we end up paying through with higher rates. I guess what irks me here are the progressive rate structure which charges you more per kWh the more you use. Yet they don't change demand, only usage. In my opinion how I have my AC set (to allow the house to warm up during the week while I'm gone then cool before I'm home) increases my hourly demand in the late afternoon (~4 kWh/hr) then leaving it at my house temperature all day long (which would have it flatline around ~2.5 kWh/h. That swing demand is what is hard for untillities to handle, not consistent baseline. I don't know, when I get down to it, insulation will do more over the long run than any thermostat gadget, IMHO, boring as it may sound. gunner125@idkfa.com (gunner125) Cognitive Surplus Sun, 14 Oct 2012 14:04:29 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4694 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4686 You're right. The Auto Away sensor really is as smart as they say it is. Most times we walk by the Nest it's on our way out the door, so we thought it wouldn't be that smart as far as sensing if we were away, but it totally figured it out. kitacek@idkfa.com (kitacek) Cognitive Surplus Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:55:49 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4686 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4653 I should save ~20 a month in the deep of winter! So it should pay off in a couple years. kitacek@idkfa.com (kitacek) Cognitive Surplus Fri, 28 Sep 2012 23:23:30 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4653 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4651 This makes me wonder, you are definitely not going to be using AC. So what are your expectations in terms of energy efficiency gained through your heating system with your new thermostat? MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) Cognitive Surplus Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:59:18 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4651 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4648 Nest Installed! Easy! kitacek@idkfa.com (kitacek) Cognitive Surplus Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:27:10 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4648 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4631 Yeah I got nothing on the AC side, besides some windows that open and some fans and shorts. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) Cognitive Surplus Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:35:18 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4631 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4630 In particular, the Airwave functionality is damn cool for A/C users. conrad@idkfa.com (conrad) Cognitive Surplus Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:16:15 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4630 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4629 you probably don't have AC in Seattle, but in my humble opinion and brief back-of-the-napkin analysis, the Nest can do more for AC users than it can for heating users. That's not to say that it won't work, I'm just saying the larger potential for energy/cost savings is on the electric side. kitacek@idkfa.com (kitacek) Cognitive Surplus Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:12:28 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4629 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4628 We already have a programmable thermostat but it isn't perfect. We're looking forward to the remote login capabilities, too. Since I was only in there starting in March, I don't have much of a history to compare it to, but I can make a pretty good guess. kitacek@idkfa.com (kitacek) Cognitive Surplus Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:11:08 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4628 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4626 Now that the month is approaching that I will actually need to turn my heat back on, something like this is quite tempting. Granted our winters aren't half bad in Seattle, but still I wouldn't mind cutting my bill by a bit from now till next May or so when I can turn the heat back off again. What would really do the trick is probably having my ducts set up in at least two zones, one each for the upstairs and downstairs, and a more efficient furnace. But its hard to jump for a new furnace when ours is in good shape and isn't all that old. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) Cognitive Surplus Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:20:22 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4626 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4625 It will seriously change your home heating bill. I installed on in January, and it's been revolutionary. Love being able to change the set point from my iPhone. Also, the "auto away" functionality is just as smart as they claim it to be. So cool. conrad@idkfa.com (conrad) Cognitive Surplus Mon, 24 Sep 2012 13:51:08 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4625 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4620 We ordered a Nest Learning Thermostat. We'll keep you appraised of how it goes. kitacek@idkfa.com (kitacek) Cognitive Surplus Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:21:38 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4620&msg_id=4620