[Home] Costco: Honeywell Thermostat RTH6580WF (Wifi enabled) $119.99

[Gweedz]

That peaksaver thermostat looks kinda like the Honeywell, minus the buttons.

WG

It is a debranded Honeywell.

Just an FYI for those looking at wireless thermostats. All of them require a 'C' wire to charge the wireless module, with the exception of the Nest.
WG

Peaksaver guy will install a module at your furnace giving you the C wire to the thermostat.

My fathers peak saver is a Honeywell debranded. It's a touch screen like mine, but only a 5+2. I prefer full 7 day programmable.

This past summer the tech was at my house and said they are coming out with a firmware update giving it a full 7 days. He said it would be available in September and just call in. I did that and asked for it but at first was told they don't have such a thing, but then they said they will only do it if the existing one is "malfunctioning". Basically they don't want to send a tech just to reflash (has to be on-site).

One thing with the Peaksaver is you don't have physical control over it. A relative in HVAC can't touch the Peaksaver units when doing service on a house, can't disconnect them without getting Hydro involved. At least with the Honeywell you own it and control it.

Why even touch it when you have lifetime warranty for parts and labour? Call them and if it's not working they'll be there immediately. Guy showed up in 1.5 hrs after my call.
If you really like connecting and disconnecting stuff just call Peaksaver to cancel the service - then you own the devices to do whatever you want with. Most likely will lose the wireless features (since it goes through their website).
But, they have no way of knowing if it's disconnected without actually entering your home. So no harm in temporary work around the house - your HVAC relative is a wuss, hahaha.

Peaksaver sets up your house so that when you need AC the most, you don't get AC. My neighbours had it installed. On the hottest days of the year, their AC would be shut off for brief periods. Nice.

It seems all the negative comments come from relatives of friends of neighbors of people who don't even own one.

i've had peaksaver for 3+ years and have never not been in control of my thermostat. and even if they did, they don't shut off ac, just raise the temp by one or two degrees... saves me paying $200 for some flashy thermostat, and i even got a discount on my utilities for a month from an incentive for signing up

Agree, yet even 1 or 2 degrees is excessive - more than likely it won't even be noticeable. Especially if you work during the day.


Oh yeah, and if the Peaksaver program is not enough right now (in Ontario at least) you sign up for Peaksaver plus and get a free energy monitor valued at about $80 I think. Plus some times even give a cash incentive.

Free programmable WIFI thermostat, energy monitor, cash back (maybe), installation, lifetime warranty. That's the RFD way.

[Shamb1es]

Since Honeywell has removed all their competition through litigation I refuse to buy any of their products anymore. Once you start looking around you realize it's god damn hard to buy a reasonable thermostat that isn't Honeywell because of this. I did find a decent 7-day programmable thermostat from Lowes that wasn't Honeywell that I've been fairly happy with. It was $50. The only other non-Honeywell option seems to be dumping an asinine $250 on a nest.

[Gweedz]

Mind you this is PeakSaver Plus http://www.torontohydro.com/sites/el...saverFAQs.aspx

So yeah, they SHUT OFF your AC

Last time I checked my AC would automatically cycle itself anyway. So what's your point?

If you're paranoid of it getting warm then:
A) Lower the t-stat temp a degree on the super hot days (they cycled it ONCE all last year. ONE single day. I found out a week later when I logged into my account)
B) Call in to opt out of that particular day
C) Go to work during the day

Seriously, unless you're a heat-stroke prone senior citizen who stays home all day making ice sculptures you won't notice a difference.

[wildzero]

Last time I checked my AC would automatically cycle itself anyway. So what's your point?

If you're paranoid of it getting warm then:
A) Lower the t-stat temp a degree on the super hot days (they cycled it ONCE all last year. ONE single day. I found out a week later when I logged into my account)
B) Call in to opt out of that particular day
C) Go to work during the day
Seriously, unless you're a heat-stroke prone senior citizen who stays home all day making ice sculptures you won't notice a difference.

+1; a Peaksaver event day (when they cycle down your A/C) only happens during peak hours. Peak hours are during the hottest periods of the summer and when the industrial load is high. So basically Monday to Friday between the hours of 11am and 3pm.... So if you work M-F 9-5 you wont even notice that an event day has occured!!!

[sabrederek]

Anyone seen this at GTA Costco yet ? Checked Scarborough store yesterday no luck

Was in the Markham store (7 and Woodbine) and they didn't have any but looked them up. Elgin Mills and 404 store had 54... well 53 now as I bought one for the $119.99. They didn't say but it appears this is the only store that had stock or enough to make it worthwhile to drive to. It was only a short drive from where i was already so I went.

Costco stock number is 613427

[EugW]

Mind you this is PeakSaver Plus http://www.torontohydro.com/sites/el...saverFAQs.aspx

So yeah, they SHUT OFF your AC

According to some people in this thread, Toronto Hydro must either by lying or at best mistaken.

It seems all the negative comments come from relatives of friends of neighbors of people who don't even own one.

Uh yeah. My neighbours told me of their experience, a good reason not to get it. Their AC was SHUT OFF several times at the hottest times of the day for 15-20 mins each time.

Agree, yet even 1 or 2 degrees is excessive - more than likely it won't even be noticeable. Especially if you work during the day.

If you're keeping your AC on during the day while you're at work, you're doin' it wrong.

Otherwise, 2 degrees C is easily noticeable, esp. if it's humid. 25C with moderately high humidity in the house sucks. 23C with lower humidity is much, much more comfortable.

[Wrocky]

Peaksaver sets up your house so that when you need AC the most, you don't get AC. My neighbours had it installed. On the hottest days of the year, their AC would be shut off for brief periods. Nice.

They say it was better last year because the utility company readjusted their thresholds for activating the peaksaver functionality, but personally, I'd much rather spend $50 on a programmable thermostat and keep control of my own house myself.

So why the . It was doing exactly what the peaksaver program was designed to do. When demand outstrips supply, it shuts down or cycles a high power consuption non essential device. Or is this a facepalm for your neighbors who agreed to and signed up for a service that they didn't understand.

[flaming homer]

+1; a Peaksaver event day (when they cycle down your A/C) only happens during peak hours. Peak hours are during the hottest periods of the summer and when the industrial load is high. So basically Monday to Friday between the hours of 11am and 3pm.... So if you work M-F 9-5 you wont even notice that an event day has occured!!!

So what do I do when I have seniors and kids at home during summer weekdays ? Bring them to work with me ?

To the other wanker - "Cycle" means turn off, I'm willing to bet your AC never shuts off for more than 30 minutes when it's 40C outside when you need it

Was in the Markham store (7 and Woodbine) and they didn't have any but looked them up. Elgin Mills and 404 store had 54... well 53 now as I bought one for the $119.99. They didn't say but it appears this is the only store that had stock or enough to make it worthwhile to drive to. It was only a short drive from where i was already so I went.

Costco stock number is 613427

Thanks for the info, Elgin Mills is too far so hopefully it'll go southwards soon

[evil-doer]

this thread made me look up the two thermostats i installed few years ago.. and it turns out they were recalled because they can overheat and emit smoke.. :O

the recall was 2 years ago. i wonder if im still eligible for the free upgrade?

[EugW]

So why the . It was doing exactly what the peaksaver program was designed to do. When demand outstrips supply, it shuts down or cycles a high power consuption non essential device. Or is this a facepalm for your neighbors who agreed to and signed up for a service that they didn't understand.

The facepalm is directed at those who claimed it doesn't shut off. It DOES shut off, as evidenced by people who have the unit. That's what it's designed to do, and Toronto Hydro says so right on their website.

However, as I've said before, what it is designed to do is exactly the opposite of what I want my AC to be doing on the hottest of days, which is why I think "saving" a few bux on a thermostat this way is a bad idea for me, and a lot of other people. If you want to save money, you can shut it off yourself, or program your thermostat to do the same thing. It's a way better solution than having some random algorithm at a central site make your choices for you.

Now if you're at work and nobody (including pets) is at home, then it's stupid to have the AC running in the first place, so you should not need peaksaver then either. If you do need peaksaver then, then you have not programmed your thermostat properly.

[dtych]

Just an FYI Union Gas in Ontario offers a $25.00 rebate if you purchase a programmable thermostat.

It is a credit that gets applied towards one of your bills. Must be bought and submitted before December 31, 2012.

Here is the link if anyone is interested. http://www.uniongas.com/residential/...thermostat.asp

Here is the link for the coupon: http://www.uniongas.com/residential/...Coupon0108.pdf

[Look4Deal]

Nest Gen 2 is now available at Home Depot (in store only) - saw it there for $249 CAD plus tax - you save the shipping cost from US - still expensive compared to the Honeywell Wifi thermostats.

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/nest...2nd-gen/814462 EARN CASH BACK

Slick design! But a bit too expensive for me!

[RubberCheese]

The facepalm is directed at those who claimed it doesn't shut off. It DOES shut off, as evidenced by people who have the unit. That's what it's designed to do, and Toronto Hydro says so right on their website.

But most people are talkign about Peaksaver (which increases the thermostat temp by 2deg for up to 2 hours at a time) and you are talking about Peaksaver PLUS (which will cycle AC/poolpumps/etc). I have signed up for Peaksaver, but would think twice before going to PLUS.

[joshmxpx]

Last time I checked my AC would automatically cycle itself anyway. So what's your point?

If you're paranoid of it getting warm then:
A) Lower the t-stat temp a degree on the super hot days (they cycled it ONCE all last year. ONE single day. I found out a week later when I logged into my account)
B) Call in to opt out of that particular day
C) Go to work during the day

Seriously, unless you're a heat-stroke prone senior citizen who stays home all day making ice sculptures you won't notice a difference.

all good points

+1; a Peaksaver event day (when they cycle down your A/C) only happens during peak hours. Peak hours are during the hottest periods of the summer and when the industrial load is high. So basically Monday to Friday between the hours of 11am and 3pm.... So if you work M-F 9-5 you wont even notice that an event day has occured!!!

My neighbours told me of their experience, a good reason not to get it. Their AC was SHUT OFF several times at the hottest times of the day for 15-20 mins each time.

OMG!!!! 15 mins without A/C???!!!1! Did they survive?

If you're keeping your AC on during the day while you're at work, you're doin' it wrong.

Otherwise, 2 degrees C is easily noticeable, esp. if it's humid. 25C with moderately high humidity in the house sucks. 23C with lower humidity is much, much more comfortable.

Suck it up; turn on a fan or sit in your basement. i'm pretty sure i had my thermostat set to 24/25 all summer, and i made it through alright

[porksoda]

turning ac off during the day doesn't really save any $. This ensures that there is not as much energy demand during work days. I tried increasing temp during day then on during offpeak... the difference is usually couple of bucks a month and its not worth it if you have family living in the house during the days.