Internet-Enabled Thermostat

ptorrone writes "Engadget has a little write-up of what is supposed to be the world's first Internet-enabled thermostat from Proliphix, which has an Ethernet port and a built-in web server and can be controlled from virtually any standard browser. So how long until everything in the home has its own IP address and script kiddies decide to get their kicks messing with your air conditioning during a heat wave?"

A better solution

[SIGALRM]

Proliphix's Internet-enabled thermostat

During those odd weather patterns, I've often thought it would be nice to adjust the temperature settings at home, or perhaps increase air circulation, etc. So I bought an OmniPro II home controller system [smarthome.com], which does this--and more (lights, security, etc)--remotely. So, the Proliphix isn't the first of its kind... but it's still a "cool" idea ;)

Cut out the middleman/spam

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.proliphix.com/pro_products_consumer.htm l [proliphix.com]

Re:The whole idea is crazy!!!

[LostCluster]

Home automation is actually pretty simple and the idea's been around for years. Instead of a thermostat being set at a particular level all of the time, it can be dynamically reset by software logic based on whatever rules you can think of. In the mainstream now, there are simple hardware based models that can change their settings based on time of day paterns, but just think of the potential power if a thermostat could base its rules on more relavant details like the outdoor conditions and whether there are people home or not.

Already here....

[mishmash]

Doing this over the phone has been possible for ages... with devices like this [smarthome.com].

Also Dilbert's house [unitedmedia.com] is online.... And an Internet enabled washing machine [amazon.co.uk], and this internet enabled microwave [amazon.co.uk] are onsale in the UK.. Interestingly aren't available at amazon.com yet [amazon.com]

I may be the only one....but.....

[Savet Hegar]

I don't see why a thermostat NEEDS to be network enabled.

Not only is it not too terrible of an inconvenience to get up and walk to the thermostat, but now we have to protect our thermostat with a firewall??

As it was mentioned earlier, I don't think it will be long before the kiddies start creating a windows exploit that attacks the thermostat. Imagine having your heat go out in -10 degree weather. This is a situation where a cracker could actually put someone's life at stake in the right circumstances.

Very bad marketing!

[RockyMountain]

Proliphix's web site is an example of VERY bad marketing.

At the right price, I'd probably buy one. Even if they don't sell them directly, surely Proliphix's web site ought to give some clue how or where to buy one. What retailers carry them? Who sells them on the internet? How much they cost? Something!

There's a link labelled "DEALERS", but it only describes how to become a dealer, not how to find an existing dealer.

I invested 5 minutes searching for this info, and found nothing. Even a Google search turned up nothing. During those 5 minutes, I stumbled over many competing products (not identical, rather more X-10ish, but still, other people who will gladly take the customers money before the customer ever tracks down how to buy a Proliphix.

REcipe number one poor man's ip thermometer:

[dindi]

ingridients: old pc (i386 from garage sale)
joystick port
2 thermistors (2kohm if i remember right)
linux distro (eg debian) -dos works too, but no tcpip stack

old joystick

preparation:
1. open up joy, locate potmeters
2. replace with thermistors
3. install op sys with joy support
4 calibrate thermistors (eg in +50c water and -10c fridge.
5. read values, post it on website ...

optional:
parallel port device control - never did that (other than 8 leds connected for a load meter)

on the other hand with a cheap pc+serial port + X1 you can really program some fancy llighting scheme and even heating stuff ....

Re:Automated Windows?

[Anonymous Coward]

Instead of opening windows, you can let outside air in your system with a duct that leads outside, and two dampers with motors, one that shuts off the recirculated air, and one that opens up to the outside. This is done all the time in commercial systems. It's called an economizer.
What we do is calculate outside humidity, space temp and outside temp, and using an enthalpy chart, decide when to open the economizer. The temp can be lower outside, but if it's too humid, the unit needs to work more to remove the water from the air.

Re:How long before they can DDOS a powerplant?

[Anonymous Coward]

Or the other way.

What if the utility can dump off load in peak situations? Enough load shedding can replace construction of a new power plant.

The local school board has an arrangement where they shut off electric heat at the request of the utility. They receive a hefty rebate each year, with no noticeable difference in comfort levels.

A number of years ago, Ontario Hydro had a system where electric hot water tanks would shut off on a signal piggybacked on the power line. Again a rebate was available. In most cases, no-one would notice.

I work in the hvac industry, and having the capability to upload settings to a thermostat would be very handy.

Of course some kind of security mechanism is necessary.
Derek