This is a pretty speculative query, but here goes.
My home is divided into a number of zones, each with its own temperature sensor, thermostatic radiator valve(s) and virtual thermostat. Currently, the temperature sensors are opnenergymonitor TH1 devices connected to an emonPi. Of late, these are becoming unreliable and I’m considering swapping them out.
I’m happy with the basic architecture, but it would be useful to have up/down buttons on the sensors so that a room user could directly influence the target temperature. Ideally, I’m looking for something that has a temperature sensor in it, and a couple of generic buttons, and that can communicate using Zigbee (as I have a mature Zigbee environment). WiFi would be acceptable.
I accept that I’m probably not going to get that, and may have to roll my own, but I was wondering if there is anything close that I can hack?
Interesting question.
My best guess would be to use a standard Zigbee thermostat controller.
This device has the readout of the current and desired temperature onscreen, and also buttons to control the desired temperature.
In your automation, you can query the current and desired temperature, and use these parameters to activate or deactivate your heating devices. In an advanced setup you could also use this to de-humidify the room (eg. a bathroom)
Disclaimer: I haven’t tried this out (yet). Normally a thermostat controller is connected to your heating system. But I see no reason why you cannot use it “unplugged” as I described above.
Again, interesting question. Well thanks a lot, now I have to buy myself a thermostat controller to check this out.
Hi! I’m not sure if this will help, but I think you might be looking for a thermostat. The simplest way to find one is to visit this website (search Thermostat). Based on your Zigbee configuration and budget, you can find one that suits your needs. Hope this helps!
Thanks, @Bekie.
I looked at Zigbee thermostats, but you’re talking a lot of money; and paying for functionality that I don’t really need. A quick look shows Zigbee Thermostats costing ~£75. For six zones, I’d be looking at something in the region of £450. An emonTH cost £44.
Wouldn’t a separate sensor and button do the trick? Just get any battery powered zigbee temperature sensor. I have good experience with Aqara but also with chaeap AliX ones (forgot the brand name). And then use a two button dimmer switch for moving temperature up and down. You’d have to make an automation for that but it seems it would be a fairly simple one. You won’t have visual information about the actual value of the setpoint this way of course, but it’s a low cost way to achieve what you need.
This is assuming the temperature regulation is done centrally, and all you need is a device to report the temperature to your central unit, and a device to communicate a change to the zone’s setpoint.
Thanks, @allard77.
Yes, I can, and I may well end up going down that route. I could even home-brew something, but before I started, I was wondering if anybody had been down this route before me.
I guess the DIYless boards sort of do what you want, thought it’s ESP based so wifi not Zigbee. And a bit overkill since you do not need the thermostat functionality. But they do have a sensor and buttons and a screen and they are less expensive than some others. https://diyless.com/
Definitely don’t get a full-on thermostat with 3-6 relays for fans, heating, cooling, etc. A basic single-relay thermostat like for a water boiler or floor heater is all you need, since you’re not even wiring the relay — you’re just using it as a thermometer and a user interface for on / off / set point. You might be able to find them for under £20.
