Re: Thermostats - Landlord Forum thread 359725

Re: Thermostats by Darryl on September 15, 2019 @08:54

For a thermostat that sets the in home temperature, we just use the old mechanical ones, pretty much as basic as you can get - with NO batteries! (dead batteries just seem to throw another monkey wrench into the equation).

Now on the subject of thermostats, we have found an awesome "thermostat temperature monitor" (that sends notifications to your cell phone for user-set temperature rises/drops, and it has an app where you can view all your properties one by one and see hourly temperature updates), very easy to set up and easy to use, $140 total cost includes the thermostat / lockbox enclosure / usb outlet. As an aside: I am in no way affiliated with this company! I just happened to stumble across this thing when I was looking for something to fulfill this purpose, and its been a godsend. Here is a link to the review I wrote on the companies website (it includes links to a lock box enclosure I found on amazon that is 'just' the right size to fit the unit, as well as photos of what the finished product looks like).

https://watchman.online/testimonials#7339703a-35d4-4e76-88f6-03ffecbc008b

In our lease, we have added a clause that states:

47. TEMPERATURE MONITORING Tenant will allow landlord the usage of their WiFi network (internet) for the sole purpose of temperature monitoring. Landlord agrees that he/she will not share wifi credentials with any third party: additionally, landlord agrees that he/she will not use the network for any reason other than purposes directly related to temperature monitoring. Tenant agrees not to tamper or alter the temperature monitoring device in any way.

Also they have a version of this device that not only monitors temperature and humidity, but it also does "butane, propane, methane, carbon monoxide, alcohol, hydrogen, and smoke.".. I was a little hesitant to buy this one, as I am thinking it might pop constantly for nonsense dinner time smoke alarms.. But the most recent monitor we bought had this option, and I'm going to test it out. Im most interested in the carbon monoxide detection.

In any case, for all landlords out there, we highly recommend this. The app and the notifications are the most amazing part of the whole thing. You open the app, and are immediately presented with your list of property addresses that you can click on, and search by date/time, and see a full history of temperature checks. you select the presets for the monitor, and if the temperature goes above/below that preset, you get an alert on your phone. Same if the power or internet goes out. We love it!

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Re: Thermostats by Brendan on September 30, 2019 @16:05	[ Reply ]

A belated thank you. Turns out I have a good thermostat but a crappy Goodman furnace, condenser, and fan, and compressor. And the copper piping seems to be rather porous like swiss cheese. Am I disappointed in my $9400 dollar, one-year-old system at this rental house. Two repair situations with a diagnosis of leaks. I have an empty rental for 3 weeks while I was told to run the system to 75 degrees cooling daily. Then they hope to find the leaks due to some yellow dye. HVAC companies are not reliable and ethical.

Re: Thermostats by lpadave on October 1, 2019 @19:43	[ Reply ]

not to give a plug for GOODMAN or any other system, and I have no ax to grind,......but goodman are not bad systems. most all brands are pretty much the same quality today. Proper sizing is important. Proper system flushing and evacuation with a micron gauge is necessary. good brazing technique is imperative. If at all possible I do not recommend re-use of existing line sets or evaporator coils. Goodman has gotten a bad rap due to their ''open distribution network'' with many hacks and palooka's able to buy them and then installing them or doing change overs when they are incompetent, lazy, sloppy or all three. changeovers from R-22 to 410 can be accomplished using some existing components to save money,....with any brand,....but ya gotta know what you're doing, and take the time and spend the money where you have to spend it. for 9 grand plus,....even with a 5 ton / higher seer ,....sounds like you got taken advantage of. and goodman is way down there at the economy end,....but again,.....not bad equipment. I've had HVAC contractors install many Goodman units in properties I own,...I am a LL not an HVAC guy,...but out of necessity I learned that business as well. It's not that difficult. It ain't brain surgery on a rocket headed for Mars. I hire good HVAC contractors, and tell them what and how I want it. They ask me,....how do I know so much about their business. !! I tell them I'm in the RE business to make money.

Re: Thermostats by lpadave on October 1, 2019 @19:46	[ Reply ]

not to give a plug for GOODMAN or any other system, and I have no ax to grind,......but goodman are not bad systems. most all brands are pretty much the same quality today. Proper sizing is important. Proper system flushing and evacuation with a micron gauge is necessary. good brazing technique is imperative. If at all possible I do not recommend re-use of existing line sets or evaporator coils. Goodman has gotten a bad rap due to their ''open distribution network'' with many hacks and palooka's able to buy them and then installing them or doing change overs when they are incompetent, lazy, sloppy or all three. changeovers from R-22 to 410 can be accomplished using some existing components to save money,....with any brand,....but ya gotta know what you're doing, and take the time and spend the money where you have to spend it. for 9 grand plus,....even with a 5 ton / higher seer ,....sounds like you got taken advantage of. and goodman is way down there at the economy end,....but again,.....not bad equipment. I've had HVAC contractors install many Goodman units in properties I own,...I am a LL not an HVAC guy,...but out of necessity I learned that business as well. It's not that difficult. It ain't brain surgery on a rocket headed for Mars. I hire good HVAC contractors, and tell them what and how I want it. They ask me,....how do I know so much about their business. !! I tell them I'm in the RE business to make money.