SmartThings Thermostat: Auto-Off When Window Opens
Automating Thermostat Control with SmartThings and Window Sensors
Enjoying pleasant weather and opening windows is a common practice. It’s also easy to inadvertently leave the air conditioning running, leading to wasted energy.
Fortunately, integrating a smart thermostat, such as the Ecobee3, with the SmartThings platform allows for automated shutdown of your cooling system when a window is opened.
Understanding SmartThings
SmartThings represents Samsung’s comprehensive smarthome solution. It offers a streamlined interface for homeowners and renters to monitor and manage their properties remotely.
Furthermore, it centralizes control of various smarthome devices within a single, intuitive application.
Leveraging Multipurpose Sensors for Efficiency
By utilizing a SmartThings Multipurpose Sensor, which accurately detects the open or closed state of doors and windows, a signal can be transmitted to your smart thermostat.
This signal instructs the thermostat to cease operation whenever the sensor indicates an open window, preventing unnecessary energy consumption.
While the process is relatively straightforward, it involves several steps. Let’s begin the setup procedure.
- This automation ensures energy isn't wasted cooling the outdoors.
- The system provides a convenient and efficient way to manage home climate control.
Connecting Your Smart Thermostat to SmartThings
SmartThings offers compatibility with several smart thermostats, encompassing models like the Ecobee3, and select devices from Honeywell (including the Lyric series), as well as those produced by RCS, Radio, Zen, and Fidure. While Nest integration isn’t natively supported, achieving similar functionality is often possible through the use of IFTTT.
To establish a connection between your smart thermostat and the SmartThings platform, initiate the process by opening the SmartThings application and navigating to the "My Home" tab, located at the screen’s bottom.
Select the "+" icon situated in the upper-right corner of the display.
Upon the appearance of a pop-up at the screen’s base, choose "Add a Thing".
From the presented list, select the category "Climate Control".
Subsequently, tap on "Thermostats".
Identify and select the manufacturer corresponding to your smart thermostat. In this example, "Ecoee" is selected, assuming an Ecobee3 thermostat is in use.
Choose "ecobee3 Smart Thermostat".
Initiate the connection process by tapping "Connect Now".
Tap within the designated box labeled "Click to enter Ecobee Credentials". Note that this procedure may vary based on the specific smart thermostat model.
Enter your Ecobee account details and then select "Log In".
On the subsequent screen, confirm your consent by tapping "Accept".
Return to the previous screen by tapping the arrow in the top-left corner.
Tap within the box displaying "Tap to choose" in red.
Place a checkmark next to your smart thermostat and then tap "Done".
Next, select "Select Ecobee Sensors".
Select the remote Ecobee3 sensors that you wish to integrate with SmartThings. For the purpose of this guide, the remote sensors aren’t essential, but they may prove useful for future SmartThings integration features.
Afterward, tap "Done" in the top-right corner.
Your Ecobee3 thermostat, along with any associated remote sensors, will now be listed among the devices connected to your SmartThings system.
Step Two: Establishing an Automated Thermostat Control "Routine"
Once your smart thermostat is successfully connected to the SmartThings platform, navigate to the "Routines" tab, located at the bottom of the screen.
Initiate the creation of a new routine by tapping the "+" button positioned in the top-right corner of the interface.
Within the designated input field labeled "What do you want to do?", provide a descriptive name for the routine. Confirm your selection by pressing "Next" upon completion.
Scroll down the options and select "Set the thermostat".
Proceed by tapping on the "Which?" option.
Choose your smart thermostat from the list and then confirm your selection by tapping "Done".
Subsequently, tap on the "When cooling" setting.
Input a relatively high temperature value, such as 85, to effectively disable the air conditioning system. As SmartThings lacks a direct "off" function for thermostats, this serves as the optimal alternative. Confirm your entry by selecting "Done".
Next, select "Automatically perform [routine name]".
From the presented list, choose "Something opens or closes".
On the subsequent screen, tap on "Which?".
Select the specific sensor that will trigger the automation. For instance, a patio door sensor can be utilized, as it is commonly opened to allow for fresh air circulation. Confirm your choice by pressing "Done"; multiple sensors can be selected.
The "Does this" setting is already configured to "Open", so no modification is necessary. Finalize the selection by tapping "Done" in the top-right corner.
Tap "Done" once more to save the routine.
The newly created routine will now appear in the list and will be automatically activated.
To re-enable thermostat operation upon window closure, a complementary routine must be created. This second routine should reverse the initial settings, restoring the thermostat to its standard temperature. With both routines configured, windows can be opened without the need to manually disable the air conditioning system.
Image credit: auris/Bigstock, SmartThings, Ecobee