Insteon Home Automation newb questions - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Raceleader · 2012-06-12, 11:58 AM

Hi there,
Yeah as you can see i'm a new subscriber to this forum. I am planning on "playing" a little bit with home automation and i think Insteon might be good for easy to moderate "do it yourself" automation. But before buying my first starting kit i have a few question you guyz might help me with.

To put you in context i want to control a few lights here and there, a few outlet and electric heating. One important thing is that i have to be able to manage my scenes/programs from an iPad/iPhone.

Starter kit
I don't know wich controller to choose :
http://www.insteon.net/2412N-smartli...ontroller.html or
http://www.insteon.net/12233DB-ISY-99i-PRO.html
I think i have read somewhere that the 2412n only let you program "ONE" on/off schedule by day/per switch ( ie : can't program on @ 6.00am/off @ 8.00am AND on @ 4pm/off @ 10pm ) But the ISY-99i can permit that.
- Is that true ?
- Any other benefits of one or the other ?

Thermostat
I don't have HVAC @ home. Only standard electric 240v radiant heating. It seems i cant find controllable thermostat to suites my need. Only want to program heating if needed at a certain temperature/time.
- Any thermostat you know to be compatible with Insteon controller ?

Thanks in advance for all comments/advice you have to share.

Danno100 · 2012-06-12, 08:59 PM

I'll try my best. First off, the 2412N is inexpensive ($99) and simple. However, it does work with an iPhone/iPad out of the box. Other than switches, nothing else is needed. It can work with X-10, and it can control 120/240V devices plus thermostats.

The 2412N can be programmed to turn devices on and off multiple times in a day. I do that now.

The ISY device is more expensive (about $310) plus it needs a separate PLM controller ($90) but has much greater functionality. It does everything the 2412N does and a lot more.

It is up to you if you need that functionality. My 2412N works for me and I have about 25 devices hooked up to it.

I am not aware of any thermostat for Insteon for 240V baseboard heaters. You could control the 240V circuit with an Insteon wall switch, but not the temperature. However, I can turn on my pool heater with Insteon. The heater has a thermostat that remembers the temperature setting when turned off. So when I turn on the pool heater, it goes to the previously set temperature.

Raceleader · 2012-06-13, 08:55 AM

Hello Danno,

Thanks for answering my questions. About the ISY what do you mean by : " It does everything the 2412N does and a lot more "

For the 110/220V remotly programmable device. There must be something somewhere.

aartech · 2012-06-13, 10:14 AM

95% of all automated thermostats are low voltage only. But what you can do is use the low voltage thermostat to trigger a relay that can in turn drive the 120V or 240V baseboard heat. Your HVAC guy or electrician should be able to help you with this to make sure you get the right product and do it safely.

ISY99i (or currently ISY994 series) offers:
email alerts
conditional logic (if door opens and it's after 5pm and it's dark)
support for plugins for triggering forecast, or for use with energy devices
much more advanced programs (triggers/rules)
supports elk alarms
can actually be used to create/modify scenes and links
excellent Insteon link management
isy994 series specifically has expansion slot - plans are for zigbee/zwave
support for more devices

That being said, 2412N has improved lately and now they have a decent iphone/android app and a bit better functionality and many people find it to be quite sufficient. It just depends on your needs/wants. We sell both depending on the situation.

2012-06-12, 11:58 AM	#1
Raceleader Rookie Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 6	Insteon Home Automation newb questions Hi there, Yeah as you can see i'm a new subscriber to this forum. I am planning on "playing" a little bit with home automation and i think Insteon might be good for easy to moderate "do it yourself" automation. But before buying my first starting kit i have a few question you guyz might help me with. To put you in context i want to control a few lights here and there, a few outlet and electric heating. One important thing is that i have to be able to manage my scenes/programs from an iPad/iPhone. Starter kit I don't know wich controller to choose : http://www.insteon.net/2412N-smartli...ontroller.html or http://www.insteon.net/12233DB-ISY-99i-PRO.html I think i have read somewhere that the 2412n only let you program "ONE" on/off schedule by day/per switch ( ie : can't program on @ 6.00am/off @ 8.00am AND on @ 4pm/off @ 10pm ) But the ISY-99i can permit that. - Is that true ? - Any other benefits of one or the other ? Thermostat I don't have HVAC @ home. Only standard electric 240v radiant heating. It seems i cant find controllable thermostat to suites my need. Only want to program heating if needed at a certain temperature/time. - Any thermostat you know to be compatible with Insteon controller ? Thanks in advance for all comments/advice you have to share. Last edited by Raceleader; 2012-06-12 at 03:25 PM.

2012-06-13, 10:14 AM	#4
aartech Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 45	95% of all automated thermostats are low voltage only. But what you can do is use the low voltage thermostat to trigger a relay that can in turn drive the 120V or 240V baseboard heat. Your HVAC guy or electrician should be able to help you with this to make sure you get the right product and do it safely. ISY99i (or currently ISY994 series) offers: email alerts conditional logic (if door opens and it's after 5pm and it's dark) support for plugins for triggering forecast, or for use with energy devices much more advanced programs (triggers/rules) supports elk alarms can actually be used to create/modify scenes and links excellent Insteon link management isy994 series specifically has expansion slot - plans are for zigbee/zwave support for more devices That being said, 2412N has improved lately and now they have a decent iphone/android app and a bit better functionality and many people find it to be quite sufficient. It just depends on your needs/wants. We sell both depending on the situation. __________________ Disclaimer: Employee of Aartech Canada

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2012-06-12, 08:59 PM	#2
Danno100 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Outside of Toronto Posts: 292	I'll try my best. First off, the 2412N is inexpensive ($99) and simple. However, it does work with an iPhone/iPad out of the box. Other than switches, nothing else is needed. It can work with X-10, and it can control 120/240V devices plus thermostats. The 2412N can be programmed to turn devices on and off multiple times in a day. I do that now. The ISY device is more expensive (about $310) plus it needs a separate PLM controller ($90) but has much greater functionality. It does everything the 2412N does and a lot more. It is up to you if you need that functionality. My 2412N works for me and I have about 25 devices hooked up to it. I am not aware of any thermostat for Insteon for 240V baseboard heaters. You could control the 240V circuit with an Insteon wall switch, but not the temperature. However, I can turn on my pool heater with Insteon. The heater has a thermostat that remembers the temperature setting when turned off. So when I turn on the pool heater, it goes to the previously set temperature.

2012-06-13, 08:55 AM	#3
Raceleader Rookie Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 6	Hello Danno, Thanks for answering my questions. About the ISY what do you mean by : " It does everything the 2412N does and a lot more " For the 110/220V remotly programmable device. There must be something somewhere.