Home Automation Omnistat RC-81 Owner's Manual

O M N I S T A T

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATING THERMOSTAT

Owner's Manual

RC-81 Single Stage Heat/Cool

Real Time Pricing System

Document Number 13R00-2

January, 1997

:

DAY

P

COOL

AUTO

Hold Prog Mode Fan

OMNISTAT

Copyright © 1997 Home Automation, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

..................................

1

DESCRIPTION

....................................

1

MAINTENANCE

...................................

1

OPERATION

.....................................

2

DISPLAY

........................................

4

REAL TIME PRICING SYSTEM

.......................

6

SETTING THE CURRENT TIME AND DAY

...............

7

PROGRAMMING

..................................

8

SETTING THE VARIATION FOR HIGHER RATES

.........

8

OVERRIDING THE VARIATION SETTINGS

..............

9

SETTING TIME SCHEDULES

.........................

9

SYSTEM MODE

...................................

11

AUTOMATIC TIME UPDATE

.........................

11

ANTICIPATION

...................................

12

This thermostat is Listed by Underwriter's Laboratories and
UL Canada.

This thermostat has been tested and found to comply with the
requirements of the European Union for Electromagnetic
Interference, Electromagnetic Immunity and Safety under the
applicable EMI and Low Voltage Directives and Standards.

This thermostat has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the
FCC Rules.

This product generates and can radiate radio frequency
energy. Due to its low power design, it is unlikely to
interfere with radio and TV communications. If it is
suspected of doing so, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the problem by reorienting the receiver's antenna, moving the
receiver away from the product, or consulting an experienced
radio/TV technician for help.

FCC

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing your new RC-81 electronic communicating
thermostat. Your thermostat will provide you with comfort,
convenience, and energy savings for years to come.

We hope that you take a few moments to become familiar with all of
the features of this fine product by reviewing this manual. Please
keep this manual on file for future reference.

DESCRIPTION

The RC-81 is a precision digital thermostat with Real Time Pricing
for single stage heating and cooling systems. It has the capability of
being controlled both locally and by remote control. It offers
programmability, stand alone operation, and robust, optically isolated
communications with automation systems, utility control systems,
and personal computers.

There are several items which can be configured at the time of
installation. These items have a check box (

) for your installer to

indicate which features are used in your system.

As an EPA ENERGY STAR Partner, Home Automation, Inc. has
determined that this thermostat meets the ENERGY STAR
guidelines for energy efficiency.

MAINTENANCE

Your new thermostat is maintenance free. There is no battery to
install or replace. If necessary, clean unit carefully with a mild soap
solution on a soft cloth.

1

OPERATION

To take advantage of all the benefits and features offered by your
thermostat, we recommend that you start by becoming familiar with
its operation.

1

-

Display

The Display is used to show current time, temperature, outdoor
temperature (optional), mode, and to give useful information that
will guide you through normal operation of your thermostat.

2- Hold

Press the Hold key to set the system into Hold mode. In Hold
mode, the thermostat will not change its settings by program.

3- Prog

Press the Prog (programming) key to set the current time and day
(hours, minutes, day of week), and to program the temperature
time schedules for the MORN, DAY, EVE, and NITE periods.

2

AUTO

4

ModeHold2Prog

3

Fan

5

1

DAY

COOL

:

P

6

7

OMNISTAT

4- Mode

Press the Mode key to set the thermostat mode to Off, Heat,
Cool, or Auto.

In Off mode, the heating and cooling systems are both off and do
not respond to changes in temperature settings.

In Heat mode, the heating system responds to maintain your

desired heating setting.

In Cool mode, the cooling system responds to maintain your

desired cooling setting.

In Auto mode, your thermostat will automatically switch between

heat and cool to maintain your desired heating and cooling
settings.

5- Fan

Press the Fan key to set the system fan to Fan Auto or Fan On.

In Fan Auto mode, the fan runs only when the system calls for
heating or cooling.

In Fan On mode, the fan runs continuously.

6- Down Arrow (

∨)

Press the Down Arrow key to lower the desired temperature.

7- Up Arrow (

∧)

Press the Up Arrow key to raise the desired temperature.

Note

:

To check your desired setting without changing it, press the
up or down arrow key (

∧

or ∨) once.

3

DISPLAY

The following icons will be displayed during normal operation:

1- Temperature Display

Shows the current temperature, desired temperature, or heating
and cooling settings.

2- Time Display

Shows the current time of day.

3-

DESIRED

DESIRED is displayed when the temperature display shows the
desired temperature setting.

4-

OUTSIDE

OUTSIDE will be displayed when the temperature display shows

the outdoor temperature. The outdoor temperature will be
displayed every 4 seconds.

FAN AUTO

10 9 876

11

12

13

MORN
DAY
EVE
NITE

REMOTE

HOLD

HEAT

OFF COOL

1

::

2

OUTSIDE

DESIRED

A

4

5

3

4

5-





The





is displayed when the heating or cooling system is

running.

6-

COOL

COOL is displayed when the system is in Cool mode.

7-

AUTO

AUTO is displayed when in automatic changeover mode.

8-

HEAT

HEAT is displayed when the system is in Heat mode.

9-

FAN

FAN is displayed when the fan is set to run continuously.

10-

OFF

OFF is displayed when the system is in the Off mode.

11-

REMOTE

REMOTE is displayed when the last command received by the

thermostat was sent by a remote system.

12- Period Indicators

MORN, DAY, EVE, or NITE is displayed when scheduled
temperature changes are made by the thermostat programs.

13-

HOLD

HOLD is displayed when the system is in Hold mode.

5

FILTER REMINDER

Your thermostat logs the amount of time your heating and cooling
system has been running and gives you a reminder when it's time to

replace your filter.

" F I L

t

"

will be displayed every four seconds in the place of the
time display when it is time to change you filter. To clear the
reminder, press the Prog key. The display will return to normal in 10
seconds. Don't forget to change your filter!

REAL TIME PRICING SYSTEM

Your thermostat may be configured to adjust its temperature settings
in response to changes in the cost of energy. Using this feature, you
can take advantage of your energy provider's rate structure without
sacrificing your comfort.

The thermostat can make adjustments for 4 energy rates:

LO

,

MID

,

HI

and

CRIT

(critical). At LO energy rates, the thermostat controls
your system as it normally would, with no variation for energy rates.
For each of the higher rates,

MID

,

HI

and

CRIT

, you can easily set

the number of degrees of variation by changing the

VAR

(variation)

settings for the rate.

The rate currently in effect is provided to the thermostat by the
energy provider's meter or other device. The thermostat will raise the
cool setting or lower the heat setting by the amount that you select for
the higher rates. The thermostat display will show which rate is in
use by periodically flashing

RATE

-

LO

,

MID, HI

or

CRIT

in the time

display.

The thermostat remembers your original settings, and will show them
if you press the up or down arrows to see the desired settings.

AUTO

RATE

DAY

COOL

6

The thermostat will control using the original setting and the
variation for the rate in use. For example, if your heat setting is 68
degrees, the rate is hi, and the variance for hi is set to 3, the
thermostat will control to 65 degrees.

Real time pricing variations can be used with or without the
programming feature of the thermostat.

SETTING THE CURRENT TIME AND DAY

To set or change the current time and day, press and release the Prog
key. The hour will blink.

1. Use the arrow keys (

∧-∨

) to change the hour.

2. Press the Prog key to advance to minutes.

3. Use the arrow keys (

∧-∨

) to change minutes.

4. Press the Prog key to advance to day of week.

5. Use the arrow keys (

∧-∨

) to set the day of week

(1=Monday - 7=Sunday).

::

P

OFF

::

P

OFF

7

Press the Mode key when complete, or simply wait 8 seconds for the
display to return to normal.

PROGRAMMING

Your thermostat may be programmed to set the variance for higher
energy rates and to adjust the heat and cool settings up to 4 times per
day (MORN, DAY, EVE, NITE). You can setup a temperature time
schedule for weekdays, Saturday, and Sunday.

When in programming mode:

1. The item that is being programmed will flash.

2. The up arrow key (

∧

) is used to increase the value.

3. The down arrow key (

∨

) is used to decrease the value.

4. The Prog (>) key is used to advance to the next item.

5. The Hold (<) key is used to return to the previous item.

6. To exit programming mode, press the Mode key.

The thermostat will automatically exit programming mode after 20
seconds of no key activity.

SETTING THE VARIATION FOR HIGHER RATES

To view or change the variation for MID, HI and CRIT rates, press
the Prog key four times. The display will show RATE MID. The
variation, in degrees, for the MID rate will flash:

::

P

OFF

DAY

8

1. Use the arrow keys to change the variance for the MID rate.

2. Press the Prog key to advance to the HI rate. Use the arrow
keys to change the variance for the HI rate.

3. Repeat step 2 for the CRIT (critical) rate.

(Typical settings for variance are: MID: 1, HI: 3, CRIT: 6)

OVERRIDING THE VARIATION SETTINGS

To override the real time pricing system, put the thermostat in Hold
mode by pressing the Hold key. HOLD is displayed when the
system is in Hold mode. The thermostat will run at the desired
setpoint without adjusting for the rate. The thermostat will resume
rate variation adjustments when the Hold mode is turned off.

SETTING TIME SCHEDULES

When programming a time for the Morning, Day, Evening, or Night
period, the time will be increased or decreased in 15 minute
increments. If the up arrow is pressed at 11:45 PM, or the down
arrow is pressed at 12:00 AM, the time display will be blank,
indicating that no scheduled temperature changes will be made for
that period.

Your thermostat will follow a set of time scheduled programs on
weekdays (Monday-Friday), on Saturday, and on Sunday. This will
allow you to have different heating and cooling settings on Saturday
and Sunday, than you normally would have for weekdays (Monday ­Friday). When programming the time schedules, the weekday time
schedule is programmed first. The Saturday time schedule is
programmed second, and the Sunday time schedule is programmed
last.

RATE

VAR

9

To view or change the programmed time schedules of your
thermostat, press the Prog key four times (seven times if real time
pricing is in use). The weekday MORN time will flash.

1. Use the arrow keys (

∧-∨

) to change the scheduled time for the

displayed period (MORN, DAY, EVE, or NITE).

2. Press the Prog key to advance to the next item.

3. Use the arrow keys (

∧-∨

) to change the desired cool setting.

4. Press the Prog key to advance to the next item.

5. Use the arrow keys (

∧-∨

) to change the desired heat setting.

6. Press the Prog key to advance to the next period.

::

A

MORN

DESIRED

MORN

COOL

DESIRED

::

A

MORN

DESIRED

::

A

HEAT

10

Repeat steps 1-6 for the

DAY, EVE

, and

NITE

periods. Afterwards,
repeat steps 1-6 for 4 daily periods on Saturdays (Day 6), and 4
daily periods on Sundays (Day 7). The temperature display will
show "6" for Saturdays, and "7" for Sunday times.

SYSTEM MODE

Your thermostat can be connected to an automation system or
personal computer. With network software, the remote system can
send commands to the thermostat to change mode, cool setting, heat
setting, status of fan and hold, and other items.

"REMOTE" will be displayed when a command is sent from the
automation system or personal computer. You can use the arrow
keys (∧-∨) on the thermostat to change the temperature settings.

When the temperature settings are changed at the thermostat,
"REMOTE" will no longer be displayed. Press the Hold key to
prevent thermostat programs or the remote system from changing
temperature settings. "HOLD" will be displayed at the thermostat.

AUTOMATIC TIME UPDATE

The thermostat time will automatically be updated by the connected
automation system.

POWER OUTAGES

The thermostat will restart the heating/cooling system 3 to 8 minutes
after the electricity comes back on. All settings and programs are
stored permanently, and will not be affected by a power outage.

CLOCK

The thermostat clock is maintained for approximately 25 minutes
during an electrical outage.

11

ANTICIPATION

Your thermostat has a sophisticated control system designed to keep
you comfortable while saving energy. Part of the control system is a
feature called "anticipation", which anticipates the need to turn the
system on or off before the temperature is actually at the setting.

As humans, we perceive temperature as a combination of heat in the
air and heat radiated from the walls and surroundings. The
thermostat also measures a combination of air and wall temperature.
When heating, the air temperature rises faster than the wall
temperature. The thermostat will turn the heat off briefly to prevent
overheating the air while the wall temperature catches up. Your
comfort is assured without overshooting the heat setting, which
wastes energy.

In summer, the thermostat will periodically run the cooling system to
circulate the air and remove humidity when the temperature is close,
but not above the cool setting. You will be more comfortable at a
higher cool setting, which saves energy.

Remember to allow some time for the thermostat to adapt to a new
setting.

12

TIME SCHEDULES

The table below shows the time schedules that are currently set into
your thermostat. There is a blank table at the bottom that can be
used to plan changes to the current schedule.

WEEKDAYS SATURDAYS SUNDAYS
MORN 6:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM
COOL 78 78 78
HEAT 70 70 70

DAY 8:00 AM
COOL 85 85 85
HEAT 62 62 62

EVE 6:00 PM
COOL 78 78 78
HEAT 70 70 70
NITE 10:00 PM 11:00 PM 10:00 PM
COOL 82 82 82
HEAT 62 62 62

WEEKDAYS SATURDAYS SUNDAYS
MORN
COOL
HEAT

DAY
COOL
HEAT

EVE
COOL
HEAT
NITE

COOL
HEAT

TWO YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

Home Automation, Inc. (HAI), warrants this product against defects in
material and workmanship, under normal use and service, for a period of
two (2) years from the date of purchase by the consumer.

During the warranty period, HAI will repair or replace, at its option, any HAI
thermostat that fails due to defect.

This warranty does not cover the cost of removal or reinstallation of any
thermostat. This warranty does not cover failure caused by damage

to the thermostat while in your possession (other than damage
caused by defect or malfunction), or by its improper installation,
including failure to follow the written installation and operation
instructions, alterations, misuse, or abuse. The remedies provided for

in this warranty are the sole and exclusive remedies therefor. In no event
shall HAI be liable for incidental expenses or consequential loss or
damages.

Any implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and
fitness for particular use or purpose is limited to a period of two (2)
years from purchase date.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other legal
rights, which vary from state to state. Some limitations may not apply to
you.

For warranty and repair service,

Within Continental United States, send defective unit carefully
packaged, postage prepaid, along with description of trouble and return
address to:

Home Automation, Inc.
Service Department
2709 Ridgelake Drive
Metairie, LA 70002

Outside of Continental United States:
Contact an Authorized Distributor for repair/replacement instructions.

For Customer Service or Technical Support

Call us at [phone]

Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time