Hi. I want to get a thermostat I can control with my iOS device. I want to be able to switch between heat, AC, fan, or just shut the whole system off. I also need to be able to adjust the temperature. Being able to program different temperatures for different times of the day would be nice, but not a requirement. I am wondering which thermostats have accessible apps. I do not want to go buy a thermostat just because the box says it can be controlled by iOS devices only to get it home and have it installed just to find out that the app for it is not accessible. I have heard bad stories about people buying hardware only to find that the software is not accessible. If there are no thermostats with accessible apps, another thing I would be willing to look into is a thermostat that can not be controlled by an iOS device, but that can talk and is blind friendly without the use of an iOS device. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thank you.
Comments
Honeywell
Honeywell wifi works well. One of most affordable and app is accessible.
nest
Nest is another option.
You can find more information about nest at
https://nest.com/thermostat/life-with-nest-thermostat/
Great podcast!
If anyone has one of these thermostats and the iOS app installed, I think a quick demo showing how it is accessible with VoiceOver would make for a great podcast!
Jim
Honeywell app!
Hi Jim,
Actually with Honeywell app has demo mode. You can test before you buy. From the point of UI layout, not great. Fully accessible and labeled. I was able to get RTH 6580 for under $100. One of the basic wifi models. I love it!
VIP Talking Thermostat
It's not an IOS app, but it's a fully programmable thermostat with tactile buttons that speaks all programming instructions for you as you go through the process. Find the details at talkingthermostats.com.
It is fully programmable with weekday vs. weekend periods, and within each of those, you choose your wake, leave, return, and sleep times, with separate programs for heating vs. cooling. A switch sets heat vs. cool vs. off, and another switch turns the fan on/off. Oh, and you can either run the programs or control it manually if you wish, and if you have the device on program mode, you can hit the up and down arrows to manually override the temperature if you wish.
I've had this thermostat for over 5 years now, and it's awesome. Couldn't be easier, requires no software updates, and has worked perfectly for years now. Even my sighted girlfriend loves the thing, just because for the first time she can easily modify the program using the spoken instructions, and it's easily controlled at night without being able to see anything, due to the raised key controls. Highly recommended if you just want something that works simply and gives you full control over your own thermostat.
Agree regarding the VIP Talking Thermostat
I, too, have been using this VIP Talking Thermostat for more than five years and love the thing. It's so nice to be able to control the comfort of the house and the electric bill, too. Dependable. Highly recommend this one to you.
VIP here too!
Hello Jessica,
I have had the V.I.P for over five years and I too love it very much. -Andrew-