**** DO NOT PURCHASE ****
**** HUNTER HAS DISCONTINUED THIS THERMOSTAT! ****
**** REMOTE INTERNET SERVICE WILL BE DISCONTINUED AUGUST 1, 2013. ****
(original review)
I have read several mixed reviews about this thermostat, so I would like to add my 2-cents about my experience thus far.
NOTE: unless you wish to use the iPhone app, website/mobile site, don't get this thermostat since it is not programmable from the panel. This is not a flaw, it's a feature. If you don't like that, move on.
INSTALLATION:
Installation was a breeze. Make sure to write down the device number on the back of the thermostat before you mount it, you'll need the number in a few minutes to set up your account with Hunter. The thermostat did feel a bit wobbly with the two screws provided, but that was an easy fix since I had an extra sheetrock screw on hand. Wire terminals are labeled and color coded, yellow to yellow, red to red, etc. It came with a setup booklet which gives clear instructions for mounting, wiring, wireless setup, etc. The thermostat can be bus powered or use batteries or both. Batteries are supposed to last a year or so with normal use. The thermostat snaps in and out of the wall mount, so changing batteries doesn't require messing with screws.
INITIAL SETUP:
You'll need the device number from the back of the thermostat in order to set it up on Hunter's website or iPhone app. Plug the wireless gateway into your router with the included CAT5 cable and hook up the AC/DC power adapter. The LED on the gateway will blink red. Create an account with Hunter (which is $10/year after your free trial is over) and add the thermostat to your account. Within a minute or so, the thermostat will connect and the gateway LED will be green. You're good to go.
PROGRAMMING:
The device is meant to be programmed from Hunter's website or iPhone app, not from the panel itself. It has a few buttons on it such as auto/cool/heat/off, temp up/down, stay/away, schedule on/off, fan on/off.
NOTE: changing the settings from the panel will not override the schedule unless you turn scheduling off! If scheduling is on and you set the temp manually from the panel, the thermostat will go back to the scheduled settings unless you turn scheduling off! It's simple, but many negative reviews have been written about this thermostat because of this. THIS IS A STANDARD FEATURE FOUND ON PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS AND NOT A DESIGN FLAW! If you want to manually adjust the temp, turn scheduling off!
Ok, back on topic. I prefer using the computer with a mouse and keyboard for the initial setup. Windows or Mac is fine for the website. There is only an app for iPhone, not Android (what's up with that, Hunter?), but you can also use the mobile website from your Android or smartphone which works like the iPhone app. Or if you're a computer geek like me, you can easily create your own Android app (using webview).
You can have multiple, separate schedules throughout each day/night for each day of the week. You can also save your custom schedule as a template and apply them to whichever day you wish. All seven days of the week are programmable. You can heat or cool till your heart's content. I found the website, mobile site and app to be easy to use (not sure what's up with the neg reviews on iTunes).
NOTE: the iPhone app doesn't talk straight to the thermostat through your router, it goes through the internet to Hunter so you'll need internet access on your phone and thermostat in order to make changes to the thermostat.
FEATURES:
The thermostat has a lot of features such as auto heat/cool which automatically turns on the heater or AC, whichever is need. You can also program the temperature span which allows you to set how far the temperature can rise/fall before the thermostat kicks in. If you have the thermostat set to cool to 75 and have the span on 3 degrees, it will allow the temperature to rise to 78 before the AC is turned on. You can lower the span down to 1 degree. There is an away mode which turns the thermostat on savings mode while you're out of the house.
There's too many other features to mention here. You can read the product description to see all the features.
CONCLUSION:
I have been completely pleased with this thermostat. I will say though that if you are computer illiterate, you will probably find this thermostat very challenging to setup. There's a lot of features to play with, so take your time to read and reread the manual. Hunter also has a few videos on their website showing how to set everything up. I give this thermostat a big thumbs up.
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I contacted Hunter customer support with a few questions regarding this item and was told that this model is discontinued and has been pulled off the market. The internet and iPhone app functions will no longer be supported within a few months. It will then be a non-functional item since it can only be programmed online or via app. Hunter will reimburse those that already own it.(Contact Hunter customer support and they will confirm what I am writing here.)
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I picked this thermostat up in January. I was originally looking at the Hunter 44905 which was rated well, but decided to go with the 44920 for the wifi feature thinking I would get similar features with the wifi added. That was definitly not the case. Beware, upon picking it up i noticed a label on the box that mentioned a subscription required for the app or online account. I did not notice this on Amazon and it is buried well within the Hunter site. It costs $9.99/yr or $50 lifetime after a 3 month trial.The look of the thermostat and the instilation was both nice and easy. I was shocked to discover that you can not program the thermostat from the device. You have to program it from the app or online. The app is horrible and glitchy. You can not set the time or date. It is supposed to auto set for you by zip or postal code, but never worked right and had the wrong day. Tried multiple postal and zip codes. Setting up the schedule seemed easy at first, but later trying to edit the schedule caused numerous errors requiring me to delete my programs and start over. The app would also crash often and had long delays and time outs while trying to make changes on it. I emailed Hunter to see if there are any plans to imporve the app but they never responded. I refused to pay a single cent more for the subscription on this useless app, and without the subscription the thermostat basically reverts back to a basic thermostat and can not be programmed. Returned it and decided to put the money and extra $50 for a subscription towards a Nest 1st gen on sale and I'm very pleased.
Honest reviews on Hunter 44920 Universal Internet Thermostat, White
We have a home that we're fixing up, and so only spend every other weekend there. This review is thus oriented to the needs of someone with a vacation house. From that perspective, this is a really handy product. You can call up the app and see what temperature it is inside the house, and what your heater is doing. There's also an estimate of what the temperature is outside.PROS: Easy to install. Works. Easy to fire up the Internet connection, and the app.
CONS; The back plate is kinda flimsy, but that's not a big deal. You must might worry a bit you are going to snap the thing.
When you plug the device in, it says 'disconnected.' if you are like me, you try to re-plug it in. Actually, what that means is "disconnected" from the Internet. once you fire up the Internet connection, that goes away.
Auto-program: The device comes with a built-in program that will heat your house to at least 60. You need to shut the settings off, a couple of times, from the phone. I was still not sure I had the damn thing off, so I just created a setting at which every time is 50 degrees. I think Hunter would have happier customers if they walked someone through the process of shutting down the auto-programming.
This brings up a final point, which is that the lowest you can set this thermostat via your app is 50. I would save a lot more money if I could set it to 40. But ... hey, the darn thing works. It was a good investment.
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I have had two of these installed at my vacation home for over two years and have never had a problem with them. They allowed me to control the heat and A/C remotely with no problems. Unfortunately, Hunter decided to drop this product line.The following is the text of an email I received from Hunter Fans today. At least they are reimbursing me for the two thermostats that I purchased.
************************************************************************************
Dear valued customer:
We regret to inform you the Hunter Fan Company has decided to discontinue our Universal Internet Thermostat Services.
Our records indicate that you purchased X product(s) that qualify for this reimbursement program.
Because we value your loyalty to the Hunter brand, we want to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. First, Hunter Fan will provide you with full compensation for your unit. You will also be able to continue controlling your thermostat via the internet until August 1, 2013. This will allow time to locate another thermostat for your home
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