You walk around with a cell phone and you think you have privacy?

Don't have a cell phone, then how in the world you going to control a wifi thermostat?

They got you coming and going.

We can't use cash due to COVID, gotta use your card. *tracked* They know the minute you put that card in the chip reader.

You're in the store being monitored on camera. *tracked*.

Privacy in 2020: A great joke for the records.

I have not tried this, but I think a Z wave thermostat and controller can be set up so it is isolated from the internet and allow control over a WiFi connection. This Honeywell Z wave thermostat is one example.

Here is an article entitled How to Create a Smart Home Without Internet which may be helpful.

I'd be more worried about cybersecurity using IoT devices than privacy.

Have your thermostat and other such devices on one VLAN, and your phones/computers on another. Enable firewall rules that your thermostat cannot talk with the outside world (WAN), nor your phones/computers unless they are following a request/command (Established and Related traffic only).

I have multiple networks setup for devices that need the internet, do not need the internet, my router, and phones/computers all have their own network with custom set firewall rules.

Are you worried that someone will hack into your thermostat and turn off your heat?

THERMOSTAT:

1. Smart Wifi Thermostat for Mini Splits the Cielo Breeze Plus by Mr Cool. Price: $119.99 ex. tax

https://www.minisplitwarehouse.com/product/smart-wifi-thermostat-for-mini-split-systems-cielo-breeze-plus-by-mrcool

2. Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 3. PRICE: $259.99 ex. tax

Parts Warranty 2 Years

https://www.newcentralairconditioner.com/category/thermostats

Both of these thermostats are connected to the Internet. Read the thread.

It's not the connection to the Internet, per se, that concerns me. It is the software in the thermostat that does, because there are some thermostats, Nest being one of them (I believe), that communicates everything with the manufacturer's web site. So, bottom line: Internet is okay as a means of communication, but I want to be sure that I talk directly to the thermostat and that it does not share anything with anyone.

If you have devices connected to the www, the potential exists for your data to be accessed for nefarious purposes.

You can't have it both ways.

50 years ago if someone said “ i want to be sure that I talk directly to the thermostat and that it does not share anything with anyone” they would be locked up -lol.

Stax, firewall rules can prevent devices from talking to the internet. You just need a good router and know what you are doing when setting it up.

I recommend Ubiquiti Dream Machine. You will need mesh points as the onboard wifi has small reach, but my new home will feature two in ceiling access points and ethernet to every TV and computer I own.

OP, buy any thermostat that works with your system and you that you like. Watch YT videos of setting up firewalls or hire an IT professional.

You do not understand. If a device has inherent need to communicate with the www, as do the two devices I addressed, there is an absolute risk of compromise of data.

My wifi-accessible thermostats use a company website as a go-between so internet access is needed. In fact, I get an email when they're disconnected (as with an internet or electricity hiccup). I suspect most use a similar approach.

If you're concerned about it, don't get thermostats that communicate wirelessly.

There are many models and brands of home networking equipment that use the mesh approach. What's special about Ubitquiti compared to others?

Elmer your thermostat can be accessed outside your WiFi network correct?

You could disable that if you wanted too, but then you are more restricted.

I prefer Ubiquiti due to the large selection of products and the interface.

My current setup is a dream machine and one mesh point. My new home will feature two wired access points for wired back haul which is superior to standard meshing.

@Stax

Unless a device has its own gsm or cellular capabilities you can block it’s communications on your own managed network.

Do you assume once you connect a device to your network that you have no control over its traffic?

Google your device and which ports it uses for its functions. You can easily block any of them.

"Elmer your thermostat can be accessed outside your WiFi network correct?"

Yes, if everything is on and connected, I could be riding in a car and use my phone to turn anything on/off, up/down. If the internet connection is down, they can only be accessed in person. Ditto if the thermostat becomes disconnected from the wireless signal, which has happened to one only once in several years and it reconnected in just a few minutes on its own. A hiccup as far as I'm concerned

I have two homes so I'm always away from one. I have Honeywell thermostats and the function and remote access features are excellent and reliable. I have no concern about privacy concerning them. Three in total.

"You could disable that if you wanted too, but then you are more restricted."

I'm not sure what you mean. For the Honeywells, the connection to/from the device used to control them (PC, any type of tablet, any phone) and to/from the thermostats goes over the internet and has a company web presence as the intermediary. Even if the remote control is happening in the same room as where the thermostat is located, the signals pass through the company. If I disconnected any one from wifi, or the home from the internet, there would be no access. It would turn them into plain, on the wall thermostats.

" I prefer Ubiquiti due to the large selection of products and the interface... My new home will feature two wired access points for wired back haul which is superior to standard meshing."

I'm not sure what you mean in saying "superior to standard meshing"? I've had a mesh system of a different brand for over three years so yes, one of the early ones. In a long, rectangular one story house of nearly 5000 square feet, performance from one end (where the router is) to the far other side and everywhere in-between is exceptionally fast and consistent. Outside too. What am I missing?

Good luck.

Elmer,

You've tried and I've tried to explain. He either doesn't get it OR he is just stirring the pot.

Elmer when I get home I’ll respond, I hate typing on my phone.

Stax maybe I misunderstood you. The OP can purchase a thermostat that does not function like Elmers and can block access, but will not have the capability of Elmer either via control anywhere.

Please elaborate on your point.

Elmer, below is a demo site for the web user interface, the dashboard is the best I have ever used.

https://demo.ui.com/manage/site/office/dashboard

As for wired vs wireless backhaul please read article below.

https://dongknows.com/mesh-wi-fi-system-explained/

Here is a test of wireless vs wired backhaul with actual data. And isn't on a website called "dongknows" lol.

https://www.digitalcitizen.life/wifi-vs-ethernet-backhaul

But in regards to internet all that matters is the user is satisfied with their current system, no point upgrading if your current system meets your needs.

I'm not sure what the relevance is of any of these links. Nor is it clear to me that scrapping what I have and buying something different is an "upgrade". What I have works quite well, is very stable, and supplies more throughput than either I or my guests could ever use.

"Different" isn't always "better" and often isn't. If you think the information in the link from the Romanians in a mountain village is authoritative, then be happy with it. I'm sure you know all kinds of information, right and wrong, can be found with internet searches. Finding authoritative and correct information can be another challenge.

I agree Elmer. Hence the last sentence in my last post.

I read your last sentence and responded that I'm not so sure replacing what I have with something else would be an upgrade. The opposite, I suspect doing so would be rather unlikely to make a meaningful difference.

I think Stax was right.

Edit;Nvm. Op has an answer.

Elmer we will agree to disagree, have a good evening.

No, we agree that you are wrong - or you are simply trolling.