Are you a rental property or mini business owner, or do you have curious small children in your home.In such case you certainly want to lock your thermostat to control who can or cannot access the temperature setting to prevent damage in terms of energy bills or hvac instruments. Well you can be relieved because if you want to buy a wifi thermostat most famous brand and their models offer such functionality, even the china made models like Beok etc. We list some of the best wifi thermostat with lock out based on their ease of use, applicability and trouble shooting.
1.)Emerson sensi wifi thermostat .
Buy any model of Emerson sensi. It comes with lock feature from app or from the keypad if it is not touch screen. We like the classic Emerson sensi without touch screen or its use of ease for lock out.
The keypad can be locked remotely or at the device by pressing menu and up button for 5 seconds But it cannot be unlocked from keypads.For that you have to use the app as shown above.This is ideal if you do not want other occupants of the home or building to change the setting except you who will have full control from the app.Perfect for landlords and rental property owners.
To assure that you have keypad lock you need to have to confirm that you have
Firmware version: 9.06 or greater
iOS App version: 1.1.0 or greater
Android version: 1.091 or greater
In addition Emerson updates the firmware within 24 hours of installation son you don’t need to upgrade the thermostat.
Click here for more details,price ratings and reviews of Emerson sensi on Amazon
2.)Honeywell Thermostat-All wifi honeywell thermostat comes with a partial or full lock mode. This allows you to completely or partially lock various features of thermostat. Fully full lock prevents accidental or unauthorized change in heat/cool temperature set point.
While locking honeywell gives you a pin which you can reenter to unlock thus you should remember the pin even if you forget the only option which remains is to call customer support. Toll free no-18004681502
Things which you should have before calling customer support –
1.model number
2.date code
which you can easily find in menu>equipment status
The best and economic model we could find is Honeywell TH9320WF5003 Wi-Fi 9000 because with these wifi models unless users has the pin you will be assured that no one can change your settings but in keypad lock thermostats the lock and unlock is just few button press away on the thermostat.
You can also set minimum and maximum temperature range and give partial access to your tenants so that they can only change temperature set points within your allowed range. To do that go to
Menu>Preferences>Advanced preferences>programmable>Set minimum and maximum temperature>Done>Previous menu>Home.
Thermostat with keypad lockout is particularly suitable for landlords or rental property owners as the guest are totally locked out.
There are also thermostats which allows to set temperature limits.
But it does not lock the buttons.
So it wont be secure and cause huge money bills if tenants mess up with temperature setting continuously.
For other who want a thermostat for tenants as a landlord or don’t want children or unauthorized person accessing the thermostat use keypad lock out models.
Other Honeywell thermostat that have screen lock out feature are
If you want keypad lockout try these models:
T9/T10 Smart thermostat with wireless sensors . T10 is duel fuel compatible with humidity control.
T5/T6 Smart thermostat without wireless sensors. Models including TH6320WF2003, TH6220WF2006, TH6320U2008, TH6220U2000, TH6210U2001
Honeywell wifi thermostat with RTH9580WF, the RTH9585WF, and the TH9320WF
Honeywell Vision proT H8110R1008, TH8320R1003, TH8321R1001, TH8321WF1001,
Honeywell Prestige IAQ THX9421R5021.
For range stop settings, to set high and low temperature limits for heating and cooling try-
TH8110R1008, TH8320R1003, TH8321R1001, TH8321WF1001, TH6320WF2003, TH6220WF2006, TH6320U2008, TH6220U2000, TH6210U2001, THX9421R5021, TH6110D, TH6220D, TH6320U1000, TH5110D, TH5220D, TH5320U.
3.)Ecobee wifi thermostat-Like all above companies Ecobee also give locking option for all its models. While being expensive it is a smart solution for landlords because it allows to set temperature range limits for both heating and cooling. To do that
- Go to Menu > Settings > Preferences
- Tap onHeating range/Cooling range
- Set the upper and lower limit values.
- Tap on Save.
Tenants can choose between heating and cooling but without requiring the pin and also not changing the temperature limits.If you want to be extra sure you can download an app called iftt which gives you the alert when the temperature program changes.
To lock an ecobee go to menu>settings> access control>enable security code and enter 4 digit password that you want to set. Then select features that you want to require password or simply select all to lock the thermostat completely. If you forget your access code here are the steps to recover it
- Login to ecobee.com and you can disable the password from there by going to Settings then access control and select disable.
or
2.)Call support and after confirming your identity they will send you the access code via email or through sms.
Click here for more details,price,ratings and reviews of Ecobee3 lite second generation on Amazon.
4.)Nest smart thermostat.
Locking a nest thermostat is very easy. It can be done with the app or from the thermostat itself. One thing to point out is that nest doesn’t allow to set temperature ranges for heating and cooling separately. You can just adjust the temperature lower and upper limit. This is also a bit complex.
Nest allows you to lock in in two configuration.
a.)Heat or cool mode-In this mode you can lock in either Heat or cool mode. After you create a four digit pin you can set temperature limit for either heat or cool mode. Guest can change the temp by moving the nest outer ring within your set temperature but cannot alter the heating or cooling mode without the PIN. Also when You lock your thermostat with app the smallest temp range you can set is 5 degree(Eg 70-75).There is no such limit when you lock at thermostat itself and you can set the temperature to a fix value.
b.)Heat-cool mode-When you lock your nest in this mode either by app or thermostat you can also set temperature range limit.The lowest range is 2 degree.eg(70-72).Also no one can change temperature by turning the ring without knowing the pin.Only you can change the set point using phone app.
So in effect you can only lock your thermostat for guests or tenants for a particular season and then you have change it or you have to give them app access in case of heat-cool mode as the ring slider wont work.
How to lock nest.
1.Tap setting icon located on top right corner.
2.)Turn the outer ring till Lock option show up on the screen and tap on it
3.Enter 4 digit pass code twice.
4.)If you want to lock in heat-cool mode you have to do an extra step in the thermostat(not app) to set the temperature range.
5.)After you create passwords You can set temperature range for heat or cool mode or for heat-cool mode from app.
Note-If you forget the pin you can reset it via app and receive password reset link.
You can also do it via app.Here are the steps.
1.)Select on settings.
2.)Scroll to the bottom to lock.
3.)Tap and select the 4 digit pin twice.
4.)If you locking n Heat or cool mode you have to set the temperature range by dragging slider to min amd max range Remember the minimum allowed range in app is 5 while with thermostat there is no such limit.
Click here for more details,price,ratings and reviews of nest third generation thermostat on Amazon.
Lux programmable thermostat
Lux.have range of non wifi programmable thermostat that have the feature of screen lockout. But they are not completly tamper proof as you can reset the passcode with hardware reset.
If you forgot your code there is a HW RST (Hardware Reset) button at the back of the thermostat’s circuit board. Press and hold it for 3 seconds and release. The thermostat will be unlocked.
Two of Lux models that have this feature are
Lux TX9600TS programmable thermostat
It is one of the best non wifi thermostat that is 7 day programmable.
To lock the screen
- Goto MENU and touch SCROLL 5 time till you see “SET KEYPAD LOCK?” in the top of the display.
- Press OK, and enter 4-digit code of your choice using UP/DOWN and NEXT button. The default code is 0000.
- To activate the lock, press OK .
To unlock
- Press on the “locked padlock” icon.
- Enter the unlock code and Press OK.
Check out Lux TX9600TS programmable thermostat
Luxpro thermostats FBA_PSP511LC
This is another model that you can lock against tapering by entering 4 digits code. The process is similar. You need to press NEXT button and hold for 5 sec until an option to setup lock appears on screen. Enter code using UP/DOWN and NEXT button and press NEXT again for 5 sec. The thermostat will be locked. To unlock follow same procedure.
Check out LuxOro FBA_PSP511LC programmable Thermostat
Control temp CT2001 Fully or Partial screen lock model
CT2001 is a high end model of Control temp with fully or partially lockable screen along with adjustable temperature limits for heating and cooling. It is an upgrade on CT1001 model. The security information to lock or unlock is intentionally removed from its available online manuals so one other than the owner cannot outwit it by looking online atleast.
Pros-Customisable temperature limits. Touch screen. Programmable thermostat. Supports multi stage systems(3 heat/2 cool) with Auxiliary/Emergency heat. Auto changeover. Adjustable cph. Battery backup.Dehumidification control on select models.
Only cons is it is costly compared to other non wifi programmable thermostat and not readily available on Amazon.
ControlTemp CT72 Basic Tamper Proof Thermostat
This is a Amazon’s choice product for landlord thermostat. It is named so because of its ability to block temperature setpoint variation above or below factory setpoint limits. The heat limits are between 50 and 72 and the Cool between 72 and 90. So one cannot set heat above 72 and cool below 72 degree F. Also these limits are fixed and cannot be chaged or bypassed by any means like hardware reset etc. Although this feature can be usefull to an extent for landlord who do want tenant to be playing around with temperature setpoint it is not a completely a lockout thermostat which allows to lock the panel from making any changes at all. It is a non programmable thermostat and only compatible with single stage heat or cool systems or single stage heat pumps without auxiliary. It runs on 2 AA batteries which are included with the product.
Other models with slight different temperature settings are-
CT400-Adjustable heat cool temperature limits. Other feature same as CT72.
CT74- Temperature limits for heat and cool is 74. Other features are same as CT72.
CT76- Temperature limits for heat and cool is 76. Other features are same as CT72.
CT7668-Temperature limits for heat and cool is 76 for heat and 68 for cool. Other features are same as CT72.
CT100- Temperature Heat limit is 72. Cool limit 75. Programmable thermostat. Works with 2 stage systems.
Chicago controls thermostat
This company also manufactures landlord thermostat with tamper proof limits on heat and cool on various models. These are also not available on Amazon but can be baught on there site landlordthermostat.com.
They are all non programmable thermostat. However Some of them have feature of auto setback after 1 or 3 hours.
Some of its models are
Warehouse Stat-Heat 54/Cool 74 Auto setback heat 47 , Cool 84 after 1 hour.
HC7176-Heat 71/Cool 76
HC7174SB-Heat 71/Cool 74 Auto setback heat to 68 after 3 hours.
HC71SB-Heat No limit/Cool 76 Auto setback heat to 68 after 3 hours.
HC7272 Heat 72/Cool 72
HC7372 Heat 72/Cool 73
HC7376 Heat 73/Cool 76
HC7445 Heat 74/Cool No limit
Before buying these lockout thermostat do also check compatibility with your system like heat pumps with or without multiple stages or with or without auxiliary heat and single or multiple stages boilers of different types like Oil, Gas etc or Cooling systems and also weather C wire is required or not.