Honeywell Evohome firmware update 2018 - multi zone thermostat system

[@JakeBox75]

Smart feature was extended with smart weather. 2 options: On mild day it can turn off the boiler to save energy. Rooms with draught it will automatically adjust the setpoint so normal temperature doesn't have to be as high... The last I don't get.

[@alanrossreviews]

so basically like open window detection?

[@nigelhoughton]

Very useful. Thanks.

[@purplekenny1964]

OMG, this will be so useful, sometimes my boiler fires and I haven’t a clue which radiator called for heat. It should be on the front screen though. I this the software lets down the economy system. It’s a shame it’s not open source allowing others to code handy features.

[@purplekenny1964]

Sadly I have the old controller which is not upgradable.

[@zochpeter]

I miss outside temp sensor, that apparently was removed with ver2 where they added online weather temp...

[@Henk14789]

Loving the system, but fairly crazy I got here trying to check my bloody firmware version.... Honeywell somehow thinks its users are both stupid by not showing stuff, and tech heads, having to long press some random button for 3-10 seconds to get other basic information or add a new device.

[@MrSiddysounds]

I've run this system for a year now and today when I'm getting the boiler service one head gave a E2 fault, But the big issue I have it why they can't issue a smart socket to enable a room with an electric heater (2Kw) to be used which doesn't have a radiator installed able to switch 13amp. I'm using a tp-link socket to do this but would like it to be controlled by the Evohome. Having sold H/well systems for years I still find there products give the best usable options for the user.

[@dineshhirani2336]

OmG What a great idea. Maybe a bit of a niche product. But if they made a Plug version of the HR91. That would be rather interesting (many possible commercial use cases)

[@MrSiddysounds]

@@dineshhirani2336 I emailed HW this week but still awaiting contact, HR91 on the bypass radiator so when the system is calling for heat in a room the bypass would operate as a standard head but when the other are closing it reverts back to fully open for bypass

[@adegreen2731]

Any idea why mine (5+ years old) is on firmware 2.00.17.03 yet I don’t get any of the new smart weather features or the advanced loading menu items. Are there different hardware versions of the EvoHome?

[@alanrossreviews]

Are you sure you have the updated model?

[@HansKeesom]

6:54 thank you so much. Dutch honeywell support did not know this, they though only 24 volt was possible. Sad, sad, sad.

[@HansKeesom]

Meanwhile I made a prototype with the BDR91 and it works great to switch a 370 watt panel. Is the Honeywell evohome HCE80 the big brother of the BDR91 in the sense it can do the same thing for 7 zones and 11 panels? Can 220 volt be switched directly on it or should a relay be connected?

[@IIVQ]

Weird, as that is mentioned on the manual in the box! Sad indeed.

[@HansKeesom]

@@IIVQ I asked them before ordering the BDR91. I then saw this video and did order it.

[@HansKeesom]

meanwhile I am going have a system build with 6 BDR91's to control 6 infraredpanels. So much thank tofor this email

[@IIVQ]

@@HansKeesom It never occurred to me that you can add multiple BDR92's to the system! Cool!

[@GeeTheBuilder]

Great video. Thanks 🙏 I have electric underfloor heating in my kitchen. It’s 8mx4m so I installed a relay that the current (none evohome thermostat/programmer controls) but I’ve always wanted my evohome to control this too So I was happy to see support for electric heating. HOWEVER - as you may know with an electric floor there is an embedded temp sensor. How can this be integrated to the evohome to prevent the evohome burning out my electric floor? Think very cold day, some idiot leaves all windows open and evohome fries my underfloor heating! So without some way to integrate to the electric underfloor temp sensor I don’t see how this works safely? What am I missing? Thanks in advance. Graham

[@markrainford1219]

Leave UF controller set to max and put evo controller in series with it.

[@jason_ball]

Great review, informative and full of useful tricks! Question about the v2 firmware update, what mechanism is used to push the new firmware? Is this pushed down automatically?

[@alanrossreviews]

yes it will be pushed direct over wifi.

[@flaviozanon6505]

My problem is that when the last zone valve closes, the boiler continues to work for a few seconds, the pump continues to do post circulation but all the circuits are closed, so it goes up to temperature for thermal flywheel, until it goes into block. I know I could mount an overflow valve (and I probably will) But it would be enough for the program to turn off the flame 3-5 minutes before closing the valve and the problem would be solved. Why didn't Honeywell think about it?

[@alanrossreviews]

cant you assign one rad as by pass?

[@PhotoBooth72]

Hi Alan, great video but how do I update the firmware, if you have done a video about this please let me know. I have just moved to a home that has the system and its still on version 01:066343. I am having so weird problems where the system keeps coming on even when everything is set to off, mainly the hot water tank. I have checked all the settings and times and everything is set to off or not to come on until a say 8am yet the system keeps coming on at 5,30 or 6.30 no real set time. Any help you can offer would be great, I like the idea of this system but so far it's driving me a little crazy.

[@PhotoBooth72]

@James Harper Yes figured it out in the end and have disabled the optimum start as the house heats up quickly once on so no point waking me up at 5.30am!!

[@azeeuwnl1961]

Nice video. Hope Honeywell will pay some attention to their app one day...

[@alanrossreviews]

ha! good luck on that one :)

[@jillesspruyt7003]

Do you know how the evehome senses the outside temperature (external sensor?)?

[@alanrossreviews]

its not a sensor but a weather report.

[@GeeTheBuilder]

In case anyone else is wondering, if you have the original touchscreen that does NOT have built in Wi-Fi then you can’t get this update apparently Which as a long term Honeywell customer has really pissed me off!

[@jscsltd]

I'm in the same situation as yourself and have the older base unit. Did you find a any other way of upgrading the base unit?

[@gradinaruandrei5277]

I have the last update and it doesn’t appear the outside temperature. Is it necessary to do something else? Thx

[@alanrossreviews]

it should be top left, have you checked your firmware version?

[@gradinaruandrei5277]

Yes is 02.00.17.03 for APP and 02.00.17.00 for WiFi. My model is ATP921R3052 I don’t understand what’s wrong...

[@IIVQ]

@@gradinaruandrei5277 I have the older 02.00.11.21 (application) and don't have any of the options described by Alex... AFAIK there is no way to force a firmware update. Shame.

[@CupraBBD]

Can you not use IFTTT to do the weather control, if its colder outside?

[@alanrossreviews]

as in setting a custom mode? not sure how you envisage this working.

[@IIVQ]

Thank you Alex and I learnt a few new things from your video. One thing that I miss is that I can't quick change the program for tomorrow. Say I normally get up at 7:30 but only tomorrow (and not next week) I have to get up at 6:30. Is there a way (without reprogramming tomorrow's schedule and later resetting it) I can do that? The "Special day" feature afaik can only be enabled on the day itself, not the day before. (On my trusty old Chronotherm III I often abused the summer/winter time switch for this, which gives you an hour head start in winter time but I don't need heating from march to sept anyway)

[@alanrossreviews]

yes this is a big miss. i get round this by using stringify and ifttt to setup some flows that allows me to set my own timer. however it will only set my custom setting not each zone. so say i set my custom as all zones 23 degrees, i can set a timer in stringify that starts with a button my phone and then sets the custom via ifttt. its a crazy workaround but once setup is easy to use.

[@IIVQ]

@@alanrossreviews Complex, but I'll look into that. For now, I just turn the heat on before I go shower. But for my parents who have underfloor heating, this wouldn't work.

[@scubaharris]

How do you add a temperature control to a new electric zone? I've have the Evohome system controlling the majority of the house with a fairly standard boiler system, but in a toilet extension I have a storage heater. It's only small, but heats up reasonably quickly. Setting the built in controls to constant, it would be easily switched with a BD91 and relay, letting it's integral thermostat take care of the rest. So basically the Evohome would just be acting as a timer. No real problem here, but being a bit of a nurd, I'd quite like to check and set the temperature remotely on my way home from the golf course so I can read my newspaper (or watch your great videos on my phone) in comfort. Any ideas?

[@alanrossreviews]

you just need something to read the zone temperature such as HCF82 or T87RF2033. Thanks for watching my vids, your comments are great too :)

[@scubaharris]

@@alanrossreviews Got it working using Y87RF/BDR91 kit. Took some time and a bit of guesswork. First unbind the Y87RF from the kit and rebind to the Controller using Co setting on the thermostat (that confused me). Add Electric Zone and bind thermostat as Evotouch Sensor then bind the BDR91 as "Actuator". The Electric zone switches completely separate to the HW Combi System I have.... great news, just need to check the wattage on the storage heater. Just noticed that my electric blanket is only a few watts!!!!! Maybe scope for a new video?

[@scubaharris]

Quick update, couldn't understand why the Y87RF thermostat was reading 10C but the controller showing 18C. Answer, I had the Controller setting as "Evotouch - in my haste took this to be the remote thermostat" and the Main Controller is in my kitchen (18C). Change the zone configuration setting to "Remote Sensor" and job done.

[@alanrossreviews]

@@scubaharris thanks for the update, glad you got it sorted. yup, could be a future video 👍

[@officedotie]

Great info thank you Alan can I ask 2 questions ,lets just presume I have 2 rooms, the timer set for on 8am off 9pm for 21 degrees , what happens if I 1. turn up a room to 23 degrees between this time schedule will it still turn off at 9pm and go back to normal settings. 2.If I turn up to 23 degree 30 mins before the shut off at 9pm will it still turn off even if it does not have enough time to reach 23degrees before the set 9pm turn off regards Gary

[@alanrossreviews]

yes when the next timer schedule is due it will switch back to schedule and override manual settings. Yes it doesnt matter if the set temperature is actually reached or not.

[@officedotie]

your very kind thank you may i ask 1 more please i hope you dont mind. if i want 23 degrees in the bed room at 8am do i need to trial and error the system to see what time its needs to strat before i get up in simple terms will i need to set it for 7am in order to have 23 degrees at eight ??

[@alanrossreviews]

what you are looking for is settings>optimisation>optimum start. enable that and it will work out for you when it needs to start to be at the temp you set at the actual time.

[@officedotie]

Thanks Alan I really Appreciate you help

[@theredtally4573]

Great video, many thanks - I've often wondered which radiator is calling for heat! Watching this though brought up another question - your controller shows the outside temperature, so you know if you have to switch this feature on? I have same version as you show on this video, but my screen doesn't show outside temp! I called my brother and he has the same version and his does show outside temp... The only difference between our set-ups is that I've put an opentherm control (paired with a boiler that has opentherm) Everything works fine but it would be nice for outside temp to be shown if someone knows how - I'd be very grateful if you could let me know if you did

[@alanrossreviews]

far as i know as long as your connected to the internet the temperature should show. do you have the connected icon that is to the left of it?

[@theredtally4573]

@@alanrossreviews OK so no, there's no Internet symbol showing either - I assume it has been because it was updating to show new settings sent by phone to the system which it gets from the Internet right? But I have had it and the Internet disconnected today I don't actually know if the icon or outside temp was there in the past (I use the app and i'm fixing up my house and also I work away normally so just set 'away' on the app when I drive to work, cancel it when I'm driving home and the screen hasn't been on show to protect it whilst renovations are going on) Honestly I can't remember if it was there when I set it up years ago, it was only you pointing it out on your video and being locked at home... I'll look for a guide to show connection set-up and give that a go later - thanks for the help, I'll let you know how it goes M

[@alanrossreviews]

go into settings and check your wifi status.

[@theredtally4573]

@@alanrossreviews Hello again - I just managed to check and the Internet wasn't set up! Set it up and wouldn't you know outside temp and WiFi strength showing on the Home screen now Thanks again for your help Alan - sorry to have taken your time with such a simple issue, but it was fantastic you replied so quickly and guided me in, I appreciate it. Best - Mark

[@alanrossreviews]

@@theredtally4573 sorted, excellent 😜

[@gokangs]

Currently i have a similar setup at home to the Honeywell sundial RF2 pack 5 where i have 2 zones i.e zone 1 heats up radiators upstairs bedrooms and zone 2 heats up underfloor heating downstairs. i can have them turned on/off separately or simultaneously. Would this Honeywell evohome work with my setup? If so how,

[@alanrossreviews]

yep you can have underfloor as seperate zones. just get the right accessories to do so.

[@gokangs]

Thank you Alan, for your quick response could you please elaborate further on the right accessories if you can? I have tried contacting Honeywell but got no answer :(

[@alanrossreviews]

is the under floor part of the same boiler? i.e heated form same boiler? or seperate loop and maybe electric?

[@gokangs]

yes the underfloor is heated from the same boiler, it is definitely not electric but what do you mean by separate loop?

[@Cagefighter]

Hi Alan, thinking of getting this, I have a lounge and dining area it has 3 radiators do I have to have a TRV on all of them or will one work them all if I put them in a a zone? Thank you

[@alanrossreviews]

no you dont need a trv on all of them. you actually dont need a trv on any, its a matter of how fine you want to tune it. The controller will switch on and off from a temperature reading which can be the controller itself. However you cant put a radiator into a zone if it does not have a trv. with no trv the radiator will simply come on and off when ANY of the other zones are calling for heat.

[@Cagefighter]

@@alanrossreviews but for it to work with amazon echo I would need them, and to turn upstairs off and downstairs on I would need them, or does this thermostat do that?

[@alanrossreviews]

the thermostat will turn you boiler on and off. it would work with no trvs. The trvs individually can limit the heat at each radiator and ask for heat individually but at the end of the day the master control for heat is the boiler coming on and off. i havent tried with amazon echo, i assume it just sends the command to the controller and the controller then switches the boiler on and off.

[@gazjen9805]

Cheleah27 To use the system as it’s intended you’d need a TRV on each rad so the system can shut down the rooms that are to temp and open the ones that are set to call for heat.

[@Uranday]

I have an older evohome system with gateway but it is on an older version. Any way to force update?

[@azeeuwnl1961]

Patrick Sannes I did some searching and found two things: 1. Evo Home is connected and should be updated automatically. 2. To see if an update can be forced, contact Honeywell support and they will deploy it for you. Hope this helps.

[@Uranday]

@@azeeuwnl1961 contacted the support myself last week. As I understood this only applies for wifi devices, not the non wifi versions.

[@azeeuwnl1961]

Patrick Sannes ah yes, I missed that. If yours is not connected to the internet, upgrading may need to be done by Honeywell in their workshop. Unless they can provide you with a procedure (which I doubt). Unless there's a key feature I'm this update that you need, I wouldn't bother.

[@Chilla_Aquila]

How noisy are the eTRVs? When they're opening or closing.

[@alanrossreviews]

You certainly hear them but I wouldn't describe them as noisy

[@BK-co9wn]

You get a small noise - personally I woudn't have one in my bedroom as I'm a light sleeper!

[@enginyavuz1959]

Great video. I have a question. I have also bought the honeywell system. A Professional installed the sytem but i have a problem. When I change the temperature on the honeywell system it takes 3 minutes before thermostat picks up this temperature. Is this normal? I think this takes too long. Any ideas?

[@alanrossreviews]

so you change the temperature on the main controller and the radiator thermostat doesn't react for 3 minutes? not following you exactly but it sounds like you changing between cycles If the temperature new set point isnt within parameters it wont react till both the boiler and controller are cycling for heat. You can change these settings but the thing to note is do you still get this lag if you set a big degrees difference? the controller estimates how long it needs to fire up to keep each radiator at the set temperature on the next cycle and the boiler will cycle depending on if the water is at the right temperature and how much the drop is on the return flow. So basically yes, it is quite normal for there to be a slight lag unless the required heat is dramatically different.

[@enginyavuz1959]

Yes, when I change the temperature on the mail controller, it takes around 3 minutes (sometimes almost 4 minutes) before the thermostat reacts. I have tried several temperatures but it doesn't change much. Example currently one of the rooms is 25 degrees(it's summer in the Netherlands) and the temperature is set for 18 degrees. When I change this to 20 degrees it takes 3 minutes(sometimes even 4 minutes) before the thermostat reacts. When I change the temperature to 35 degrees (10 degrees more than the room temperature) it again takes almost 3 minutes. I know it's summer now but I was playing with it to get used to it but I think 3 minutes is too long. I have called honeywell and they also said 3 minutes is too long and adviced me to reset everything and start all over again :( I think this a basic answer they always give to people. I was curious to your experience as you are using the system longer than me. Thanks.

[@alanrossreviews]

i dont know your whole system of course but it still sounds like a cycling issue. if you go into installer menu you can play around with the cycle rate. There is a difference between the radistor thermostat opening and shutting and the thermostat showing the set temperature. Next time check if the thermostat has the correct new set temperature within a few seconds of the controller setting a new target.

[@enginyavuz1959]

Alan Ross Reviews currently the cycle rate is set to 6 per hour and the minimum on time is 1 min, internal sensor offset is 0 degrees and the fail safe is disabled. Should I increase the cycle rate and leaf the rest unchanged?

[@alanrossreviews]

have you checked what i said above about seeing if the radiator thermostat has received the new setting? im not sure if you have checked this yet.

[@DVDFHardTarget]

Seems a great system, just the interface needs to improve when compared to Goggle Nest

[@HansKeesom]

The interface maybe a bit old, it works fine for what it needs to do. The nest is a lot of window-dressing but nothing behind it. Evohome just works.

[@Joiedevivredesilives]

The App needs improvement too basic

[@alanrossreviews]

you can say that again.

[@HansKeesom]

The app is fine, does what it needs to do for ordinary users.

[@alanrossreviews]

@@HansKeesom lol! proud to be ordinary!

[@IIVQ]

@@HansKeesom The app functionality is ok. But what I really hate is that you first see a Splash screen for 8 seconds, then a "reconnecting" for 5 sec, then "loading" for 5-12 sec, then a spinning load icon for 5 sec, which means sometimes my phone screen has gone dark before I can interact with the app. That is really horrible.

[@HansKeesom]

@@IIVQ I can see that 10-17 seconds is a long time. To their defense I can say that some other IOT-apps like Philips Hue take time before showing the information I am looking for. At the same time all these apps save me time walking to a panel on the wall to turn things on and off. Worst of them is my Robot vacuum cleaner. S I get your point, feel your pain and therefore installed an Amazon Alexa to talk to so she can do the heavy lifting for me. ;-)

[@Cpt_ViBer]

Evohome SUCKS. Honeywell SUCKS even bigger! Gateways 99% of the time down, website same. Etc etc... Just DON'T Love the video though! ;)

[@alanrossreviews]

😂😂