HAI OMNISTAT RC-101 User manual

O M N I S T A T
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATING THERMOSTAT
Owner's Manual
RC-101 Heat Pump
Real Time Pricing System
2 Stage Heat / 1 Stage Cool
Document Number 13R00-4
January, 1997
AUTO
ModeHold Prog Fan
DAY
COOL
:
P
OMNISTAT

Copyright © 1997 Home Automation, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..................................1
DESCRIPTION ....................................1
ABOUT HEAT PUMPS ..............................2
OPERATION .....................................4
DISPLAY ........................................7
FILTER REMINDER ................................9
ANTICIPATION ...................................9
REAL TIME PRICING SYSTEM .......................10
SETTING THE CURRENT TIME AND DAY ...............11
PROGRAMMING ..................................12
SETTING THE VARIATION FOR HIGHER RATES .........12
SETTING TIME SCHEDULES .........................13
SYSTEM MODE ...................................14
AUTOMATIC TIME UPDATE .........................15

This thermostat is Listed by Underwriter's Laboratories and
UL Canada.
This thermostat has been tested and found to comply with the
requirements of the European Union for Electromagnetic
Interference, Electromagnetic Immunity and Safety under the
applicable EMI and Low Voltage Directives and Standards.
This thermostat has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the
FCC Rules.
This product generates and can radiate radio frequency
energy. Due to its low power design, it is unlikely to
interfere with radio and TV communications. If it is
suspected of doing so, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the problem by reorienting the receiver's antenna, moving the
receiver away from the product, or consulting an experienced
radio/TV technician for help.
FCC

INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing your new RC-101 heat pump electronic
communicating thermostat. Your thermostat will provide you with
comfort, convenience, and energy savings for years to come.
We hope that you take a few moments to become familiar with all of
the features of this fine product by reviewing this manual. Please
keep this manual on file for future reference.
DESCRIPTION
The RC-101 is a precision digital thermostat with Real Time Pricing,
specifically designed for heat pumps. It has the capability of being
controlled both locally and by remote control. It offers
programmability, stand alone operation, and robust, optically isolated
communications with automation systems, utility control systems,
and personal computers.
There are several items which can be configured at the time of
installation. These items have a check box ( ) for your installer to
indicate which features are used in your system.
As an EPA ENERGY STAR Partner, Home Automation, Inc. has
determined that this thermostat meets the ENERGY STAR
guidelines for energy efficiency.
MAINTENANCE
Your new thermostat is maintenance free. There is no battery to
install or replace. If necessary, clean unit carefully with a mild soap
solution on a soft cloth.
1

ABOUT HEAT PUMPS...
A heat pump is a mechanical refrigeration system that operates in
two modes, heating and cooling. In cooling mode, the heat pump
takes indoor heat and pumps it outside, just like a standard air
conditioner. In heating mode, the process is reversed: the heat pump
takes outside heat and pumps it inside. Although it feels cold
outside, the air still has heat in it that the heat pump can use as a
source of heat. The fact that the heat pump moves heat from one
place to the other (as opposed to creating heat directly from
electricity or gas) is the key to it's remarkable efficiency. A heat
pump usually produces over 3 times more heat per watt of electricity
than standard electric heating.
While some heat pumps use outside air as their source of heat, others
use the heat available under the ground or in a water well. These are
called air-source, ground-source, or water-source heat pumps,
respectively. The RC-101 is capable of controlling all of these types
of heat pumps.
In extremely cold conditions, the heat pump may require assistance
from another source of heat, known as "auxiliary heating". Auxiliary
heating is less efficient than the heat pump, so it is best to use the
heat pump instead of the auxiliary heat.
For normal and most efficient operation, the RC-101 should be in
HEAT or AUTO mode so that it can properly control the auxiliary
heat. The heat pump is used first, auxiliary heat is used only if
necessary.
In EMERGENCY HEAT mode, the RC-101 will turn the heat pump
off and use the auxiliary heating only. This mode may be used if the
heat pump has failed.
2

ENERGY EFFICIENT CONTROL
Using the programmable or remote control features of your
thermostat, you can save energy costs by setting back the thermostat
during unoccupied times. This reduces the energy loss from indoors
to outdoors. In the past, it has been said that heat pumps should not
be set back because it takes more energy to re-heat the premises than
to keep it at the same temperature. This is true with mechanical
thermostats, because they will use the inefficient auxiliary heat to
recover from the setback. This is not true with the RC-101, because
it uses intelligence to ensure that recovery from setback is done using
the heat pump, and not the auxiliary heat. Because the heat pump
takes longer to recover, heat pumps should not be set back for periods
of time less than 4 to 6 hours.
The RC-101 has microprocessor intelligence that continually
monitors the performance of the heat pump and uses the auxiliary
heat only when necessary. If the RC-101 determines that the heat
pump is able to heat at a rate of 5 degrees per hour or better, the
auxiliary heat will not be used. If the heat pump is unable to heat at
this rate, the RC-101 will use the auxiliary heat to supplement that of
the heat pump. Under these conditions, the heat pump will run
continuously and the auxiliary heat will cycle on and off as needed.
If you wish to temporarily override Energy Efficient Control to heat
as quickly as possible, press the Hold key. The RC-101 will use the
Auxiliary Heat as needed to reach the heat setting, then resume
Energy Efficient Control once the setting is reached.
Remember to turn Hold off to resume programmed operation.
3

OPERATION
To take advantage of all the benefits and features offered by your
thermostat, we recommend that you start by becoming familiar with
its operation.
AUTO
4
ModeHold
2
Prog
3
Fan
5
1
DAY
COOL
:
P
6
7
OMNISTAT
8
9
1- Display
The Display is used to show current time, temperature, outdoor
temperature (optional), mode, and to give useful information that
will guide you through normal operation of your thermostat.
2- Hold
Press the Hold key to set the system into Hold mode. In Hold
mode, the thermostat will not change its settings by program.
When hold mode is first turned on, the RC-101 will use the
auxiliary heat to get to the heat setting as quickly as possible.
Once the temperature is at or very near the heat setting, or if the
temperature is already near the heat setting, the RC-101 will
resume energy efficient operation.
4

3- Prog
Press the Prog (programming) key to set the current time and day
(hours, minutes, day of week), and to program the temperature
time schedules for the MORN, DAY, EVE, and NITE periods.
4- Mode
Press the Mode key to set the thermostat mode to Off, Heat,
Cool, Auto, or EM Heat.
In Off mode, the heating and cooling systems are both off and do
not respond to changes in temperature settings.
In Heat mode, the heating system responds to maintain your
desired heating setting.
In Cool mode, the cooling system responds to maintain your
desired cooling setting.
In Auto mode, your thermostat will automatically switch between
heat and cool to maintain your desired heating and cooling
settings.
In Emergency Heat mode (displayed as EM HEAT) the
thermostat will turn off the heat pump and use the auxiliary
heating to maintain the temperature setting. This mode should
only be used if the heat pump is malfunctioning, because the
auxiliary heat costs more to operate than the heat pump.
5- Fan
Press the Fan key to set the system fan to Fan Auto or Fan On.
In Fan Auto mode, the fan runs only when the system calls for
heating or cooling.
In Fan On mode, the fan runs continuously.
5

6- Down Arrow (∨)
Press the Down Arrow key to lower the desired temperature.
7- Up Arrow (∧)
Press the Up Arrow key to raise the desired temperature.
8- Aux Heat Indicator
The Aux Heat indicator (green) glows when the auxiliary heat is
on.
9- Check Indicator
The Check indicator (red) may be used to indicate a malfunction
of the heat pump, of for some other condition. Your installer
will explain its use.
Note:To check your desired setting without changing it, press the
up or down arrow key (∧or ∨)once.
6

DISPLAY
The following icons will be displayed during normal operation:
1- Temperature Display
Shows the current temperature, desired temperature, or heating
and cooling settings.
2- Time Display
Shows the current time of day.
3- DESIRED
DESIRED is displayed when the temperature display shows the
desired temperature setting.
4- OUTSIDE
OUTSIDE will be displayed when the temperature display shows
the outdoor temperature. The outdoor temperature will be
displayed every 4 seconds.
FAN AUTO
10 9876
11
12
13
MORN
DAY
EVE
NITE
REMOTE
HOLD
EM HEAT
OFF COOL
1
::
2
OUTSIDE
DESIRED
A
4
5
3
7

5-


The Top


is displayed when the heating or cooling system is
running.
The Bottom


is displayed when the Auxiliary heat is on.
6- COOL
COOL is displayed when the system is in Cool mode.
7- AUTO
AUTO is displayed when in automatic changeover mode.
8- HEAT
HEAT is displayed when the system is in Heat mode.
EM HEAT is displayed when the Emergency Heat is on.
9- FAN
FAN is displayed when the fan is set to run continuously.
10- OFF
OFF is displayed when the system is in the Off mode.
11- REMOTE
REMOTE is displayed when the last command received by the
thermostat was sent by a remote system.
12- Period Indicators
MORN, DAY, EVE, or NITE is displayed when scheduled
temperature changes are made by the thermostat programs.
8

13- HOLD
HOLD is displayed when the system is in Hold mode.
FILTER REMINDER
Your thermostat logs the amount of time your heating and cooling
system has been running and gives you a reminder when it's time to
replace your filter.
" F I L t"will be displayed every four seconds in the place of the
time display when it is time to change you filter. To clear the
reminder, press the Prog key. The display will return to normal in 10
seconds. Don't forget to change your filter!
ANTICIPATION
Your thermostat has a sophisticated control system designed to keep
you comfortable while saving energy. Part of the control system is a
feature called "anticipation", which anticipates the need to turn the
system on or off before the temperature is actually at the setting.
As humans, we perceive temperature as a combination of heat in the
air and heat radiated from the walls and surroundings. The
thermostat also measures a combination of air and wall temperature.
When heating, the air temperature rises faster than the wall
temperature. The thermostat will turn the heat off briefly to prevent
overheating the air while the wall temperature catches up. Your
comfort is assured without overshooting the heat setting, which
wastes energy.
In summer, the thermostat will periodically run the cooling system to
circulate the air and remove humidity when the temperature is close,
but not above the cool setting. You will be more comfortable at a
higher cool setting, which saves energy.
Remember to allow some time for the thermostat to adapt to a new
setting.
9

REAL TIME PRICING SYSTEM
Your thermostat may be configured to adjust its temperature settings
in response to changes in the cost of energy. Using this feature, you
can take advantage of your energy provider's rate structure without
sacrificing your comfort.
The thermostat can make adjustments for 4 energy rates: LO, MID,
HI and CRIT (critical). At LO energy rates, the thermostat controls
your system as it normally would, with no variation for energy rates.
For each of the higher rates, MID, HI and CRIT, you can easily set
the number of degrees of variation by changing the VAR (variation)
settings for the rate.
The rate currently in effect is provided to the thermostat by the
energy provider's meter or other device. The thermostat will raise the
cool setting or lower the heat setting by the amount that you select for
the higher rates. The thermostat display will show which rate is in
use by periodically flashing RATE - LO, MID, HI or CRIT in the time
display.
The thermostat remembers your original settings, and will show them
if you press the up or down arrows to see the desired settings. The
thermostat will control using the original setting and the variation for
the rate in use. For example, if your heat setting is 68 degrees, the
rate is hi, and the variance for hi is set to 3, the thermostat will
control to 65 degrees.
Real time pricing variations can be used with or without the
programming feature of the thermostat.
AUTO
RATE
DAY
COOL
10

SETTING THE CURRENT TIME AND DAY
To set or change the current time and day, press and release the Prog
key. The hour will blink.
1. Use the arrow keys (∧-∨) to change the hour.
2. Press the Prog key to advance to minutes.
3. Use the arrow keys (∧-∨) to change minutes.
4. Press the Prog key to advance to day of week.
5. Use the arrow keys (∧-∨) to set the day of week
(1=Monday - 7=Sunday).
Press the Mode key when complete, or simply wait 8 seconds for the
display to return to normal.
:: P
OFF
:: P
OFF
:: P
OFF
DAY
11

PROGRAMMING
Your thermostat may be programmed to adjust the heating and
cooling settings up to 4 times per day (MORN, DAY, EVE, NITE).
You can setup a temperature time schedule for weekdays, Saturday,
and Sunday.
To enter programming mode, press the Prog key 4 times.
When in programming mode:
1. The item that is being programmed will flash.
2. The up arrow key (∧) is used to increase the value.
3. The down arrow key (∨) is used to decrease the value.
4. The Prog (>) key is used to advance to the next item.
5. The Hold (<) key is used to return to the previous item.
6. To exit programming mode, press the Mode key.
The thermostat will automatically exit programming mode after 20
seconds of no key activity.
SETTING THE VARIATION FOR HIGHER RATES
To view or change the variation for MID, HI and CRIT rates, press
the Prog key four times. The display will show RATE MID. The
variation, in degrees, for the MID rate will flash:
RATE
VAR
12

1. Use the arrow keys to change the variance for the MID rate.
2. Press the Prog key to advance to the HI rate. Use the arrow
keys to change the variance for the HI rate.
3. Repeat step 2 for the CRIT (critical) rate.
(Typical settings for variance are: MID:1, HI:3, CRIT: 6)
SETTING TIME SCHEDULES
When programming a time for the Morning, Day, Evening, or Night
period, the time will be increased or decreased in 15 minute
increments. If the up arrow is pressed at 11:45 PM, or the down
arrow is pressed at 12:00 AM, the time display will be blank,
indicating that no scheduled temperature changes will be made for
that period.
Your thermostat will follow a set of time scheduled programs on
weekdays (Monday-Friday), on Saturday, and on Sunday. This will
allow you to have different heating and cooling settings on Saturday
and Sunday, than you normally would have for weekdays (Monday -
Friday). When programming the time schedules, the weekday time
schedule is programmed first. The Saturday time schedule is
programmed second, and the Sunday time schedule is programmed
last.
To view or change the programming time schedules of your
thermostat, press and the Prog key four times. The weekday MORN
time will flash.
1. Use the arrow keys (∧-∨) to change the scheduled time for the
displayed period (MORN, DAY, EVE, or NITE)
13

2. Press the Prog key to advance to the next item.
3. Use the arrow keys (∧-∨) to change the desired cool setting.
4. Press the Prog key to advance to the next item.
5. Use the arrow keys (∧-∨) to change the desired heat setting.
6. Press the Prog key to advance to the next period.
Repeat steps 1-6 for the
DAY
,
EVE
, and
NITE
periods. Afterwards,
repeat steps 1-6 for 4 daily periods on Saturdays (Day 6), and 4
daily periods on Sundays (Day 7). The temperature display will
show "6" for Saturdays, and "7" for Sunday times.
Note: If Programming Mode is not being used and Day/Night Mode
is being used, only the Weekday - DAY and NITE settings can be
programmed.
::
A
MORN DESIRED
MORN
COOL
DESIRED
::
A
MORN DESIRED
::
A
HEAT
14

SYSTEM MODE
Your thermostat can be connected to an automation system or
personal computer. With network software, the remote system can
send commands to the thermostat to change mode, cool setting, heat
setting, status of fan and hold, and other items.
"REMOTE" will be displayed when a command is sent from the
automation system or personal computer. You can use the arrow
keys (∧-∨) on the thermostat to change the temperature settings.
When the temperature settings are changed at the thermostat,
"REMOTE" will no longer be displayed. Press the Hold key to
prevent thermostat programs or the remote system from changing
temperature settings. "HOLD" will be displayed at the thermostat.
AUTOMATIC TIME UPDATE
The thermostat time will automatically be updated by the connected
automation system.
POWER OUTAGES
The thermostat will restart the heating/cooling system 3 to 8 minutes
after the electricity comes back on. All settings and programs are
stored permanently, and will not be affected by a power outage.
CLOCK
The thermostat clock is maintained for approximately 25 minutes
during an electrical outage.
15

TIME SCHEDULES
The table below shows the time schedules that are currently set into
your thermostat. There is a blank table at the bottom that can be
used to plan changes to the current schedule.
WEEKDAYS SATURDAYS SUNDAYS
MORN 6:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM
COOL 78 78 78
HEAT 70 70 70
DAY 8:00 AM
COOL 85 85 85
HEAT 62 62 62
EVE 6:00 PM
COOL 78 78 78
HEAT 70 70 70
NITE 10:00 PM 11:00 PM 10:00 PM
COOL 82 82 82
HEAT 62 62 62
WEEKDAYS SATURDAYS SUNDAYS
MORN
COOL
HEAT
DAY
COOL
HEAT
EVE
COOL
HEAT
NITE