Remote Control Thermostat: Luddite/ Cheapo Option needed

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pybyr

Minister of Fire
Jun 3, 2008
2,300
Adamant, VT 05640
Hello all-

Would really like to have a simple way to kick on my oil furnace from away from home, only occasionally, and only as needed, for situations when I am not able to tend the wood fire on a sufficiently timely basis, just so that the oil furnace can start to take the chill off before arriving home.

I truly don't want some uber sophisticated or uber spendy cutting edge whizbang solution/ home automation extravaganza.

In fact, as someone with too many projects competing for time and budget, I really don't want this to turn into a significant undertaking of time or $ or one more thing to learn the ropes of.

I am very at ease with electronics but I want something as complex to operate as a brick.

Some simple cheap way to toggle a relay by web access or phone DTMF would do the job splendidly.

Appreciate any suggestions

Thanks!
 
Google DTMF remote relay. You will get a lot of results, including how to instructions. The same terms on eBay will also bring up some products. I don't know if any of them will meet your exact requirements, but something workable should be out there.
 
Personally, I think you should shell out a little more and buy a (cheap) wifi tstat. I think there are some under $100.

That way you can also monitor your temps remotely, some might email you if things get too cold, etc.
 
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