Hi Everyone,
I am writing to tell you the rest of the story concerning my VIP-1000
talking thermostat.
It seems that when you send an email, you never know what will happen. In
this case, someone on the list forwarded my post to Harry Cohen of Talking
Thermostats.Com, a company that sells the VIP-1000. He passed it along to
Fred Rhoads of Smartway Solutions, the thermostat's manufacturer. Had Mr..
Cohen not contacted me, I most likely would have lived with my thermostat
and its problem, because the malfunction only happened twice in all the time
that I used the product. However, because of Mr.. Cohen's intervention, I
learned that there was a known issue with my thermostat, which you will see
if you continue to read this message. Even more important, today I received
a brand new, upgraded correctly-working thermostat from Smartway Solutions.
This experience tells me that Mr.. Rhoads and Mr.. Cohen are two high-class
individuals who represent companies that manufacture and sell a fine product
that deserves our support. I thank them both for their willingness to make
things right. It is wonderful that they both stand behind the VIP-1000, and
are glad to help anyone resolve problems.
So, as Paul Harvey says, "now you know the rest of the story."
I also want to thank those of you who took the time to provide other
possible explanations for my experience.
-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Rhoads [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 9:50 AM
To: Diane Scalzi
Subject: VIP1000 Talking Themostat Problem
Hi Diane,
I receive a copy of your email group posting about the problems you had
with the VIP1000 Talking Thermostat which reads as follows:
______________________________________________________________________
Hi Everyone,
I am writing to pass along an experience we had last night with our
VIP-1000 talking thermostat. At around 11:30 PM, I set the clock ahead one
hour for daylight savings time and changed the day to Sunday. At around
2:00 AM, I heard the furnace click on, which seemed unusual since we have it
programmed to go down to 65 degrees at night, and it didn't feel that cold
in the house. A press of the report button indicated that the indoor
temperature was 37 degrees. There was no way this was correct, so we
changed the
batteries and it began reading normally.
We have owned our VIP-1000 since last July or August and have been very
pleased with the independence it brings, and it basically works as
advertised. However, since we have already changed the batteries twice, I
don't believe they will last for two years as stated in a previous message.
Also, we have never received a low battery message through the report
button. The only way we know it is time to change the batteries is when
the thermostat goes wacky.
Just wanted you to know...
Diane Scalzi
21621 Briarcliff
St. Clair Shores, MI 48082
Phone: (586) 296-6623
Email: [log in to unmask]
_____________________________________________________________________
As the manufacturer SmartWay Solutions regrets any inconvenience caused by
the VIP1000 reporting the incorrect indoor temperature. Unfortunately
early VIP Talking Thermostats had a unknown operating software glitch that
could cause an incorrect indoor temperature reading if a button press
occurred simultaneously to processor reading the temperature sensor (which
takes literally a split second). Once the glitch was discovered our
engineers immediately corrected it by upgrading the operating software.
Because only some of the early users were effected only a handful of
problem VIPs were reported. When reported we have always immediately
shipped the customer an updated, corrected thermostat. Likewise, we are
shipping you today an upgraded replacement VIP1000.
Installing the replacement VIP thermostat is easy. Detach the old VIP
Thermostat from its backplate like you did to replace the batteries. Leave
the backplate wired and attached to the wall as it has not been changed.
Now detach the replacement VIP front from its backplate. Nest attach the
new VIP front to the old VIP backplate on the wall and, once you program
your custom settings, your done.
Concerning the frequent battery change issue. Most likely the batteries
you replaced were still good. Because the low indoor temperature glitch
locked up the processor, removing the batteries allowed the thermostat to
reboot just like a computer. Once rebooted the thermostat operates
correctly unless another "button push" glitch reoccurs. This explains why
you never heard a low battery alert. We've run a test VIP thermostat
programmed to talk every 5 minutes for 14 months before the low battery
alert appeared. We estimate that with normal use the 4 AA batteries in the
VIP should last at least one year and possibly two or more years.
Diane, we would greatly appreciate if you could let your email group that
this problem was solved and that any VIPs sold after July 2003 should not
experience this problem. Of course any customers with early model VIPs are
welcome to contact me for an immediate upgrade replacement.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Fred Rhoads
Customer Service
SmartWay Solutions, Inc.
1309 Dealers Avenue
New Orleans, LA 7012443
toll free (866) 743-5663
fax (504) 736-9620
[log in to unmask]
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