Apparently engadget.com has a wireless product from Ecobee -- it's $100 more than the previous product I found. I love gadgets, but this is getting more expensive.

And I landed there from a second SlashDot post here -- since the post is from 2004, I did a search and found the newer product. And the search continues.

Searching for an X10 thermostat solution

I installed a new thermostat a while back but it's been cold this winter, and I couldn't figure out why. It turns out that the thermostat I have has an offset error of about 6C (11F, for those not on the metric system). So I'm searching for some kind of automated solution, and since I'm a Linux guy, I'd like to hook it up to my Linux workstation and be able to set the temperature up or down while not at home. Radical, I know -- but I think the technology exists.

X10 - Smart Home Networking was my first stop; it lists possibilities for doing home networking using X10. It leads me to MisterHouse which I've looked at before, when I knew a lot less about being a Linux SysAdmin (I still have a lot to learn). The guys at HomeToys.com is all about taking things apart to hack on them -- that's a little too much hardware for me.

Search on SlashDot turned up this useful post which was full of useful information, X10 thermostats from Reconsys, sold on the smarthome.com web site for the 'hot price' of $280. There's also this discontinued item at the same web site. On a lower level, phidgets.com has a few bits and pieces -- again, that's getting a little hard core for me. The SlashDot post also referred to WebBrick and this page but I can't figure out where the products are -- or if these UK products will work in Canada.

Well, that's a start on the research. I plan to visit Active Surplus on Queen St to see what they have in the way of odds and ends. Stay tuned.