Those pesky locked thermostats

Blue Ice from my cooler.
(Not shown is my hand towel draped over the whole "assembly.")
Dropped the temp at the stat by ~5degF in ~10min, so I could proceed to test the Heat.

That's great! During summer I usually test AC (if they have it) first for an hour or so, then test heat just before time to go - but enough time to be sure it shuts all the way down, including blower.

Philo wrote:Blue Ice from my cooler.
(Not shown is my hand towel draped over the whole "assembly.")
Dropped the temp at the stat by ~5degF in ~10min, so I could proceed to test the Heat.

I am anxious to learn more. Please school me on this method.

What did you set the blue ice on?

Interesting we used to do that in elementary school by putting snow on the thermostat to trick it into thinking the room was cold and then turning on.

A hairdryer could be used to trick it the other way, or place a microwaved towel on it.

Lol um...

All you have to do is google the brand of model of the thermostat, click on the installation instructions, and unlock it...

Juan Jimenez wrote:Lol um...

All you have to do is google the brand of model of the thermostat, click on the installation instructions, and unlock it...

You think you can break into my commercial grade Honeywells?

What is generally involved Juan?

That is one way to do it. It is amazing how many houses are so hot that the furnace will now turn on.

sknudson wrote:That is one way to do it. It is amazing how many houses are so hot that the furnace will now turn on.

Now I get it, the locked thermostat! I should have read that.

scottwarga wrote:What did you set the blue ice on?

Scott,
In their pantry was a sponge mop and bucket. I had to turn the bucket over and set the mop on top. Just right.

Juan Jimenez wrote:Lol um...

All you have to do is google the brand of model of the thermostat, click on the installation instructions, and unlock it...

Perhaps, but then I would have to violate my "stay away from people's equipment programming" policy.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 08/28/2016 11:31 PM EDT

Juan Jimenez wrote:Lol um...

All you have to do is google the brand of model of the thermostat, click on the installation instructions, and unlock it...

Very clever Philo.

I was thinking the same thing Juan....Yes I have used google on some Honeywell units. Lots of information out there on various discussion boards. When it comes to locked Nest thermostats now that's another story involving a phone call.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 08/30/2016 08:41 PM EDT

Nathan wrote:

Juan Jimenez wrote:Lol um...

All you have to do is google the brand of model of the thermostat, click on the installation instructions, and unlock it...

You think you can break into my commercial grade Honeywells?

What is generally involved Juan?

I don't know that I can, but when I'm at a hotel, vacation house, inspection house etc with a locked thermostat all I do I google the brand and model, look up the installers instructions and and unlock it. I like it cold but people always lock them out at like 73. I've never had one I could not unlock. All the information is readily available online.

It's usually pressing two buttons at once to get into the back menu and then a series of numbers and settings. You need the manual the know what the numbers mean.

I have yet to run into a "locked" thermostat. I've had a few without batteries or some that didn't work at all. I get the idea that is conveyed here.