Supported HVAC system types
Does the Alarm.com Smart Thermostat support multistage systems?
Yes, the Alarm.com Smart Thermostat is compatible with up to three stages of heating and two stages of cooling.
What is a multistage system?
Multistage systems use more than one level of heating or cooling (e.g., high, medium, and low) to save energy and keep the house at a more constant temperature. When the temperature is set, the system automatically adjusts the level of heating or cooling. The system will use the lowest level needed to arrive at the right temperature.
Single-stage systems have only one level of heating or cooling and need to turn on and off much more frequently to maintain a constant temperature. This uses more energy than multistage systems, and also results in more temperature fluctuation.
How to tell if a system is multistage:
Check the number of heating and cooling wires attached to the old thermostat by removing the cover (don’t disconnect the wires) and look for the letters and numbers found where the wires are connected to the thermostat. Heating wires are commonly labeled with a W (and are often white) and cooling wires are commonly labeled with a Y (and are often yellow).
If there is more than one wire for heating or cooling, then the system is a multistage system.
Example: a three-stage heat system can have three white W wires (labeled W1, W2 and W3). A two-stage cooling or heat pump system can have two yellow Y wires (labeled Y1 and Y2).
Is a multistage system the same thing as a multi-zone system?
No. A system can have multiple zones without having multiple stages, and vice versa.
Does the Smart Thermostat support systems with multiple zones?
Yes. The Smart Thermostat supports systems with more than one zone. Each zone can be controlled by its own Smart Thermostat. The Smart Thermostat is compatible with other Z-Wave thermostats; however, the system will work best and most efficiently if all thermostats in the house are replaced with Smart Thermostats.
What is a multi-zoned system?
A multi-zone system is an HVAC system set up so that different areas (zones) of the home can be heated or cooled separately. This can be done using separate thermostats for each zone, or by using a damper in the ductwork to direct hot or cool air to the selected zone.
Can the Smart Thermostat control variable-speed HVAC systems?
The Smart Thermostat can control many variable-speed HVAC systems, which use standard 24 volt wiring (e.g., with R, G, Y, W, C wiring).
What is a variable-speed system?
Variable-speed systems change the fan speed to push more or less hot or cooled air through the vents. Many of these systems also use multiple stages to allow variable heating and cooling speeds.
Are some variable-speed systems incompatible with the Smart Thermostat?
Some variable-speed HVAC systems use proprietary communication between the thermostat and the main HVAC system to enable variable-speed control. Systems like these require a thermostat made by the same manufacturer as the main HVAC unit to fully access their features.
For help determining whether the variable-speed system is compatible with the Smart Thermostat, contact a local HVAC professional for help.
Can the Smart Thermostat control a humidifier or dehumidifier?
Yes. The ADC-T3000 can control a humidifier or dehumidifier using the Z1 and Z2 terminals, while the ADC-T2000 with firmware version 1.5 + can control either a humidifier or dehumidifier using the Z terminal. For more information about humidity control, see Smart Humidity Control - Quick start guide.
Is the Smart Thermostat compatible with an external air baffle for fresh air?
The Smart Thermostat works with HVAC systems that have an external air baffle controlled by the central HVAC system programming.
Some systems rely on the thermostat itself (not the central HVAC system) to control the baffle. The Smart Thermostat will be able to support these systems using the Z terminal. This feature will be made available in the future by a firmware update.
What can the Z terminal on the Smart Thermostat be used to control?
The Z terminal of the Smart Thermostat can currently control:
A third heating stage.
Humidifier.
Dehumidifier.
O/B zoning on heat pump systems with both an O and B wire for the ADC-T2000. This option is not available on the ADC-T3000 due to its separate O and B terminals.
On the ADC-T2000, the O wire would go into the O/B terminal and the B wire would go into the Z terminal.
Important: If the Z terminal is being used to control one of the preceding features, the Z terminal must be configured using the Partner Portal or MobileTech app to allow control.
To configure the Z terminal using the Partner Portal:
Log into the Partner Portal.
Find the customer account.
Click Equipment.
Click Z-Wave Devices.
In the Z-Wave Devices table, locate the row with the thermostat, then click to expand it.
Click Device Commands.
Click Configure Device.
Click Installer.
In Z Terminal, click to select the feature the Z terminal will control.
Click Save.
To configure the Z-terminal using the MobileTech app:
Log into the MobileTech app.
Find the customer account.
Tap Equipment.
In Z-Wave Devices, tap the Smart Thermostat to configure.
Tap Thermostat Configuration.
Tap Installer.
In Z Terminal, tap to select the feature the Z terminal will control.
Tap Save.
Setup and Configuration
Is an account with Alarm.com required to use the Smart Thermostat?
An account is required to configure the Smart Thermostat for the first time. Initial configuration can be done using the Alarm.com Customer Website, Partner Portal, or MobileTech app. If a customer later cancels service, the Smart Thermostat will continue to function, and the customer will retain basic control of heat and cool modes as well as the target temperature. However, all advanced features and capabilities (such as Smart Thermostat scheduling and Away from Home overrides) will be lost.
How to add the Smart Thermostat to (or remove it from) the Alarm.com Z-Wave network:
To add/remove the ADC-T3000:
If using a Z-Wave Security 2 (S2)-capable Z-Wave controller, see Add an S2-encrypted Z-Wave device. If not, refer to the steps below:
Put the Z-Wave controller into Add mode. Refer to the controller documentation for more information.
Press the button.
Select SETTINGS.
Select NETWORK.
Select ADD or REMOVE.
Log into the Customer Website to sync the thermostat with the customer's account.
To add/remove the ADC-T2000:
Put the Z-Wave controller in Add/Delete mode so that it can detect the Smart Thermostat. For more information, consult the instruction manual for the control device.
Verify the Smart Thermostat is in OFF mode.
To put the thermostat in OFF mode, press and hold the button until only the temperature display is lit.
Neither the HEAT nor the COOL icon should be lit to indicate it is in OFF mode.
Trigger the Smart Thermostat to be added/removed.
To trigger the Smart Thermostat, press and hold the button until the RADIO icon lights up.
The RADIO icon pulses white when the Smart Thermostat is being added into a Z-Wave network, and pulse red when it is being removed.
Once the Smart Thermostat has been enrolled to the Alarm.com Z-Wave network, it can be configured using the Alarm.com Partner Portal, MobileTech app, Customer Website, or Customer app.
To configure the Smart Thermostat using the Partner Portal:
Log into the Partner Portal.
Find the customer account.
Click Equipment.
Click Z-Wave Devices.
In the Z-Wave Devices table, locate the row with the thermostat, then click to expand it.
Click Device Commands.
Click Configure Device.
Configure the settings as desired.
Click Save.
To configure the Smart Thermostat using the MobileTech app:
Log into the MobileTech app.
Find the customer account.
Tap Equipment.
In Z-Wave Devices, tap the Smart Thermostat to configure.
Tap Thermostat Configuration.
Configure the settings as desired.
Tap Save.
To configure the Smart Thermostat using the Customer Website:
Log into Customer Website.
On the Thermostat card, click .
Click the Advanced Configuration.
Using the dropdown menu, select the thermostat to configure.
Configure the settings as desired.
Click Save.
To configure the Smart Thermostat using the Customer app:
Log into Customer app.
Tap theicon on the thermostat card.
Tap theicon.
Tap Device Settings.
Configure the settings as desired.
On the Device Settings page, tap Apply to save changes.
Set up a thermostat schedule:
Users can set up a schedule for their Smart Thermostat on the Alarm.com Customer Website or app.
To set up schedules using the Customer Website:
Log into the Customer Website.
In the Thermostat card, click .
Verify the schedule is turned on for the desired thermostats. This is indicated by on each thermostat card.
To turn the schedule on/off:
Click .
Click to select Schedule On or Schedule Off.
On the Thermostats page, click Schedules.
Click Heat or Cool to select which schedule to edit.
Under the adjustment activities (i.e., Away (or Closed), Home (or Open), Sleep (or Closing Up)), click and to specify what temperature the thermostat will adjust to. Note: The names of these activities may change based on the customer's Service Package. Commercial systems will display Closed, Open, and Closing Up target temperature activities, while residential systems display Away, Home, and Sleep target temperature activities.
In View, change the thermostat schedule view by clicking either:
5 & 2-Day to set a weekday and weekend schedule.
7-Day to manage daily schedules independently.
In Settings Per Day, click 2 or 4 to change the number of scheduled thermostat adjustment activities that take place each day.
Use the Activity sliders for each segment to specify the times of the thermostat schedule.
Click Copy Schedule if you would like to copy a set schedule to another day of the week or to another thermostat. To copy a schedule, click either:
Copy a day to apply your schedule to another day of the week.
Copy a full schedule to apply the schedule to another thermostat. Note: This option only appears if the user has more than one thermostat.
Once the schedule is set up as desired, click Save.
If the user has more than one thermostat that they would like schedules on, repeat steps 3 to 11 for each desired thermostat.
Note: There is also an option to set up Smart Away. For more information on Smart Away, see Can thermostat schedules be based on the arming status of the panel?.
To set up schedules using the Customer app:
Log into the Customer app.
Tap on the thermostat card.
Tap for the thermostat to configure.
In Schedule Type, verify the schedule is turned on.
In Edit Basic Schedules, tap to edit individual schedules (i.e., Heat and Cool).
Tap to adjust the Schedule Type and Number of Set Points, if desired.
In Schedule Type, change the view of the thermostat schedule by tapping either:
5 & 2-Day to set a weekday and weekend schedule.
7-Day to manage daily schedules independently.
In Number of Set Points, tap 2 or 4 to change the number of scheduled thermostat adjustment activities that take place each day.
Tap Done once desired changes are selected.
Use the Activity sliders for each segment to specify the times of the thermostat schedule.
Once the schedule is set up as desired, tap Save.
If applicable, tap to edit the other individual schedule (i.e., Heat and Cool), and repeat steps 5 to 8.
If the user has more than one thermostat that they would like schedules on, go back to the main Thermostats page and repeat steps 3 to 9 for each desired thermostat.
The heat pump heats when it is supposed to be cooling. How do I fix this?
Note: These steps only apply to the ADC-T2000. The ADC-T3000 has separate terminals for O and B.
Heat pumps have either an O terminal or a B terminal. When you configure the Smart Thermostat, you are prompted to select which terminal type your heat pump has. If your system heats when it’s supposed to be cooling, this means that the incorrect terminal type was selected at configuration. Dealers can easily change this setting using the Alarm.com Partner Portal or MobileTech app.
To configure the O/B terminal using the Partner Portal:
Log into the Partner Portal.
Find the customer account.
Click Equipment.
Click Z-Wave Devices.
In the Z-Wave Devices table, locate the row with the thermostat, then click to expand it.
Click Device Commands.
Click Configure Device.
Click Installer.
For HVAC Type, verify Heat Pump is selected.
For O/B Terminal, click to select O or B (the opposite of what is currently selected).
Click Save, and then test the system again.
To configure the Smart Thermostat using the MobileTech app:
Log into the MobileTech app.
Find the customer account.
Tap Equipment.
In Z-Wave Devices, tap the Smart Thermostat to configure.
Tap Thermostat Configuration.
Tap Installer.
For HVAC Type, verify Heat Pump is selected.
For O/B Terminal, tap to select O or B (the opposite of what is currently selected).
Tap Save, and then test the system again.
Device questions
If the Smart Thermostat has batteries installed and also has the C-wire connected, will it act as a repeater on my home’s Z-Wave network?
Yes. The Smart Thermostat determines whether it will act as a repeater at the time it’s learned into your Z-Wave network. As long as the C-wire is connected and powering the Smart Thermostat (verify the HVAC system isn’t switched off at the breaker) when it’s learned in, the Smart Thermostat will repeat Z-Wave signals and improve the reliability of your Z-Wave network.
The Smart Thermostat has a strong Z-Wave range, so whenever possible learn it in with C-wire power to improve communication between all Z-Wave devices in the home.
What does it mean when the thermostat reads HOT instead of the temperature?
The Alarm.com Smart Thermostat will display HOT when the temperature reading exceeds 100 degrees.
What happens when the Smart Thermostat is affected by a power outage? Will the customer be notified when power is restored?
Alarm.com checks the Smart Thermostat (ADC-T2000) power level once per day. A power restoral notification will thus be sent a minimum of 24 hours after the initial power outage occurs. If there is not a power outage during the polling period, no outage will be reported.
What are the dimensions of the Smart Thermostat?
ADC-T3000
Thermostat Depth: 0.70 inches
Thermostat Height: 5.0 inches
Thermostat Width: 4.1 inches
ADC-T2000
Thermostat Depth: 0.90 inches
Thermostat Height: 4.9 inches
Thermostat Width: 4.0 inches
What is Emergency Heat (EMER) mode?
Emergency Heat is designed to heat the house quickly but energy inefficiently/expensively. Emergency Heat, labeled EMER, will bypass the Heat Pump and go directly to the Aux Heat. It is only available for the Alarm.com Smart Thermostat. From the Smart Thermostat, put the thermostat into EMER mode locally by holding the button.
Note: EMER will show on the thermostat with the regular Heat Mode indicator. If changed out of EMER mode at the thermostat (Cool/Auto/Off) and then back to Heat it will be regular Heat again, disabling EMER mode.
What is needed for EMER mode?
Alarm.com Smart Thermostat configured as Heat Pump
At least 1 stage of Aux heat
Other common Smart Thermostat questions
Is it possible to configure the Smart Thermostat so that target temperatures can only be adjusted within certain setpoints?
Yes. Setpoint minimum and maximum temperatures can be adjusted on the Smart Thermostat configuration page using the Alarm.com Partner Portal, MobileTech app, Customer Website, or Customer app.
To configure setpoints using the Partner Portal:
Log into the Partner Portal.
Find the customer account.
Click Equipment.
Click Z-Wave Devices.
In the Z-Wave Devices table, locate the row with the thermostat, then click to expand it.
Click Device Commands.
Click Configure Device.
In Heat Setpoint on the User tab, enter the minimum and maximum target temperatures for heat mode.
In Cool Setpoint on the User tab, enter the minimum and maximum target temperatures for cool mode.
Click Save.
To configure setpoints using the MobileTech app:
Log into the MobileTech app.
Find the customer account.
Tap Equipment.
In Z-Wave Devices, tap the Smart Thermostat to configure.
Tap Thermostat Configuration.
In Heat Setpoint on the User tab, enter the minimum and maximum target temperatures for heat mode.
In Cool Setpoint on the User tab, enter the minimum and maximum target temperatures for cool mode.
Tap Save.
To configure setpoints using the Customer Website:
Log into the Customer Website.
Click on the thermostat card.
Click the Advanced Configuration.
Using the dropdown menu, select the desired thermostat.
In Heat Setpoint on the User tab, enter the minimum and maximum target temperatures for heat mode.
In Cool Setpoint on the User tab, enter the minimum and maximum target temperatures for cool mode.
Click Save.
To configure setpoints using the Customer app:
Log into the Customer app.
Tap on the thermostat card.
Tap .
Tap Device Settings.
In Thermostat Lock, tap the current value.
Use the Heat Setpoint slider to adjust the minimum and maximum target temperatures for heat mode.
Use the Cool Setpoint slider to adjust the minimum and maximum target temperatures for cool mode.
Tap Apply to save changes.
Is it possible to prevent changing the Smart Thermostat’s target temperature at the thermostat?
Yes. Local control of the thermostat can be disabled on the Smart Thermostat configuration page with Thermostat Lock using the Alarm.com Partner Portal, MobileTech app, Customer Website, or Customer app.
Thermostat Lock has the following three function options:
Disabled allows local control of setting the target temperature at the Smart Thermostat.
Enabled prevents all local control of the thermostat so that it can only be adjusted using the Customer Website or Customer app.
Partial allows local control of setpoint changes but prevents mode changes at the Smart Thermostat.
To configure Thermostat Lock using the Partner Portal:
Log into the Partner Portal.
Find the customer account.
Click Equipment.
Click Z-Wave Devices.
In the Z-Wave Devices table, locate the row with the thermostat, then click to expand it.
Click Device Commands.
Click Configure Device.
In Thermostat Lock on the User tab, click to select the desired function.
Click Save.
To configure Thermostat Lock using the MobileTech app:
Log into the MobileTech app.
Find the customer account.
Tap Equipment.
In Z-Wave Devices, tap the Smart Thermostat to configure.
Tap Thermostat Configuration.
In Thermostat Lock on the User tab, tap to select the desired function.
Tap Save.
To configure Thermostat Lock using the Customer Website:
Log into Customer Website.
Click on the thermostat card.
Click the Advanced Configuration.
Using the dropdown menu, select the thermostat to configure.
In Thermostat Lock on the User tab, click to select the desired function.
Click Save.
To configure Thermostat Lock using the Customer app:
Log into Customer app.
Tap on the thermostat card.
Tap .
Tap Device Settings.
In Thermostat Lock, tap the current value.
Tap to select the desired function.
Tap Select.
Tap Apply to save changes.
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