I have a builder who is asking for a humidity sensor that can be installed in his homes. He is looking for something that will monitor and log the humidity inside the homes throughout the year, with a web interface he can access from anywhere. The purpose of this is to support warranty claims. His contracts with his customers state that the humidity in the home must be kept at a certain level in order to maintain the warranty on certain parts of the home (floors, trim work, etc.)

Initially my first thought is a smart thermostat that would have this feature (I believe the new Honeywell thermostats can do this), however, since this is purely for the builder, I think a stand alone device would be best. I found a few options using Google, but was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with any particular products.

Also, most of what I found with Google is battery powered. Since the home owner would have no real incentive to replace the batteries, and I'm sure the builder will not want to go to each house to do this, I believe something with an actual power supply will be needed.

Thanks!

I imagine the builder is supplying the HVAC system, so why not use a wifi enabled thermostat/humidistat?

I haven't used honeywell's unit, but I am using Radio Thermostat's CT80 for the first time, and so far it seems decent. I'm not sure about logging capability out of the box.

[Link: radiothermostat.com]

My thought is the home owner would want to set up their own account for a thermostat so they can use its app. They would then have to provide the builder with their username and password, which I do not think most will want to do.

Just install a second tstat for the builder.

I don't consider a second thermostat just for the builder to be a good option when there are devices that are made specifically for this task. I was just hoping someone would have some experience with one of these products. But thank you for the suggestions.

No first hand experience, but if you haven't checked out the HOBO units from onset, that's probably worth a look.

I have one builder that I still do T-stats for. I mostly stopped because I didnt want any headaches. This was after the Nest fiasco.

Since then I have exclusively used the Honeywell wifi thermostat below.
It's been solid, no issues that I know of.

Anyway, the first things I do when I get back into the home for phase 2 is set up the network and the thermostats then set up the account with Honeywell by making a gmail for the client, Ex. [email protected]

Once project is complete and homeowner takes possession they can do whatever they want with the account, the builder no longer needs it to document anything. Of course, the t-stats are sold into the project from the beginning.

[Link: wifithermostat.com]

This is why I do not think a thermostat is the way to go. The builder needs to have access.

Really who is going to let the builder just use their network for free. Is their not a device that can log the info?

How are you getting paid for this? Are you responsible for monitoring this for him? What happens when they change wifi passwords or better yet service providers after the new user discount is gone?

web based access will unfortunately hinge on the client's Internet service unless cellular is used.

the same contract that specifies the warranty conditions should perhaps also specifies that the client is obligated to provide the builder with web and/or physical access to a monitoring device (along with any other reasonable provisions for the builder to conduct the required monitoring.)

Well I couldn't find anything that would be cheap enough for them to include in every house, and yes you are right that it would all hinge on the home owners network, so I just emailed him suggesting a simple data logger that would have to be checked when on site. He would more than likely be on site anyways to review the issue the homeowner would be complaining about.

I guess im confused on what is needed here....
The builder needs access to whatever device is used AFTER the home is transferred to the owner?

Ok, I re read op....I guess builder needs it for as long as the warranty period is

This is tricky. The builder won't be in a great position if the data he needs to verify a client's claim sits in the hands of that client.

Just a thought: It seems that it's in everyone's best interest to know if humidity levels are too high BEFORE any defects surface. Maybe that can factor in to the solution.

Is their an alarm module that can go off if the humidity gets too low?