evohome update 2020

[Rameses]

Hi

Sorry been away - other stuff etc. So dipping in.

evohome is still being developed, supported and marketed. It is still a best seller for us across 20+ counties (ironically part of the challenge, as we have been launching it across Europe and beyond) and our best performing thermostat. I have seen the phrase 'if it ain't broke . . ' which is kind of true. Many other countries in the last few years (especially eastern regions) have benefitted. That said, even if it isn't broke, we do understand the need to maintain it and help carry on the investment. So we are sympathetic to the recent posts and I hope the following post helps.

We cannot go into to many details. But I am posting this thread to this loyal group to give some future insight - especially when I read some of the recent posts. Some of it maybe not new news but what we give is as much as we can give right now.

One thing is resolute throughout this - we don't treat home heating systems in fast and careless way. So even the most basic development which is invisible to the outside world is security and stress tested in ways which you cannot imagine. (Keeping up with just the home partner API's (Google / Amazon etc) is fulltime job alone) We don't want to lose the trust of millions of users we have. So every development is carefully considered.

We are proud to still have what we believe is the most reliable, secure and best performing system which customers 6+ years on still can claim was a great investment. Investing £1000+ in a heating system, shouldn't be considered the same as a bi-annual shiny phone. If you want something to play with and change every six months, evohome probably isn't the right product for you.

Anyway here is some news.

App
Yup lots of app stuff happening - short story - we are working to one global app experience. Which covers the whole home (not just temp) experience, and it globally adoptable, across languages. This will make data management, home management and other development benefits available to all. So for existing software and notification updates development on platforms soon to be made redundant are not planned, for obvious reasons.

evohome firmware
The team are working on the next big update. They have been working with feedback from the forum along with other feedback/research in the field to see how to improve the performance of what is already best in class leveraging nearly 6 years' worth of continued insight. I can disclose the updates will be around 2 main visible areas, Zone Scaling (name TBC) and Weather Compensation. Dev team are in final testing and hoping to have a roll out in Q2 (once we captured full season testing / change patterns and across all countries). It will launch when its ready.

evohome - hardware
Can't say a lot. But our mantra has been to make sure people carry on and realise their investment where possible. So we are developing 'satellite' add-ons which will help evohome to integrate into the new energy control spaces (heat pumps etc)

Support
We have spent A LOT in developing our support mechanisms - so please utilise the support team (03001301299) - if you need it. We don't sell evohome directly. So going through your trusted installer / professional should be first port of call if you bought via that route. We invest in training heavily so they are there to assist and advise.


PS Due to job - I rarely read this forum as much as I would like. There are some other fantastic people on here which I see sponsor evohome as much as I do. To those people we thank you. You are heroes.
PPS In same vein - I love getting messages - but due to job / time zone etc - I am unable to reply (or even read).
PPPS These views are my own and not formally Resideo's. I share what information I have in good faith and in an effort to help and encourage. All information could change and is subject to outside forces.
PPPPS Fun video - https://www.facebook.com/BBCArchive/...type=2&theater

[FullBore]

Many thanks Rameses; that's very reassuring.

FB

[paulockenden]

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[DBMandrake]

Any hints as to what you mean by "Zone Scaling" ? I can think of more than one possible interpretation of that...

[mtmcgavock]

Glad to hear that it's still Honeywells main product for Connected Heating, with it being on the quiet front of late I was getting a bit worried it might get fully replaced by a new system due to the lack of updates and poor App support of late.

Looking forward to the updates, and glad I can inform my customers with these systems that they've invested in that there is still updates to come.

Roll on 2020.

[mtmcgavock]

On another note, are they doing the Beta testers like the last firmware update?

As an Installer of these systems i'd love to be a part of this.

[basiluk]

Very grateful for the update and your time, glad to see that Honeywell are still committed to EVH.

[BuxtonJim]

Yes, as with the others, thank you for posting Rameses. It's reassuring to hear that EH is still in development and I too am fascinated by the zone scaling and the prospect of satellite add-ons to allow further functionality.

[paulockenden]

Thanks for the update Rameses.

You do need a new term for Zone Scaling, whatever it is!

Scaling has nasty connotations when it comes to water based heating!

[G4RHL]

Thanks Ramses. Appreciated. I am over 5 years in, it works well.

Suggestions:

1. I don’t think there are as many “trusted installers/professionals” as Resideo may believe. As often reported in the forum they are few. Those referenced in the past on Honeywell’s site seemed to have little knowledge of the system. I had to explain it to one such some time back. But it is a system that can be installed by most people. It is not rocket science. That leads to the next point.

2. The instruction manuals need to be clearer and simpler. The Evohome Shop a long time back provided better instructions in this forum.

3. Make it HomeKit compatible, but from what you outline that may be happening. Many of us don’t want several different apps controlling our homes. I have 4! I would rather use one.

4. Resideo needs to talk to it’s customers and not carry on Honeywell’s trait of ignoring them. The end user is the most important link for the provision of the product, not those few installers and professionals. The recent comments in the forum indicate this attribute needs to be rectified.

However, I say again, I have often said it. Evohome works well, I don’t know of a better alternative and it is evident from this forum that the product is good but many fail when they install it or perhaps play with it too much. The fact that many have early teething troubles takes me back to point 2 above. A better manual should cure most issues. Mind you after 5 years I still find optimisation a waste of time for me!

Thank you,