Connecting Z-Wave Home Automation Thermostat to our Jotul Sebago Free Standing Gas Fireplace

Connecting Z-Wave Home Automation Thermostat to our Jotul Sebago Free Standing Gas Fireplace

Cliff added the gas fireplace to the app on my phone.

When we lived at the log cabin, Cliff put cameras, locks and our thermostat on Nexia’s home automation system.

The Nexia app runs the Trane heat pump at the cabin, but the fireplaces there were on separate thermostats.

We can control our fireplace with our phone.
We can control our fireplace with our phone.

We put the new house on a Nexia Bridge and control cameras, lights and the heat pump here. Now, Cliff added the new fireplace to the Nexia app.

Project: Keyless Door Locks
How to set up Home Automation with the Nexia Bridge

The Jotul Gas Fireplace has an on/off switch on it. The Installation and Operation Instructions tell how to connect a wall thermostat or a remote control.

Optional Wall Thermostat or Remote Control

Use only a 750 millivolt DC two-wire circuit thermostat with this appliance. The thermostat should be placed in the same room as the heater, typically 5 feet off the floor. Avoid drafty areas or any area that may affect the accuracy of the thermostat.

The thermostat should be connected to this appliance using a minimum of 16 gauge wire with a maximum length of 25 feet of wire.

Accessory wiring diagram
Accessory wiring diagram

Connect the two thermostat wire leads to the two lower terminals on the terminal block located directly above the ignitor button. Do not overtighten the connections.

IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO DISCONNECT ANY OTHER WIRES.

For thermostatic operation, the On/Off/T-Stat switch on the back of the stove must be in the T-stat position, and the pilot light must be running, as it is the power source for the thermostat.

At the thermostat, the two wires should be connected to the two connection screws on the thermostat base plate per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Remote Control

When using a remote, the remote receiver should be wired to the terminal block the same way the thermostat would be. See the instructions above. Follow the operating instructions included with the Remote Control unit.

Millivolt Thermostat

It says to “Use only a 750 millivolt DC two-wire circuit thermostat with this appliance.”

Millivolt thermostats are used to regulate millivolt heating systems, which are different from the popular low voltage systems and the electric powered line voltage systems. A millivolt heating system is usually a floor heater or a wall heater that doesn’t use electricity; for example a gas fireplace or a gas powered wall heater. Millivolt systems are regulated using thermostats specifically designed for the system, commonly known as ‘millivolt thermostats’.

thermostatguide.com/millivolt-thermostats/

The article says “millivolt systems are found only in older constructions” and “you won’t find WiFi enabled smart thermostats compatible for millivolt systems.”

But we just built this house and I can control this fireplace with my phone, so what did Cliff do?

Trane TZEMT400BB3NX N N SL Home Energy Management Thermostat with Nexia Home Intelligence
Trane TZEMT400 Home Energy Management Thermostat with Nexia Home Intelligence

He already had a TZEMT400 Z-Wave Thermostat.

The terminal block is easy to reach from the front of the fireplace right behind the little door
The terminal block is easy to reach from the front of the fireplace right behind the little door

He connected it to the fireplace with the wire recommended. (He troubleshoots for Allegion Schlage. More often than not the reason something doesn’t work is wiring.)

Terminal Block
Terminal Block

Connect the two thermostat wire leads to the two lower terminals on the terminal block located directly above the ignitor button.

He attached the wires from the thermostat to the screws on the terminal block.

24VAC plug-in transformer to power the thermostat
24VAC plug-in transformer to power the thermostat

He added a small 24VAC wall transformer to power it. Like the plug for a cordless phone. There is an outlet behind the mantel.

Temporary Easel
Temporary Easel

We have not attached it to the wall yet. He has it temporarily supported by a bent up piece of vinyl siding.

I can walk over to the thermostat and turn it on. Or I can use my phone. With the App, I can turn off the heat pump so that I can run the fireplace. I love it!

The TZEMT400 Z-Wave Thermostat has been discontinued. The model that replaces it is the Trane XR524 Z-Wave Smart Thermostat. It has a touchscreen.

Hmmm. The new one “Works with Amazon Alexa for voice control.” I wonder if ours can.

Yes! Yes it does! I just said Alexa, turn fireplace to 75. And she did! (And I told her to turn it back off and she did that, too because it is already too warm in here from playing with the fireplace all morning.)