Review on Enhance Your Smart Home with Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat - Alexa Compatible, Energy Star Certified by Tony Buckley

I really like the idea of smart home products. Unfortunately, I had so many problems connecting this thermostat to my wifi that I was forced to use it as a dumb device. First, let me say that I've been in IT for about 10 years, designing, configuring, and installing wireless networks on a daily basis. So I feel like I have some knowledge in this area. I currently have a pair of TP-Link Smart Plugs and an Orbit Smart Sprinkler Controller that connect to my wireless network with no problem. This thermostat is an exception and I wasted several hours contacting Emerson support multiple times to wire it up. Finally being able to connect the thermostat to my network was luckier than anything. I did nothing other than my several dozen other attempts. It was just that it worked back then. Everything was great for about 2 weeks until the battery indicator changed from fully charged in the morning to almost completely empty in the afternoon and the WLAN was switched off. After changing the battery I returned to my original problem when trying to connect the device to my network. At this point I'm not sure I have the courage to spend hours trying to reconnect. Based on the many positive reviews on this device, I'm wondering if I have a bad block or if there's something specific on my network that it doesn't like. As a dumb thermostat it works well and the $75 rebate from my local utility meant I got a pretty good deal, but I wouldn't recommend this unit to friends or family. At least for a different reason than me, when they can't connect, they call for help.