Editing Introduction to a Self Managed Life: a 13 hour & 28 minute presentation by FUTO software (section)

== Step 4: Set Up the Venstar Thermostat so Home Assistant can see it ==

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==== 4.1. Connect the Venstar Thermostat to Wi-Fi ====

* On the thermostat, go to '''Wi-Fi Setup'''. The thermostat will display a list of available networks.
* Select your desired Wi-Fi network and enter the password if necessary.
* Once connected, make sure that the thermostat remains on the same network that your Home Assistant instance is on, or another network that can communicate with Home Assistant.

<blockquote>'''NOTE:''' Make sure you tap the right network; this garbage touchscreen makes it very easy to tap the wrong network &amp; not notice it. Whoever chose this touchscreen should be in the same prison with the engineers of the A1237/A1304 model MacBook Air from 2008.
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==== 4.2 Configure the Local API on the Thermostat ====

* On the thermostat, navigate to the '''Local API Options'''.
* Turn on '''Local API access''', which is necessary for Home Assistant to communicate with the thermostat.
* Set a username (e.g., second floor), and configure a Basic Auth password. You’ll need this information when adding the thermostat in Home Assistant.

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==== 4.3 Assign a Static IP to the Thermostat ====

* On the thermostat, navigate to '''Manual Setup &gt; Network Settings'''.
* Assign a static IP to the thermostat. This ensures that the IP address does not change, which is very important or you will find yourself freezing to death when you can’t turn off the A/C.

<blockquote>'''NOTE:''' Home assistant needs to know where to find the thermostat; at the same place, every single time. Anytime you attach an IoT device to your network, it is a good practice to give it a static IP. You will find out later in the “syncthing” section why expecting “auto locate” features to work proprerly is a bad idea. Summers are 117 degrees fahrenheit in Texas; I’m not trusting that to DHCP.
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* '''IP Address:''' 192.168.5.18 (or another appropriate IP in your network range)
* '''Gateway:''' 192.168.5.1 (typically your '''pfSense''' router’s IP)
* '''DNS Server:''' 192.168.5.1
* '''Subnet Mask:''' 255.255.255.0

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==== 4.4 Confirm the Settings ====

* After entering the network configuration, make sure that the thermostat is connected and reachable on your network.

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