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What Flair devices do I need?

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Flair Bridge

The Flair Bridge is the hub of your Flair system. Most homes need one:

  • You have Flair Smart Vents: you need a Flair Bridge or Bridge Pro. Smart Vents do not connect to WiFi themselves.
  • You have only Puck 2s, each running in Solo mode: you do not need a Bridge. A Puck 2 in Solo mode joins your 2.4 GHz WiFi on its own and controls the unit in its own room.
  • You want a Puck 2 to run on batteries, with no cable: you need a Bridge or Bridge Pro. A Puck 2 in Solo mode must stay plugged in with a USB-C cable.

The Bridge plugs into power and connects to your home network over Ethernet or WiFi. It talks to Flair Pucks and Smart Vents over Flair's own 915 MHz long-range, low-power radio, rather than over WiFi. The Bridge comes with an Ethernet cable, a USB-C cable, and a power adapter.

A Puck 2 cannot act as the hub. Gateway mode is a first-generation Puck feature only, and a Puck 2 cannot be converted into a Gateway Puck. Homes already running a first-generation Gateway Puck continue to work, but for any new or expanded system the hub is a Bridge or Bridge Pro.

More info at "Do I need a Bridge?"

Central Systems

Each room with Smart Vents needs a Puck or integrated remote sensor so Flair can keep track of temperature changes in the room. Smart Vents always need a Bridge or Bridge Pro as the hub.

For Flair homes not using an integrated smart thermostat, Flair Pucks are used as temperature sensors.

For Flair homes using an integrated ecobee, Sensi, or Honeywell T9, T10, or X-Series smart thermostat, Flair can read the temperature from the thermostat and its room sensors, and you may use those room sensors instead of a Puck.  For a complete list of Smart Thermostat's that can be integrated and compatible room sensors review "What smart thermostats and room sensors are supported?"

For Flair homes with an integrated Google Nest smart thermostat, Flair can read the temperature from the thermostat itself, but you must use Flair Pucks to read the temperature in rooms with Smart Vents. Google Nest does not allow third-party access to its room sensor data, so Nest room sensors cannot be used with Flair. If Google opens up its room sensor data, Flair will implement support for using Nest room sensors.

Mini Splits, Window Units, and Portables

You'll need one Flair Puck per mini split indoor head unit, window unit, or portable unit.

You have two options for how those Pucks connect:

  • With a Bridge or Bridge Pro: the Pucks reach the system through the Bridge. This is the right choice if you also have Smart Vents, or if you want any Puck 2 to run on batteries.
  • Without a Bridge: each Puck 2 runs in Solo mode, controlling only the unit in its own room. Solo mode Pucks must be plugged in with a USB-C cable, and they do not provide connectivity for any other Flair device.

Solo mode is a Puck 2 feature. First-generation Pucks connect through a Bridge or through an existing first generation Gateway Pucks.  First generation Pucks configured as Gateways can not serve as a hub for Puck 2s.

Ducted Mini Split Systems

This requires purchasing a wall-mounted IR receiver (check with your mini split manufacturer). Replace the thermostat with the wall-mounted receiver and use a Puck to control the receiver. That Puck needs a Bridge or Bridge Pro as its hub, unless it is a Puck 2 running in Solo mode.

If your ducted system uses vents in a size we carry, you can optionally replace your vents with Smart Vents and use a Puck in each room to read the temperature. Smart Vents require a Bridge or Bridge Pro, so that is the hub for this setup.

Large Systems

The more devices a home has, the more the hub matters. For homes with many Smart Vents and Pucks — or anything spread across several floors or a large footprint — use a Bridge or Bridge Pro rather than relying on an existing first-generation Gateway Puck. The Bridge has longer radio range and supports more devices than a Gateway Puck can.  You can also add additional Bridges for large Smart Vent systems to extend range if needed.

If you are not sure what your home needs, the System Builder will work it out from your HVAC setup and room count.