Which Value To Use

[racerfern]

OK, I think I'm covered on all possibilities by using Operating Status. Thanks for all the input.

[shill]

I don't understand this. I don't set system mode for my thermostat, it changes whenever the system changes mode. I just tested this by changing the mode on the thermostat and the plugin updated to show this change.

Yep, that's correct. System Mode reflects what mode you've requested (regardless of where you set it, via the plugin or manually at the thermostat, having them be in sync is the point of the plugin).

Operating status tells you whether it's doing something or it's idle.

Operating Mode tells you WHAT it's doing, which is really only relevant for a system mode of auto, since you wouldn't know whether it was asking for heat or cooling otherwise.