In embodiments of the disclosure, a distributed thermostat includes a controller unit that houses a controller operable to control operation of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The controller is further operable to receive environmental information from a sensor network that is distributed from the controller unit; receive user inputs from a user interface application that is distributed from the controller unit; and control the operation of the HVAC system based at least in part on the environmental information and the user inputs.