A mobile communications device for controlling a thermal appliance is described. The device includes a first communications interface configured to communicate over a wireless local area network and a second communications interface configured to communicate over a wide area network. A processor is coupled to the communications interfaces and configured to send commands to control, and to receive information relating to, operation of the thermal appliance. A user interface for obtaining user input to control the thermal appliance and for providing information relating to operation of the thermal appliance is included. The processor is configured to: monitor connection of the first communication interface with the wireless local area network, determine whether to trigger an alert in response to loss of connection, and to send a command, based on user input provided in response to a triggered alert, to the thermal appliance via the second communications interface.