Programmable Thermostat Buying Tips
Tip 1: What Kind of System Do You Have?
The first step when searching for the right programmable thermostat is knowing what kind of system you have. Do you have a single stage (gas/electric furnace and air conditioner); heat pump (with or without backup heat/cool); line voltage (electric baseboard, radiant heat); multi-stage (multiple sources of heating and/or cooling); heat only; or millivolt (heat only)? Once you establish this then you can narrow down your choices as to the thermostat that works with your specific system requirements.
Tip 2: Battery or Hardwired?
Are you looking for a thermostat that runs on batteries or one that is hardwired?
Tip 3: Features
Which programmable thermostat features are most important for you? Some of the most popular features of programmable thermostats are:
- Circulation fan mode - A thermostat with this feature operates your system fan in order to circulate and eliminate stagnant air.
- Automatic heat/cool switching - The thermostat can determine whether it should be in heating or cooling mode.
- Vacation hold - This feature helps to save energy (and your money!) while you're away, and it can bring your house back to normal temperature when you return.
- Touchscreen - Touchscreen thermostats are the modern and cool choice when it comes to thermostats; They make operation very simple.
- Set point limiting - This creates limits to keep the allowable temperature within a certain range.
- Backlight - A backlight makes it easy to change your thermostat in the dark.
- Keypad lockout - Permits only the people you allow to change the thermostat settings.
Tip 4: Which Model
Programmable thermostats come in various models which work according to your specific programming needs. Read more detailed descriptions of the most popular programmable thermostats models including: the 7-day models, the 5 + 2 day models and the 5-1-1 day models.
Tip 5: Go for the Brand
Some of the best programmable thermostats are made by the leaders in programmable thermostats. It's worth it to check into one of the following companies, as they typically offer the best products and prices:
