Holy sh!t, programable thermostats are cool!

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
A

acemcmac

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
13,712
1
0
Has anyone ever gotten a new thermostat before? Any suggestions or buying advice?

Update: Holy sh!t. That was the easiest home improvement project I've ever done. I got this one. The preconfigured settings made a lot of sense, but I told it not to drop off until 11:45 instead of 10pm for its overnight efficiency mode. Very very cool. Thanks for your help ATOT.
 
A

acemcmac

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
13,712
1
0
Originally posted by: djheater
ebay. just check amazon reviews...
Click to expand...

wow... they're 40% cheaper on amazon than at home depot... I don't know why this didn't already occur to me. Awesome!
 
J

j00fek

Diamond Member
Dec 19, 2005
8,099
1
0
Originally posted by: acemcmac
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=br_ss_hs/00...eywords=thermostat&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go

I'm searching from here...

Honestly, I don't even know what goes into the install process. I'm going to be working on the plaster immediatley around my existing, 40 year old thermostat and it just seemed like the logical thing to get a nicer one.... (reduce energy costs through better programming possibly?)
Click to expand...

im pretty sure its the same wire hookups as the older versions with the gauges readouts, dad just put one in, and it didnt seem like a whole lot to do. (he used all the same wires as the oldie before)
 
DougK62

DougK62

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2001
8,035
6
81
I can't believe people still have a non-programmable thermostat. It seems ridiculous. I love mine. (Lutron?)

 
Z

Zach

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
3,400
1
81
Bought mine at Lowes. Very happy with it. Paid more then the link, but never hered of the site. Just a Google result.
 
waggy

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: acemcmac
Originally posted by: djheater
ebay. just check amazon reviews...
Click to expand...

wow... they're 40% cheaper on amazon than at home depot... I don't know why this didn't already occur to me. Awesome!
Click to expand...

doh! i just baught one a while ago. i didnt think of amazon sigh.


but anyway i LOVE It. while they say it will reduce bills i have yet to notice this. but it is better then the rotery type i had. well worth the $50 i spent.
 
4

49erinnc

Platinum Member
Feb 10, 2004
2,095
0
0
FYI: Make sure you are aware of your heating system. If you have a heat pump system, the "cheap" programmable thermostats will not work. I learned this the hard way several years ago when I bought one on Ebay, only to realize it wouldn't work. If you have a heat pump, you'll probably find ones that work with your system for around $70-$100. It's a more complex unit, thus the price hike.
 
T

Thraxen

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
4,683
1
81
What qualifies as "programable"? Why do they do that an ordinary thermostat does not?
 
waggy

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: Thraxen
What qualifies as "programable"? Why do they do that an ordinary thermostat does not?
Click to expand...

a ordinary thermostat is set a fixed temp. With a programable one you can have it change throughout the day.

say you want the heat to kick on at 6am to 77. then at 8am when you leave for work drop down to 65. then at 5pm back up to 77. then back down when you go to bed. etc.

some will do a sat/sun program also.
 
T

Thraxen

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
4,683
1
81
I need one of those then. I think we recently got ripped off by our heat and air service man. We had to have it replaced and he put in a non-programmable thermostat and charged us like $300.
 
A

acemcmac

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
13,712
1
0
Originally posted by: 49erinnc
FYI: Make sure you are aware of your heating system. If you have a heat pump system, the "cheap" programmable thermostats will not work. I learned this the hard way several years ago when I bought one on Ebay, only to realize it wouldn't work. If you have a heat pump, you'll probably find ones that work with your system for around $70-$100. It's a more complex unit, thus the price hike.
Click to expand...

I have some kind of natural gas, blower system with these baseboard/radiator looking things on each of my exterior facing walls (townhouse). Do you have any idea what that's called or if I need to take special precautions for?
 
SagaLore

SagaLore

Elite Member
Dec 18, 2001
24,036
21
81
Originally posted by: Zach
Bought mine at Lowes. Very happy with it. Paid more then the link, but never hered of the site. Just a Google result.
Click to expand...

Yep, I have that one as well. Its very good. Whatever you do, don't get Honeywell!
 
C

chuckywang

Lifer
Jan 12, 2004
20,133
1
0
Originally posted by: acemcmac
Has anyone ever gotten a new thermostat before? Any suggestions or buying advice?
Click to expand...

Al Gore says it'll save you electricity and it'll help the environment. Go for it.
 
So

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
25,923
17
81
Originally posted by: chuckywang
Originally posted by: acemcmac
Has anyone ever gotten a new thermostat before? Any suggestions or buying advice?
Click to expand...

Al Gore says it'll save you electricity and it'll help the environment. Go for it.
Click to expand...

But will it protect me from Manbearpig?
 
waggy

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: chuckywang
Originally posted by: acemcmac
Has anyone ever gotten a new thermostat before? Any suggestions or buying advice?
Click to expand...

Al Gore says it'll save you electricity and it'll help the environment. Go for it.
Click to expand...

But will it protect me from Manbearpig?
Click to expand...

yes.

and im cereal
 
4

49erinnc

Platinum Member
Feb 10, 2004
2,095
0
0
Originally posted by: acemcmac
Originally posted by: 49erinnc
FYI: Make sure you are aware of your heating system. If you have a heat pump system, the "cheap" programmable thermostats will not work. I learned this the hard way several years ago when I bought one on Ebay, only to realize it wouldn't work. If you have a heat pump, you'll probably find ones that work with your system for around $70-$100. It's a more complex unit, thus the price hike.
Click to expand...

I have some kind of natural gas, blower system with these baseboard/radiator looking things on each of my exterior facing walls (townhouse). Do you have any idea what that's called or if I need to take special precautions for?
Click to expand...

Sounds like a standard system so you are probably fine with the basic programmables which can be had cheap. If you had a heat pump system, it would likely be mentioned on your current thermostat.

Also keep in mind that while programmable thermostats can be efficient, it isn't advised to have your system altering its temperature in extremes. So while you may think you're saving money by setting it at 75 degrees in the summer, while you're at work and have it cool down to 66 at 5pm, you're stressing the system by having it run for so long. You're better off finding a comfortable temperature and never touching your thermostat. The programmables do come in really handy if you're on the road a lot.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom