Mid-level programmable thermostat

[Tony Hwang]

Hi, Would like to replace existing non-programmable one. Experts, would you recommend mid-level programmable one? Just to control our gas furnace. Nothing too fancy. TIA, Tony

[andynewhouse]

Hi, Not an expert, just a programmable-thermostat user. My landlord recently bought and installed a "Lux" brand programmable, and it has worked about 99% of the time. It's the 1% that'll get you - a few times now it's "forgotten" to heat - the inside temp has gotten down to

55 or so. Once you manually bump the temp up a degree, it "remembers" and kicks on and then it's fine. This has only happened 2-3 times in the 6 months we've had it, but if I were buying one, I'd definitely look for a nicer one. I've heard Honeywell is a good brand, but you should wait for more opinions on that, or maybe look at Consumers Reports. Good luck (but no Lux), Andy

[David Martel]

Tony,

I'm happy with the Honeywell CT3200 for about $45 US. It works with 24 volt heating and cooling systems. Came with good instructions, was easy to install, is easy to use.

Dave M.

[trader4]

Guess it depends on definition of mid-level and what you are looking for. I just got a sweet deal on Ebay for the Honeywell touchscreen one, about $75. Boy is it nice! Fully programmable, can handle multiple stages, and super simple to program. If you want the same schedule for Tues - Fri, you just press Tues, Wd, Thur, Fri, check marks show up, then set the program, and voila! it's done! Also, it has vacation hold, which allows you to set a temporary temp that will be maintained for X number of days. I think that is such a great feature, that you would think almost all would have it. It allows you to go away for a week, set it way back and have the house at temp when you return.