Our thermostat for the heating/ac unit needs replacing. Which kind provides most reliable service and best value in your opinion? Thanx.
- posted
15 years ago
Our thermostat for the heating/ac unit needs replacing. Which kind provides most reliable service and best value in your opinion? Thanx.
Honeywell programmable for about $45 to $65.
I'd also buy a White Rogers and I'd avoid Lux or other cheap brands.
I'm a big fan of White Rogers. IMO they're very durable,less complicated then Honeywell, and considerably cheaper. Honeywell is my second choice, then Robertshaw
Ours is made by Carrier.
It is a automatic one which we bought 3 years ago.
We are very pleased with it.
shirleyann
Check Consumer Reports. I have a programmable Honeywell. I prefer the type that can be set different for each day of the week.
Honeywell Vision Pro series.
Hmmm, Probably made by Honeywell or White Rogers and rebadged.
I can't comment on the other brands, but I have three LUX programable units that have failed this season. The failure mechanism is a design error/cost reduction choice, so I'd expect that they all will fail in time.
I'm following this thread closely since I now need three new (reliable) thermostats.
Boden
Yes, I second that. One feature I like is they have adaptive recovery. When you have the temp lowered overnight, and you want it to be 70 again at say 7AM, you just set it for that. Over a few days, the thermostat learns at what earlier time it needs to actually raise the temp so it reaches 70 at 7AM. It also has vacation hold, which will keep a hold on a temp for X number of days. Also has many other programable options, compatibility with many type systems, etc.
I have used Hunter, White-Rodgers, and LUX. They all worked without problem, but the old Hunter (I think thats the name) was a chore to program, but did give most options like recording on time and filter change. The White-Rodgers does give many options, and does not give a broad range of temperature differentials. I don't know if its smart like some of the Honneywells with Fuzzy logic. My main problem, none of the ones I have had has a light that STAYS ON. What a pain.
greg
NOT give many
One feature the old Hunter had was it ran off the furnace power and had battery BACKUP. But, I found I still had to change the battery often, so that feature is not required. I find the White_Rodgers runs a LONG time with the batteries driving a relay output. Amazing. Units that don't have a relay are more likely to get zapped by power line and furnace voltage noise.
greg
Most reliable, best value, the old round Honywell, but not If you need set backs and all the features.
I must have about 6 I took out. The main thing I see is they have a wide temperature control span. I don't see any of the electronic types have a fail safe in case they fail to turn off the furnace.
grge
Hi, Not really, unless hit by a direct lightning strike or such protection is built into the circuitry. I use Vision Pro 8000 series every where and a wireless one as well. Batteries last ~2 years and it comes in several models to take care of diffrent system. Like 1 heat/1 cool or multi stage heat/cool systems. Better pick a proper model for the system you have. Lux and Hunter is garbage. Just open up and look at the build quality. Most relays now is S.S. type. Having a display stay on is an option too. Then batteries won't last long.
Hi, They are analog and can't match the precision of digital based on ASIC and microprocessor.
case they fail
I use one of those on my garage heater because it is the only thermostat that can be set to 40F on the market (thats affordable).
True, nothing is more reliable, but for inside the house I really am liking the setback features of a digital.
they fail
Hi, Fail safe? It's built inside the furnace. Thermostat does not need that.
Hi, Spend some money and get Vision Pro 8000 touch screen model. In some cases it may be over kill but simple and easy arm chair programming and it will handle any system(gas, electric, heat pump, multi stage). My house, cabin, condo and friends, relatives use them per my recommendation. So far none failed. Every one is happy with it. Just pick the right model(there are 3) for your needs. As a Honeywell retiree I may be biased, LOL.
Precision, accuracy yes, but on comfort im comfortable, I adjusted the anticipator. He did ask for reliable-cheap, there is good reason Honywell still makes and sells them. When lightning hit us the digital was fried and the round honywell survived, and battery replacing can be put off unitl it dies as I just did. My Lux I wouldnt trust as its failed to shut off once, a remote Honeywell would be real nice. I wonder if they have one you could call on the phone for remote changing of temp. What happens on a battery digital unit if the battery fails while its calling for heat, that worries me.
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