Thermostat Buying Guide

1. Determine the type of heating system in your home.

There are four main types of home heating system: single-stage, multi-stage, heat pump, and line voltage.

After determining what type of heating system you're working with, you can start making choices based on the thermostats available for your heating and cooling system. Each home heating system has many different thermostat brands and models that are specifically designed to work with them.

2. Choose between a mechanical thermostat or digital thermostat.

Thermostats are broadly classified as mechanical or digital. The decision depends on the technical capabilities of your home's heating system and individual preference.

Mechanical thermostats are straightforward, old-fashioned, and inexpensive. The user controls the temperature by manually adjusting a dial or lever. There are typically switches to choose Heat, Cool, or Off and to turn on the fan. Mechanical thermostats are usually found in older houses, they offer less temperature control then their digital counterpoints.

Digital thermostats offer much more temperature by using sensors to recognize ambient temperature and then signaling the heater or air conditioner. The user sets the thermostat to their desired temperature. Then the heating and cooling system automatically maintains that temperature with precise accuracy. Digital thermostats have a digital display and push-button interface; only digital thermostat models are programmable.

3. Choose between a programmable or non-programmable digital thermostat.

Mechanical thermostats are non-programmable by default, they don't have micro-computer capabilities and operation is machine-driven.

A non-programmable digital thermostat is best if you're looking for simple operation or seldom use your heater or AC. Just set the digital temperature on the thermostat, and the heating and cooling system will bring your home to that temperature.

Programmable digital thermostats allow you to pre-program temperatures for specific days and times. This style is ideal for those who have a busy schedule or want a low maintenance option. Programmable thermostats are popular in varied climates where homeowners experience high temperatures during the day and relatively low temperatures at night. Careful programming can ensure that energy won't be wasted, by shutting down heating and cooling systems when the house is empty.

4. Choose a program type for your programmable digital thermostat.

There are four main types of programmable thermostat models:

• 5-2 day: Separate programming for the weekdays and weekend
• 5-1-1 day: Separate programming for the weekdays, Saturday, and Sunday
• 7 day: Separate programming for each day of the week
• 24 hour: Separate programming for different periods of each day

5. Thermostat Category Breakdown

1. Determine Your Home Heating System
1. Single-Stage
2. Multi-Stage
3. Heat Pump
4. Line Voltage
2. Choose Between Mechanical or Digital Thermostat
   1. Mechanical Thermostat
   2. Digital Thermostat
   1. Non programmable Digital Thermostat
   2. Programmable Digital Thermostat
   1. 5-2 Day Programmable
   2. 5-1-1 Day Programmable
   3. 7 Day Programmable
   4. 24 Hour Programmable

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