A programmable thermostat can be a 7-day model, in which you can have different temperature settings for each day. It can also be a 5+2 day model, in which temperature can be set separately for weekdays (from Monday to Friday) and weekends (Saturday and Sunday). It can also be a 5-1-1 model, in which you have one temperature setting for weekdays, another for Saturday, and a third one for Sunday. The RiteTemp 6080 and the Honeywell RTH7600D are programmable thermostats with a 7-day model. The Honeywell RTH230B has a 5+2 model. The RiteTemp 6022 and the Honeywell RTH6400D are 5-1-1 models. If price is not a factor, the best programmable thermostat is the 7-day model. Both the RiteTemp models are lockable, which means unauthorized persons cannot change the temperature, while the Honeywell models are not lockable. The Insteon 2491T1 allows the temperature to be changed by a remote control.
How a programmable thermostat works
With a programmable thermostat, you need to enter the start and end times of the period, and the thermostat automatically changes the temperature during the period. You can specify up to 4 periods per day, named ‘morning’, ‘day’, ‘evening’ and ‘night’.
The recommended temperature settings are between 70oF and 78oF, so that the occupiers of the house are comfortable. The temperature can exceed this range, when you’re outside the house or sleeping. The thermostat has a vacation feature which allows you to set a constant temperature in the house, when you are on a holiday. An adaptive recovery thermostat may start cooling or heating the house, so that the temperature is reached by the set time.
There are many factors that a programmable thermostat is designed to check for, before starting to heat or cool the house:
The temperature of the furniture.
The temperature of the wall, which depends on the construction of the building and the materials used.
The weather patterns during the summer, winter and other seasons.
A programmable thermostat may be digital or electromechanical. An electromechanical thermostat uses a dial or a slide to regulate the temperature. Some thermostats automatically compensate for daylight savings time. Keep the programmable thermostat away from direct sunlight, or other sources of light such as bright lamps or skylights. Don’t place it near doorways or windows, so as to keep it away from wind draft.
You may have more than one programmable thermostats in the house. The benefits of thermostats are most obvious in moderate climates than in extreme climates. A programmable thermostat should not be used with a heat pump.
You may need to call a HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) contractor to install your programmable thermostat. If you’re looking to install a new CAC (central air conditioning) system, you should install a programmable thermostat with it. If your old thermostat contains mercury, take extra care while uninstalling it.
Installing a programmable thermostat
The first step in installing a programmable thermostat is switching off the power. While removing the old, manual thermostat, make sure that the wires don’t go back into the wall. This can be done by wrapping the wires around a pencil. Next, drill holes in the wall for the anchors that came with the programmable thermostat.
Then, place the mounting plate of the programmable thermostat on the wall. Now, join the wires to the terminals. The new thermostat may have a configuration with two, three, four or five wires. Connect the red wire into the red nut, and the white wire into the white nut, and so on.
Then insert two double A batteries into the new thermostat, ensuring that the polarity is correct. Attach the new thermostat to the mounting plate. Press the reset button of the new thermostat to clear the program memory. Finally, turn on the power, and your new thermostat should function properly.
A programmable thermostat is an energy saving device that will help cut down on your energy use in the home, by reducing the difference between the outdoor and indoor temperatures. It will lower your energy bills, which is especially important with soaring energy prices. It also helps protect the environment, because it reduces the carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. When choosing a programmable thermostat, make sure that it has the Energy Star logo, so it contributes to making your home energy efficient.
When you compare programmable thermostats, you can choose one that does only heating or does both heating and cooling. Don’t forget to read reviews that mention whether the thermostat is easy or difficult to use, because the best programmable thermostat should have simple functionality.
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