With winter closing in fast, many peoples’ thoughts are turning towards making sure that they and their loved ones can ensure optimum comfort and warmth. Whereas previously home heating was often a complicated and messy affair, nowadays many families are availing of home programmable thermostats.
Capable of automatically regulating both temperature and timing, these devices banish the stress of keeping your family warm, and ensure that you’ll never come home to a cold house again.
So what should you be looking for when considering one of these products? And what is the best programmable thermostat on the market today? This piece will outline some of the leading products available to buy today, and evaluate them in simple, clear terms, allowing you to make the most informed decision possible.
Honeywell RTH 7600D
This devices features a seven day programmable function as well as a large, easy-to-use backlit touchscreen interface.
Honeywell RTH 7600D Touchscreen Programmable Thermostat
It is also compatible with a wide range of heating systems, and comes with very clear instructions for both installation and use. Its highly sophisticated sensors can detect the rate at which a house loses its heat, and adjusts the temperature controls accordingly.
If, for instance, you wish for your home to be properly heated at 6pm, the Honeywell will calculate when the heating needs to turn on in order to bring the house to the desired temperature for 6pm. All you need to do is set the time that you want, and the Honeywell will figure out the rest. The Honeywell falls a little above average in terms of price, but when you take its functionality and effectiveness into account, it makes for a very attractive package and a very strong all-round option.
Nest Learning Thermostat
The Nest Learning Thermostat is by far the most expensive item in this list. Does it warrant its higher price tag? Nest offers a host of additional features which certainly add to its value- this thermostat is WiFi-enabled, allowing you to control your home’s heating from any location via your smartphone, tablet or any other wireless device.
Nest Learning Thermostat – 2nd Generation T200577
The Nest is also a learning device, in the sense that it takes note of your usage, your preferences and your habits, constantly building a picture of how best to meet your needs. It’s sensors can even detect when there is nobody present in the house, and will act to save energy accordingly. Furthermore, the Nest keeps a detailed history of your energy usage, so you can see straight away how much you’re saving. While the device itself may be more expensive than some thermostats, the potential savings which you could make on your energy bills will ensure that it is paying for itself before long.
Lux Products TX 1500E
The Lux Smart Temp is a lower-priced, entry-level model, but one that at the same time performs to an admirable degree.
Lux Products TX1500E Smart Programmable Thermostat
It may lack the flashy features of some other products, but it still boasts several useful functions, including 4 daily settings, weekday/weekend settings, keypad security and temporary temperature override.
The device itself is also highly user-friendly, with simple controls and easy-to-follow directions. This particular model would be well suited for someone who was looking for a budget option, or who perhaps wanted an entry level device before upgrading down the line.
Hunter 44550
This 7 day programmable thermostat is a mid to low cost option that delivers quality results with minimum fuss. It features seasonal auto changeover function which alters the heating controls automatically to keep in tune with the seasonal weather shifts.
Hunter 44550 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, Auto Save
Additionally, it features a backlit control display, an energy output monitor and a one-touch override feature. The Hunter is an older style model, and may not be as aesthetically pleasing as some of the other devices on sale, but its durability on the market is a testament to its longevity and effectiveness. If you want something that will do the job without fuss and that won’t break the bank either, you could do a lot worse than to select this model.
These four models demonstrate the range of high quality products which are available on the market today, and should be able to show you which is the best programmable thermostat for your needs.