October 2007
Important features Thermostats
Clear onscreen prompts and intuitive controls help avoid energy-wasting mistakes, as do large readouts for temperatures and times, and a bold "hold" prompt or light that reminds you when you're overriding the energy-saving mode for added comfort. A large backlighted display makes reading and programming easier in dark hallways and at night, while a clear system-status display shows whether the heat or A/C is activated. Models with auto changeover switch automatically between heating and cooling, handy where days are warm and nights get below freezing. More models are moving to touch screens that offer touch-sensitive menus and replace buttons or knobs. An adjustable cycle on most models lets you prevent frequent on-off cycling for heating and cooling systems, while advanced recovery initiates heating or cooling anytime during the energy-saving period so the comfort temperature is where you want it when you get home. A filter-change reminder tells you when the furnace or A/C filter needs changing based on elapsed time. Full memory save lets the thermometer save programs you create after a blackout. Most thermostats can handle most heat pumps, and a few can handle multistage versions.
Clear onscreen prompts and intuitive controls help avoid energy-wasting mistakes, as do large readouts for temperatures and times, and a bold "hold" prompt or light that reminds you when you're overriding the energy-saving mode for added comfort. A large backlighted display makes reading and programming easier in dark hallways and at night, while a clear system-status display shows whether the heat or A/C is activated. Models with auto changeover switch automatically between heating and cooling, handy where days are warm and nights get below freezing. More models are moving to touch screens that offer touch-sensitive menus and replace buttons or knobs. An adjustable cycle on most models lets you prevent frequent on-off cycling for heating and cooling systems, while advanced recovery initiates heating or cooling anytime during the energy-saving period so the comfort temperature is where you want it when you get home. A filter-change reminder tells you when the furnace or A/C filter needs changing based on elapsed time. Full memory save lets the thermometer save programs you create after a blackout. Most thermostats can handle most heat pumps, and a few can handle multistage versions.
