Thermostat Question

[olds]

Curious about something.

My thermostat has the following settings:
A/C
Heat
Fan

If I want heat, I set it to Heat, A/C, set it to A/C. So if I set my A/C to 72 and at night it drops to 50, the heat never comes on.

Are there thermostats that you can set a range and they go back and forth between heat and a/c automatically?

 

[Gillbot]

Look for automatic changeover, many modern ones have this feature.

 

[NutBucket]

Yes, the Nest definitely does this.

 

[boomerang]

How much do you want to spend Olds? You could get what you need for well under $50.

First one I ran across.

http://www.honeywellstore.com/store...h5100b-deluxe-non-programmable-thermostat.htm

Shop around for price. You can set this one to Auto and it will changeover automatically. No set back functions on it which makes it simple to operate. The older I get, the more I'm appreciating simplicity.

 

[MongGrel]

I need to get one like that myself, surprised mine won't do it as it's pretty new.

Have similar thing here, sometimes it varies on the line where I like it day and night.

Added to my wish list, this one boomerang put up there the cheapest I see.

http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-RTH5...ble+Thermostat

That and I used to work for Honeywell in aerospace and have a lot of stock there.



They do make some of the best sensor stuff in the world.

 

[olds]

Thanks.
My current thermostat is programmable but it won't switch functions.

 

[nickbits]

Mine has that and it isn't too fancy. Basic 7 day programmable. The cheaper 5-2 programmable one I had couldn't do that. You want one with an"auto" mode.

 

[NoTine42]

One came with my Carrier heat pump. I never used it like that because you need to set a min 4 or 6 degree range (ie 76 for AC and 72 for heat and I preferred closer temperatures)
And then On a nice summer evening, you want windows open without the heat kicking in...

I think the "killer" thermostat feature would be "open window/door" sensing override.

 

[Micrornd]

Thanks.
My current thermostat is programmable but it won't switch functions.

Did you install it or a contractor?

When my HVAC contractor install my new system they installed a large number Honeywell T'stat and didn't leave the instruction manual.
It operated just like yours.

I downloaded the setup/owner's manual from the Honeywell site and found out the T'stat had many programmable functions that weren't set up or were left at default values, which I then set up correctly!
One of those functions which was not turned on was the auto-changeover from heat to air and vice-versa.

So now it can make the switchover with as little as a 3degree difference (or as much as I want) automatically.

So if you have or intend to buy a Honeywell, download the setup/owner's manual from their site and see what the T'stat can do, as all the functions are not always in the ads or obvious!
And the extent of programmability isn't always obvious or stated either!

 

[Gillbot]

Many programmable a have this feature, what model do you have now?

 

[olds]

The thermostat was in the place when we bought it.
http://www.patriot-supply.com/products/showitem.cfm/WHITE_RODGERS_1F81_261

 

[Gillbot]

Ahh, older white Rodgers. I had a Honeywell but I think I shipped it to sunnyd, maybe message him and see because I don't think he used it.

 

[Scarpozzi]

The Honeywell models that do this will go between heating and cooling. They actually set 2 temp thresholds to do this....you set a high number like 76 and a low number like 68. If the temp goes above the high number, it will trigger cooling....below the low number triggers heat.

I never liked this because seasons and outdoor temps change what I consider comfortable. The varience required to make that system efficient sacrifices comfort in my not-so-efficiently insulated house.

 

[MongGrel]

One came with my Carrier heat pump. I never used it like that because you need to set a min 4 or 6 degree range (ie 76 for AC and 72 for heat and I preferred closer temperatures)
And then On a nice summer evening, you want windows open without the heat kicking in...

I think the "killer" thermostat feature would be "open window/door" sensing override.

You can always just turn the thing off with the windows open, ya know

 

[boomerang]

You can always just turn the thing off with the windows open, ya know

Yeah, I was thinking if you got up to open the window... Although I do come home from time to time to find that my wife has got the slider wide open and the air is on. Maybe he's on to something.

 

[NutBucket]

I was thinking that too. Would be great if it could tie into the house alarm. My alarm supports zwave so you'd think it would be possible.