Thermostat Ratings, A Repairman Ranks The Brands...

With our thermostat ratings you can cut through all the sales hype and find value. We have examined the manufacturers' literature and by using our hvac service experience have provided our unique system of ratings. It truly is like taking a repairman with you while you shop!

Our first set of thermostat rankings are for low voltage (24 volt) hvac systems. We separated them into four categories. The first group is basic thermostats. These are the least expensive but they have the least amount of features. They are digital units. The second category is premium thermostats. They are programmable and cost a bit more. The third group we call ultimate thermostats. They have advanced control features but are usually the most expensive. The final group is for wireless units.

For your convenience, we have included the web address of the manufacturers as well as our comments concerning the advantages/disadvantages of their products.

BRAND-------------BASIC---PREMIUM---ULTIMATE---WIRELESS

AMERICAN STANDARD---5*------5*---------5*--------NA The 400 family of units are non programmable but have an energy saving mode. The 900 family of units includes "acculink" for system optimization. (americanstandard.com)

APRILAIRE-----------3*------5*---------NA--------NA (aprilaire.com)

AUBE----------------3*------3*---------3*--------NA This company is owned by HONEYWELL. The professional series has many models available. The heat pump models have built in balance point control. (aubetech.com)

BRYANT--------------2*------2*---------5*--------5* The "Evolution Control" is a state of the art communicating control. (bryant.com)

CARRIER-------------2*------2*---------5*--------5* The Infinity control system is state of the art with a strong warranty. The "edge series" units are ultra slim for better looks on the wall.

CLAIRION------------NA------4*---------NA--------NA This brand has a "SAVE" display that indicates the expected energy savings for the selected program. The unit has filter and energy use counters. (clairion.com)

CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY--4*------4*---------4*--------NA This company is owned by Hunter Fan Company. The basic model (43054) has built in freeze protection. The ultimate model (43855) has touchscreen control. (climatetechnologyproducts.com)

CLIMATOUCH----------NA------NA---------3*--------NA (aed.net/climatouch)

ComfortStar---------5*------5*---------NA--------NA This brand offers a programmable/non-programmable unit with touchscreen control. It can be programmed without being mounted on the wall (armchair programming). It has service reminders for your air filter, batteries, humidifier, and uv light bulb. It can be used with remote indoor and outdoor temperature sensors. It has a very good warranty. (comfortstarusa.com)

CONTROL 4-----------NA------NA---------NA--------1* This unit must be a part of a complete home automation system. (control4.com)

HONEYWELL-----------2*------2*---------2*--------NA The digital round thermostats (model ct8775) are a good replacement for the traditional round thermostat. The ultimate model (VisionPro IAQ) must have a separate control installed on the hvac equipment. (yourhome.honeywell.com)

HUNTER--------------2*------2*---------NA--------NA The basic model (Just Right model) can be purchased with an infrared remote. The warranty on these units is just not very good. (hunterfan.com)

Jablotron-----------NA------NA---------NA--------2* This brand is for heat only. It has auto freeze protection. It is only available in Europe and Asia. (jablotron.cz)

LENNOX--------------3*------3*---------5*--------NA The warranty on the Comfortsense 3000 series is not too good. The ultimate unit (7000 series) is a touchscreen unit with customizable maintenance reminders. (lennox.com)

LUX-----------------2*------2*---------NA--------NA (luxproducts.com)

RITETEMP------------4*------5*---------5*--------NA The ultimate unit (model 6080) is a touchscreen unit. The model 6036 is a flush mount unit for better looks on the wall. (ritetemp-thermostats.com)

ROBERTSHAW----------5*-------5*--------5*---------NA This brand has a wide selection of units backed by a strong warranty. (robertshawtstats.com)

THERMO PRIDE--------NA-------1*--------NA---------NA (thermopride.com)

TRANE---------------5*-------5*--------5*---------NA The XL900 series is a communicating thermostat. It has a built in outdoor temperature sensor. The unit can be remotely accessed with an optional phone module. (trane.com)

VENSTAR-------------2*-------2*--------1*---------4* This brand has slimline and "small footprint" units for better looks on the wall. The ultimate model requires optional accessory modules for humidity control. (venstar.com)

WHITE RODGERS-------5*-------5*--------5*---------NA This brand has a wide range of models available backed by a strong warranty. The model 1F95-1277 is a unit that can be used for most applications and is a touchscreen model. (white-rodgers.com)

WISTAT--------------NA-------NA--------NA---------3* This unit automatically changes from heating to cooling mode. (wisuite.com)

XENON---------------NA-------1*--------NA---------NA This brand is available in only one model. It is a "talking thermostat". it will give you voice prompts in programming which makes it very easy to program. It also has auto freeze protection. (xenonac.com)

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BRAND--------WEB ADDRESS--------RATING

AUBE---------aubetech.com--------4* These units use triac control for accuracy. They are available in programmable as well as non programmable units. The TH114 series is for in-floor electric heat and has a GFCI included.

HONEYWELL-yourhome.honeywell.com-3* The RLV 430A model is 5+2 programmable and rated for 240 volts.

LUX----------luxproducts.com-----3* The ELV1 series units are 5+2 programmable.

STELPRO------stelpro.com---------This brand has the best warranty in the industry.

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