Go Green With the Best Programmable Thermostats
This article was provided to TechNewsDaily by our sister site, TopTenREVIEWS.
There are many ways to increase the energy efficiency of a home, and regulating the heating and cooling with a programmable thermostat is one of them. TopTenREVIEWS has evaluated the best programmable thermostats on the market. Top-ranking programmable thermostats don't only help the environment, but they help your pocket book by saving you money on energy costs each year.
"Programmable thermostats are very effective tools to defend your bank account against ridiculous utility bills," said Lecia Monsen, Managing Editor of TopTenREVIEWS. "Scheduling when to heat or cool your home is environmentally friendly, saves you money and is easy to do."
The Top 3:
1. Nest: Claiming the top-ranked spot, the Nest programmable thermostat shot to the top due to its sleek design, simplistic interface and self-programming ability. The Nest learns its user's temperature lifestyle after just a week and can then program itself. The Nest is also controllable from a mobile app, tablet or computer.
2. Honeywell Prestige HD: Landing the second spot on the review, the Honeywell Prestige HD thermostat boasts the highest estimated energy savings of the top contenders in the review. Its 8-inch touchscreen is easy to use, navigate and program. Advanced features, such as the dehumidification and ventilation controls, give this Honeywell an edge over the competition.
3. Hunter Max Touchscreen: The Hunter Max Touchscreen programmable thermostat earns the third spot on the review for its ability to save homeowners money each month with just the push of a button. Users are advised of the best settings for energy savings right on the thermostat's display. It also flaunts a 9.7-inch touchscreen and an easy-to-use interface with large icons.
[Complete Programmable Thermostats Review]
What Makes Top-Notch Programmable Thermostats?
Programming a programmable thermostat should not be rocket science. The best programmable thermostats should be simple to operate and should come with a number of advanced features and customizations. TopTenREVIEWS evaluated each thermostat on the following four standards:
Scheduling & Programming: A top-ranking programmable thermostat should be able to schedule a variety of preferred temperatures based on several weekly or daily programs, such as a seven-day schedule or a weekday and weekend program.
Design: The best programmable thermostats have a sleek, modern look and are easily integrated into most home designs. Top-ranking thermostats have a touchscreen display.
Features: The most impressive programmable thermostats come equipped with advanced features, including multiple heating and cooling stages, vacation features, a clock, a humidity sensor, an outside temperature display, and compatibility with a mobile app and Wi-Fi, to name a few.
Warranty & Support: The best thermostats are backed by a hefty warranty. Manufacturers should offer FAQs, online support forums, and installation documents and other helps on their websites. Videos are especially important if it's a system you install yourself.
Programmable thermostats keep homes at a consistently comfortable temperature. Plus they can make heating and cooling systems more energy efficient and save homeowners quite a few Benjamin's each year.
