5 Best 2-Wire Thermostats Reviews (Digital, Programmable & Non)
A thermostat is a device which allows you to control the temperature of your home through a user-friendly interface. It measures room temperature and then it balances the work of heating and cooling equipment until the temperature reaches desired values, and when they’re reached it turns it off. There are many kinds of thermostats, but most basic ones are 2-wire thermostats.
Two-wire thermostat is the easiest set up for the heating system, and it’s only ability is to heat the space, it’s not able to cool it down. If you want to control the AC device, humidifiers, fan, you need more wires. Heat only thermostats have just two wires, mostly white for heating and red for power. When this kind of thermostat measures that the temperature is bellow set values it will bring these two wires together to turn on the furnace, and once the temperature is back to set values, it will disconnect them and turn the furnace off.
You don’t need more than a 2-wire thermostat if you don’t have a central air conditioner system, humidifiers or dehumidifiers, fan, etc. Instead of just switching furnace off/on thermostat gives you the option of adjusting your temperature. The use of the thermostat will not only provide you with comfort but it will help you save on energy bills.
This article is for the ones who are looking for the good, simple, reliable and easy-to-use thermostat, and we will give you the reviews on the best 2-wire thermostats on the market right now. We hope the article will help you decide which thermostat to buy.
Top Five 2-wire Thermostat Models
Honeywell TH1100DV1000 Digital 2-Wire Heat Only
This heat only thermostat and requires 2 AAA batteries to power it. The dimensions of the device are 6” x 5” x 4” and it has a simple design with a small backlit digital display that shows current room temperature and heat status, you can see set temperature values if you access the user interface. The front panel is made from white plastic and it has only two buttons with arrows “up” and “down”. You can set the thermostat on any temperature from 40 to 90 ℉ and it will keep it with accuracy. It is easier to set up the temperature more accurately with arrows than turning or sliding a switch.
The installation is simple, you just have to connect 2 wires, red and white to the thermostat, screw the back plate to the wall and attach thermostat with batteries. Installation and programming manuals are available online. This is a great thermostat for RVs, it also works with hot water baseboard heating systems. Battery indicator is also show on the display, and it’s recommended to change them once a year, but if you don’t want to think about batteries you can connect it with C-wire. Good and reliable heat only 2-wire thermostat for not a lot of money.
Features:
2 AAA batteries
Dimensions are 6” x 5” x 4”
Backlit digital display show current temperature and battery indicator
Great for RVs
Works with temperatures from 40 to 90 ℉
Emerson 1E78-140 Non-Programmable Heat Only Thermostat
This Emerson heat only 2-wire thermostat is compatible with most single-stage heat only systems and it is used on millivolt and 24 volt systems, but it is not compatible with electric baseboard heat. It requires 2 AA batteries in order for it to work and they are included with the thermostat. This non-programmable thermostat has an easy-to-read digital display with backlight that indicates current and set room temperature values and battery indicator. It can control the temperature with the precision of +/- 1 ℉. The front panel has a vertical profile, it is made from plastic and it has two arrows for adjusting the temperature and on/off switch.
Installation is really as simple as it gets, you have to screw the thermostat to the wall, but keep the old back plate, and connect two wires, red and white. The display doesn’t light immediately when it’s sent from the factory so you have to put it in Heat mode and press both arrows at the same time, choose ON and then to lock the settings you just have to turn the thermostat off. From now on display should light shortly when you press any button. This is non-programmable thermostat so it will start monitoring your room temperature as soon as you put the batteries in.
Features:
Needs 2 AA batteries (included)
Dimensions are 1.75” x 6.25” x 4.25”
Set point temperature range is from 45 ℉ to 90 ℉
Non-programmable 2-wire thermostat
Battery life indicator
LuxPro Digital 2 Wire Heat Only Thermostat – PSD010B
This LuxPro heat only 2-wire thermostat is compatible with 24 V heat system, heat hydronic systems (hot water, radiator and baseboard), millivolt systems and 1 stage heat systems with no fan. It’s not compatible with line voltage systems, 3 wire hydronic systems, heat pumps and cooling systems. This thermostat is great for stoves, fireplaces and in-floor radiant heating system. It needs batteries as a power source.
Dimensions of the product are 3.5” x 5.125” x 1.125” and it has a vertical slim profile. It is made from white plastic with temperature adjustment arrows on the front panel and on/off switch on the side. PSD010B has a big digital display that shows current room temperature, and you can choose between Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scale. To see set temperature values you have to press up arrow, and also fire logo will show on the display if the thermostat is heating right now. If you are using it for fireplaces, on/off switch is a good thing because there is no fear in fireplace turning on by accident. Installation is effortless, it consists of connecting two wires and installing some screws in the wall, even wall back plate is available if needed.
Features:
Needs batteries
Vertical profile, dimensions are 3.5” x 5.125” x 1.125”
Durable and easy-to-use
Non-programmable
℉ and °C temperature scale
Honeywell CT30A1005 CT30A Thermostat
This Honeywell model is heat only manual non-programmable thermostat is like the ones that have been used for over 50 years. This non-digital thermostat allows you the straightforward control of your temperature efficiently and effortless. This one has low voltage controls with a snap-action switch for heating systems. This thermostat will not work with electric baseboard heat, multistage heating/cooling systems and heat pumps. It is mercury free and it uses a bimetal temperature sensor for greater temperature accuracy. The installation is simple, manual and hardware for installation with wall back plate are included.
Dimensions are 3.12” x 0.88” x 3.12” and on the front panel, there is only a temperature scale with a small lever to adjust the temperature. This thermostat does not have OFF switch although it might look on some pictures. Due to it is a manual thermostat there’s no fear of furnaces stop working after the power outage is done, because the thermostat forgot the settings. This is reliable and durable manual heat only thermostat with the tradition of industrial use, and if you’re looking for something that is really simple to use, but it will do its job perfectly, then this is the thermostat for you.
Features:
Manual 2-wire thermostat
Non-digital and non-programmable
Doesn’t need batteries
Easy-to-use
Bimetal temperature sensor
Honeywell T410A1013 Electric Baseboard Heat Thermostat
This Honeywell model is great to replace any 2-wire line voltage heating thermostat, especially since there are not as many thermostat options available for electric baseboard heat. Set point temperature values are from 35 to 85 ℉ and you can adjust the temperature by turning the micro switch mechanism. It doesn’t require batteries. This thermostat will regulate furnace work by turning it on/off to maintain preferred temperature.
Dimensions of the product are 6.5” x 4.9” x 3” and it has a simple design with vent holes and with a round switch, on the front panel, for temperature adjusting. Sometimes it may happen that the thermostat is not calibrated so you will have to do it yourself. Otherwise, installation is quite simple and manual with the instructions is provided. This is non-programmable thermostat without any special feature, but it still is the thermostat so it will do its job of keeping the temperature on desired settings. And if you have electric baseboard heat then this is the right choice for you, reliable with reasonable price.
