Best 5 Air Conditioner & Cooling Thermostats For Sale (Reviews)
The central air conditioner can be compared to the refrigerator since it is built of the same materials, components, and systems. In fact it includes a refrigerant that changes it physical state (gas/liquid, liquid/gas) as it collects heat from one state and then it transfer it through the system of tubes to the other place where they cool and continue to transfer through the system to the air blower which then pushes cold air through the air ducts in the needed environment.
Central air conditioner runs on electricity and during summer months when high temperatures occur it has to run more than usual and it uses more electricity. To make air conditioner efficient and energy saving, it is recommended to get a thermostat that will regulate running hours of AC device. Air conditioner thermostat will measure the room temperature and it compares it to set point temperature values, then it adjusts the working of the AC device to achieve that values. For instance, it will turn off the AC when the temperature reaches the desired value, if the temperatures get higher again, AC thermostat will turn on the air conditioner again to lower the indoor temperature.
There are many different models and brands of thermostats on the market. Before purchasing one you need to know what kind of heating or cooling systems you have, and what are you trying to achieve with your thermostat. There are many smart, programmable and non-programmable options, and in this article, we will present you some of the most popular AC thermostats available.
5 Best AC Thermostat Models
Lux Products TX9600TS Programmable Thermostat
This thermostat will work with most of the heating and cooling systems, 750 millivolt systems, and it can also be operational just as an air conditioner thermostat. It’s not compatible with electric baseboard heat and system with 2 cooling stages. The installation is easy, this device comes with printed instructions and a different set of wires to ease the process and make it universal. It needs 2 AA batteries to work. For optimal functioning of your thermostat, it is suggested to change them at the start of new heating season.
Large touch screen display has a blue backlight. The display is an easy-to-read menu which makes it easy-to-use and to program. It also alerts you when you need to change the filter and on top of all, you can lock the screen with a 4-digit code. You can choose individual settings for every day of the week with four different time scheduled temperature periods. You can copy settings from one day to the other ones which make it user-friendly, and Vacation mode is energy saving and it can last up to 30 days. Also, this central air thermostat has a swing built-in that enables you to set the temperature interval which won’t make the thermostat start any action – starting and stopping heating/cooling equipment.
This cooling thermostat is also compatible with most heating systems and heat pumps, except electric baseboard heat (120/240 V). This thermostat needs AA batteries as a power source. Installing the thermostat is not complicate the process, in the box will be included the instruction manual, wall plate, anchors and screws and wire stickers. This is a very accurate thermostat and its sensitivity is +/- 1 ℉. The dimensions are 6” x 1” x 3.25”. Its large display has a backlight that turns on by pressing the touch screen and it shows you data of desired and current temperature values, time, date, and alerts for air filter and batteries.
The thermostat programming goes over a digital touch screen and you will have to put in a lot of codes but you shouldn’t be scared because everything is well explained in the instruction manual. You can personalize the temperature schedule up to 4 different periods in a day – Wake, Leave, Return, Sleep, for each day of the week individually. To ease the process, you can just copy the settings from one day to others that have the same schedule. Smart Response technology will make sure that desired temperature is reached in scheduled time by starting the equipment earlier. Also, the Auto mode allows this heating and AC thermostat to control heating/cooling system to follow temperature changes in the house and keep the temperature at a set point. If this mode is on it will show on the display.
Features:
7-day programmable heating and air conditioner thermostat
Temperature sensitivity is sensitivity is +/- 1 ℉
Needs AA batteries
Auto mode and Smart Response enabled
Touchscreen LCD display
Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
Lux TX9600TS can be both, heat and air conditioner thermostat since it’s compatible with most heating/cooling systems apart from 750 millivolt systems and line voltage or baseboard heating. This type of system needs C-wire to work with Apple HomeKit and if you have a heat pump system without auxiliary or heat only and cool only systems. And if you don’t have it you can purchase Thermostat Common Wire Kit or put regular AA batteries. Prior to installation you should download an app with step-by-step instructions and then installing process shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes, but in case you have any trouble, technical support is a phone call away.
Besides HomeKit, it can also work with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Wink. You can use simple voice controls to adjust your thermostat or find out room temperature. It also notifies you when extreme temperature and humidity values occur, and when to change your filter. You can control your thermostat two ways. Geofencing technology allows this thermostat to use your phone’s location in order to achieve maximal energy savings when you’re not home but providing you with comfort when you are. The other way is programming your temperature settings for each day of the week separately with four different time schedules in a day, and the Sensi thermostat will keep the temperature within one degree from the set point.
Features:
Heath and air conditioner thermostat
Needs C-wire to work with Apple HomeKit
Supports Google Assistant, Wink and Alexa, without C-wire needed
7-day programmable thermostat
Geofencing technology
Honeywell TH3110D1008 Non-Programmable Digital Thermostat
This Honeywell device is a one-stage heat or cooling thermostat, it is a non-programmable digital thermostat and it will also work with a heat pump without auxiliary heat and 750 milliVolt systems. The installation is simple and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes of your time and this thermostat is powered by 2 AA batteries, so no need for C-wire, but you can wire it up if you don’t want to worry about changing the batteries. This is a great thermostat if you wanted a reliable and simple solution without programming, especially for the rented properties.
This thermostat has a digital backlit display that shows you both, current room temperature and the set values. With easy-to-use slide switches on the front panel, you can choose Heat or Cool mode and you can control the fan and the thermostat will keep the temperature within +/- 1 ℉ range from the set point. It has the ability to remember heat and cooling set points, so when you switch from Heat to Cooling, and then back to Heat, it will remember the previous setpoint heating values. Even in the case of a power outage, it will remember all settings so you don’t need to worry.
Features:
Non-programmable one stage heat or cooling thermostat
It powers up with 2AA batteries, you can also use C-wire
Easy-to-read backlit digital display
Slide switch control
The dimensions are 5.5” x 4” x 2.5”
Orbit 83521 Programmable Thermostat
Orbit 83521 is great AC thermostat that also works with gas, oil or electric furnaces, millivolt systems and most heating and cooling systems, except multistage heating/cooling systems, baseboard heaters and 3 wire hydronic systems. It doesn’t require C-wire, instead, it needs 3 AAA batteries as a power source. The installation process is effortless and programming the thermostat is intuitive, a user-friendly interface will guide you through the menu. This thermostat comes in white, with big easy-to-read backlit LCD display and the transparent interface cover gives it a sleek and modern look.
You can customize your temperature preferences and set 4 different time scheduled periods in a day, for each day of the week individually. If you have some days with the same schedule, you can just copy desired settings of the day to the next one, to save some time. This air conditioner thermostat is Energy Star certified and you can save up to 33% on your bills if you decide to use preprogrammed energy-saving temperature settings. Early Start option enables your thermostat to start the heating/cooling devices before the scheduled time to provide you with desired temperature settings by the scheduled time. This thermostat can also learn the best cycle times for your system, but to enable this smart logic you need to set the minimum cycle period to at least 6 minutes (explained in the user manual). It doesn’t have Swing built-in and sensitivity of this thermostat is 1 ℉.
