Get With the Program: Programmable Thermostats - Ernst Heating & Cooling

Get With the Program: Programmable Thermostats

They’re more than just a hot high-tech gadget—programmable thermostats are tools that help you regulate the comfort level of your home and save money on your energy bills.

Easy to install and easy to use, programmable thermostats, along with zoning systems, customize your home’s heating and cooling systems to maximize their efficiency.

Digital Thermostats and Comfort Controls

Put simply, programmable thermostats and comfort controls (zoning systems) work to reduce energy use when you don’t need to heat or cool your home or where you don’t need heating or cooling. They customize your home’s temperature to maximize your comfort while saving energy—and money.

Which Programmable Thermostat Model Is Right for You?

In general, programmable digital thermostats are available in three styles: 7-day, 5+2-day, and 5-1-1.

  • 7-day digital thermostats – The 7-day models allow you to program each day of the week differently. If the residents of your home have varied schedules, this is likely the best model for you. These models have the most flexible options. The Lennox ComfortSense® 7000 Series Touchscreen Thermostat and ComfortSense® 5000 Series Touchscreen Thermostat both offer 7-day programming.
  • 5+2-day digital thermostats – The 5+2-day style is ideal if you tend to have the same schedule week in and week out. This model allows you to program Monday through Friday and Saturday through Sunday with separate schedules. The Lennox ComfortSense® 7000 Series Touchscreen Thermostat can be set to 5+2-day programming and the ComfortSense® 3000 Series Programmable Thermostat is also a 5+2 model.
  • 5-1-1 digital thermostats – If your weekday schedule is typically consistent but your weekend days tend to vary, the 5-1-1 model is an ideal choice. This model allows you to schedule Monday through Friday with the same settings while putting Saturday and Sunday on their own separate programs.

Wi-Fi Powered Thermostats

The newest digital thermostats are Wi-Fi enabled so that you can program them remotely. These models allow the most flexibility and customization. You can change your home’s temperature from anywhere using your smartphone, laptop, or tablet. This option is incredibly useful if your family’s plans change, you forgot to turn down the heat before you left the house, you want to warm the place up or cool it down before you get home, and in so many other situations. These models allow you to optimize your energy efficiency.

Lennox offers the iComfort Wi-Fi® thermostat.

Zoning Systems for Home Heating and Cooling

What’s a zoning system? Another tool that allows you to customize the comfort levels in your home. Each zone or room attached to the system can be set to its own comfort level—perfect for homes with multigenerational families and varying schedules. When used with programmable thermostats, zoning systems can help you reduce energy costs.

Lennox offers several home zoning systems, including the iHarmony®, which works with the iComfort Wi-Fi® thermostat.

Programmable Thermostats and Energy Savings

Most programmable thermostats come with pre-programmed settings designed to increase energy efficiency without sacrificing your family’s comfort. You can use these settings or change them to suit your specific needs. ENERGY STAR® has found that use of a programmable thermostat can save the average household as much as $180 in heating and cooling costs per year.

Scroll to Top