Automate your heating/cooling control
Written: Jan 28 '03 (Updated Mar 01 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Backlighting, "No batteries required", easy setup
Cons: Some often used buttons are under the faceplate
The Bottom Line: I would highly recommend the Honeywell CT3611R control to anyone wanting a "hands off" control for their heating/cooling system
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| hpq_nighthawk's Full Review: Honeywell Programmable Heat Pump Thermostat CT3611... |
The Honeywell CT3611R Programmable Heat Pump Thermostat is an easy to learn, efficient "smart technology" controller. This unit is a quick replacement for an old style mercury thermostat which will make your system a "hands off" energy saving control.
Controls
The first thing you will notice about the CT3611R is the clean button interface. With the faceplate closed, there are only three buttons visible. These are the "temporary" temperature setting buttons and the information button. The temporary temperature buttons allow you to increase or decrease the current temperature setting for the active time zone. This is handy if you are leaving the house for a few hours and do not want the system running while you are gone. The information button allows you to scroll the display through the system status screen and the program settings screens.
All of the other buttons are covered by the faceplate. These buttons include:
a. Slider bar for function (heat, cool, emergency, and off)- this is used to select the desired system function.
b. Slider bar for fan control (auto or on) - the fan can cycle with the system or run all the time
c. Time zones (morning, daytime, evening, night) - 4 time zones each day for heat/cool settings
d. Arrow scrolls for time and day - cycles the menu through the days and sets the times for zone start
e. DST (daylight savings time) toggle - cycles DST on or off
f. Usage - shows the daily, last 2 days, since last clear system usage in hours
g. Copy - quick copy of time zone settings
h. Run program - start the system with the current programmed settings
i. Hold temp - hold a temporary setting for an extended time (i.e. during vacations, etc.)
Setup
The setup of the system is very easy. The day is divided up into 4 time zones. Each time zone has a heat and cool temperature setting. These zones allow the temperature to be adjusted for different home activity times (sleeping, away at work, evening tv watching, etc.),without having to manually adjust the thermostat. This also allows the computer to maximize the power savings by controlling the use of the electric strip heating during cold weather use. The "smart technology" calculates the time required, based on the current room temperature, to bring up the room temperature to the zone settings without using the strip heat.
Pros
I like the fact that this thermostat does not require batteries. The power is supplied by the connection to the HVAC system. The settings stay in the unit even during short power outages. The backlighting is also very useful for checking the system at night without having to turn the room lights on. The system is also very easy to setup. Normal programming should only take 15-20 minutes for complete 7 day/4 zone heating and cooling settings.
Cons
The button cover makes the system control look streamline, but may cover buttons that are used often. My main dislike here is that if you use the "temporary" adjustment buttons which are not covered up to make changes in the current temperature, then you have to either wait to the next time zone to start or open the cover to press "run program" to return to normal operating status. Overall this is not a big problem with an otherwise great controller.
Related Links
Looking for a good cold weather backup heat source for your heat pump? Visit my review of the Desa Infrared Radiant Heater.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
hpq_nighthawk
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Location: Georgia, USA
Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 30 members
About Me:
Engineer who likes gadgets and the outdoors.
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