Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats for forced air and hydronic systems, in 5-1-1, 5-2 and 7-day schedules, from single-stage up to 3 heat / 2 cool.

The setback is where the savings come from, and it works differently on different equipment. A furnace recovers quickly, so a deep overnight setback pays. A heat pump does not — a large setback forces the auxiliary resistance heat to make up the difference on recovery, which costs more than the setback saved. Heat pump installations need a thermostat with adaptive or intelligent recovery, and a shallow setback.

Stage count has to match the equipment. A two-stage furnace on a single-stage thermostat runs on high fire only and loses both the efficiency and the comfort the second stage was bought for. Check the terminal designations against the appliance wiring, not against the old thermostat — the old one may itself have been wrong.

C-wire is the practical obstacle on retrofit. Many older installations have no common wire, and a thermostat that needs continuous power will short-cycle or fail without one.

Brands include Honeywell Home by Resideo, tekmar and DiversiTech. Honeywell families here include the PRO 2000, T4 Pro, T6 Pro, FocusPRO 6000, VisionPRO and CommercialPRO 7000. See also: Honeywell Pro Series thermostats, smart and Wi-Fi thermostats, non-programmable thermostats and thermostat wire.

Popular in this collection: Honeywell Home PRO 2000 TH2110DH1002/U.

Frequently asked questions

Which schedule type do I need?

A 5-2 schedule uses one program for weekdays and one for the weekend, a 5-1-1 schedule adds separate Saturday and Sunday programs, and a 7-day schedule sets every day on its own.

Is a programmable thermostat a good idea with a heat pump?

Yes, with a heat pump-rated model and a shallow setback. A large setback makes the auxiliary heat run during recovery, which can cost more than the setback saves.

Do programmable thermostats need a C-wire?

Many PRO and FocusPRO models can run on batteries, but models with backlit or touchscreen displays usually need 24V from a common (C) wire. Check the power options on the product page.

Which Honeywell programmable thermostat works with a heat pump?

Check the stage rating in the product title. The T4 Pro TH4210U2002 handles up to 2 heat/1 cool on heat pumps, and the T6 Pro models go up to 3 heat/2 cool. Match the heat and cool stages to the outdoor unit and the auxiliary heat.