The Best Non Programmable Thermostats - Picks from Bob Vila

By Mike Bruton

Updated on Nov 4, 2024 1:52 PM EST

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Heating and cooling a home has been a concern for human beings since the days of open-hearth fires, but non-programmable thermostats make this task more manageable than ever. Since the 1960s, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technology has advanced to give homeowners complete control over their home’s temperature with non-programmable thermostats.

The thermostat is the most commonly used part of an HVAC system, and finding the right device means considering several factors. We spoke with a veteran HVAC technician to discover what makes a good thermostat for your home. “The first thing to consider is compatibility with your existing heating and cooling system,” says Ryan Camp, president and owner of Harrington Air Conditioning. “Not all thermostats work with every type of HVAC setup. Also, look for ease of use, as a clear display and intuitive controls will enhance the user experience.”

Our top recommendation is the Honeywell TH5110D1006 Non-Programmable Thermostat. This sleek, classic white thermostat seamlessly blends into any home interior. Its compact size makes it unobtrusive, and the bright backlit screen ensures easy readability, even in low light. Finding a good thermostat for your home means considering several technological factors. Read on to learn more about choosing the best non-programmable thermostats for your home.

Identifying the best non-programmable thermostat for a home can be a labor-intensive task. This list of some of the best options on the market takes the guesswork out of thermostat shopping. Read on to learn more about which products may best fit your temperature-regulating goals.

Honeywell’s classic white non-programmable thermostat can blend seamlessly with your home’s interior design. We found the curved rectangular shape gives it a sleek look and design without taking up too much space. The brightly backlit 1.5-inch screen was easy for us to read even in the dark, and its four large buttons make operation clear and simple.

The TH5110D1006 model is dual-powered, meaning it can be hardwired into the home’s electrical system, and it offers a battery backup fueled by a pair of AA batteries. It is compatible with a heat pump or a single conventional HVAC system. Honeywell offers an easy-to-use and practical package in this dual-powered, non-programmable digital thermostat.

Get the Honeywell TH5110D1006 non-programmable thermostat at Amazon or Walmart.

Weighing in at 4.5 ounces, the White-Rodgers Emerson’s mechanical thermostat might be one of the best non-programmable options out there. The three mechanical switches allowed us to easily set the fan and temperature by feel, which made adjusting the system incredibly intuitive. We also liked that the enclosed electrical contacts help guarantee reliability and accuracy.

The 1F56N-444 model is compatible with gas, oil, and electric single-stage HVAC systems, and it regulates temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. While it doesn’t offer a battery backup, we appreciated the built-in bimetal thermometer that accurately reads the home’s temperature. For those who prefer mechanical simplicity and fuss-free operation, this thermostat stands out. White-Rodgers Emerson’s timeless manual design replaces a screen with an easy-to-read display for straightforward use.

Get the White-Rodger Emerson 1F56N-44 thermostat at Amazon or Wal-Mart.

This affordable digital thermometer gets the job done without breaking the bank, and we appreciate that it doesn’t come with a lot of unnecessary features. While slightly larger than others, the NP110 model fits well into most home interiors with its neutral white design. The backlit digital display isn’t huge, but it provided ample space for all the essential information.

We liked how the four simple mechanical switches eliminated the finickiness of some touchscreen systems, allowing for precise temperature adjustments of 1 degree Fahrenheit. The NP110 model is compatible with single-stage heating, cooling, and heat pump systems that don’t have auxiliary backups. However, we noted that it won’t work with multistage systems or 120/240-volt electric baseboard heaters. Emerson delivers with this affordable, well-designed digital heating and cooling thermostat, offering simplicity and precision.

Get the Emerson NP110 thermostat at Amazon, Lowes, and Ace Hardware.

Honeywell’s manual budget thermostat works well with low-voltage heating systems, and we found its snap action switch made operation as easy as flipping a piece of plastic. The temperature feedback is measured by a bimetal mercury-free sensor, making it simple to see which setting was selected. The controls couldn’t be more straightforward—this adjustable thermostat has a single mechanism that can be moved with the flick of a finger.

We appreciated the small wall footprint, and its neutral white color blended well without imposing on our home decor. This non-programmable thermostat is designed for “heat only” systems, so it won’t control air conditioning. It’s a solid option for covering heating needs without breaking the bank, and it includes all the required mounting hardware for easy installation.

Get the Honeywell CT30A1005 thermostat at Amazon, Honeywell, and Wal-Mart.

This “heat only” non-programmable thermostat from Honeywell impressed us with its simple controls and brightly lit display, making installation and operation straightforward. We appreciated that it consistently displays both the home temperature and system status, keeping everything easily accessible. With just two buttons and a single switch, adjusting the temperature between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit is simple.

The slightly curved rectangular shape offers a small footprint, fitting seamlessly into any home’s decor. Since it’s powered by a pair of AA alkaline batteries, hardwiring isn’t an option, but the setup is still quick and easy. This thermostat is designed explicitly for heat-only systems, so it won’t work with air conditioning units, but we found the simplicity and ease of use to be an excellent choice for basic heating needs.

Get the HoneywellTH1100DV1000 thermostat at Amazon, Wal-Mart, or Honeywell.

If you need a “heat only” manual thermometer, Honeywell’s CT50K1002 thermostat is an excellent choice. Its classic neutral design combines a compact footprint in a non-programmable thermostat. With only a single control input, we found it incredibly user-friendly. It’s a mercury-free thermometer that efficiently regulates home temperature.

The kit includes everything we require for wall mounting, and the unit can be hardwired into the home’s power system. Batteries are not an option for this unit, so if we needed dual-powered options, we’d have to look elsewhere. The CT50K1002 model is compatible with central gas or oil heating systems. Honeywell’s non-programmable heat only thermostat comes with everything required for installation and provides an uncomplicated interface for regulating home temperature.

Get the Honeywell CT50K1002 thermostat at Amazon, Honeywell, Wal-Mart, or Ace Hardware.

Identifying the best non-programmable thermostat requires taking several factors into account. The location, display, power source, capability, additional features, and other considerations of a thermostat make the difference between having trouble-free operation and home temperature woes. Below is a quick summary of some of the most important characteristics to consider when selecting the best non-programmable thermostat for a home.

Location

Selecting the proper location for the thermostat is integral to optimum performance. The best non-programmable thermostat should be located centrally. In addition to being convenient to multiple locations, a centrally located thermostat will take the best readings of the home’s average temperature.

Thermostats located in sunny areas will read temperatures that are higher than the actual temperature in the home. Similarly, an indoor thermometer should not be placed near air vents, as the flowing air may cause inaccurate temperature readings because hot air rises and cool air drops. Installing the thermostat 52 inches to 60 inches from the floor will give the best average reading. Placing a room thermostat incorrectly may result in the user adjusting the temperature based on flawed data.

Manual vs. Digital

The world is becoming increasingly digital—and for good reason. Digital thermostats offer several advantages over manual thermostats. In addition to providing a sleek and modern addition to the home, digital thermostats save up to 10 percent in energy savings over the year due to superior sensors and efficiency settings. These energy savings are offset by the fact that the initial cost of digital thermometers tends to be higher than their manual counterparts.

A manual thermostat looks more old-fashioned than a digital one. It is operated by mechanical knobs or switches to achieve the desired temperature. While the aesthetics of a manual thermostat may complement a home’s interior, they also offer drawbacks. They tend to be imprecise when compared to digital, but the thermostat replace cost is less when it’s time to purchase. However, they may result in higher yearly energy costs because they lack refinement.

Not all HVAC systems are the same. Heat pumps, furnaces, baseboard units, and air conditioning units all have different electrical requirements and sometimes use single—or multistage speed systems. The majority of systems fall into low-voltage or high-voltage categories.

The best way to check if a thermostat is compatible with the existing HVAC system is to determine the wiring requirements of the system. Shut off the power to the HVAC system before removing the cover of the thermostat or HVAC unit. Low-voltage systems use thinner wires, while high-voltage systems have thicker wires and usually include high-voltage warnings on the equipment. Always exercise caution when determining compatibility and performing an installation of a thermostat or consult a professional electrician.

Like everything else in a house, a good home thermostat needs a dedicated power source to operate. This power source may derive from the HVAC unit, the home’s existing electrical system, or from a battery.

Hardwired thermostat systems are tied directly into the home’s electrical infrastructure through a dedicated wire known as the C-wire. A C-wire provides a connection directly to the HVAC system so that as long as a home has power, the thermostat does as well.

Battery-powered units are most often found on digital thermostat systems. The advantage of a battery-powered thermostat is that it will still operate during a power failure—though your HVAC system is not likely to function without a power source unless there is a backup generator for emergencies.

Dual-power systems are a combination of the directly tied-in C-wire with a battery backup in case of emergencies. These are the most effective systems as they cover all eventualities.

The proper display and control features could spell the difference between easy, precise operation and confusing temperature mishaps. Consider characteristics like backlighting, display information, and ease of use when identifying a good thermostat for home.

A large display thermostat with a backlit screen will show temperature information similar to a digital watch. On more sophisticated units, screens may offer more information on colorful displays similar to a smartphone screen. Aside from temperature, displays may show humidity, fan speed, time, and even external weather conditions.

By nature, manual displays are more utilitarian. They often display temperature via a dial similar to an analog watch: a needle or a set of needles encased in glass point to the home’s approximate temperature. Manual displays have fewer features and tend to be less accurate than digital displays.

Though non-programmable thermostats tend to be more rudimentary compared to installing a smart thermostat, there are still a few useful features that provide extra utility to basic thermostats.

One of the most user-friendly features is proper backlighting. Changing the temperature in a dark room—especially with manual thermostats—can be challenging. A backlit display is crucial for easy operation at night.

Digital displays offer more in the way of features. Keypad lockouts prevent children or guests from changing the temperature against your wishes. Some digital thermostats also include touchscreen capability and displays that provide information about humidity levels or outdoor weather conditions.

Like installing a programmable thermostat, putting in a non-programmable model can be potentially dangerous due to the electrical voltage running through the unit. Before attempting any installation, make sure to turn off the power to that area of the home via the fuse panel. Consulting a professional electrician will help ensure a safe and straightforward installation process.

The good news is installers do not need a lot of specialized knowledge; replacing an electric thermostat is a relatively simple process. After turning off the power:

When in doubt, consult a professional for help to install a non-programmable thermostat safely.

There is a lot to consider when choosing the best non-programmable thermostat. For a quick reference to some of the most pressing queries, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.

Non-programmable thermostats are usually less complex and easier to operate and install than their programmable counterparts. Additionally, they tend to be cheaper.

A non-programmable thermostat does not allow the user to program temperature changes without manual input, and it also lacks the remote capability of a smart device.

Installation is relatively straightforward:1. Cut power to the area.2. Remove the faceplate with a screwdriver.3. Remove and label the power wires.4. Install the power wires to the new thermostat.5. Reverse the uninstallation process and restore power.

The best place for a thermostat is on an interior wall in a central part of your home, ideally in a room you frequently use. Avoid areas near windows, doors, vents, direct sunlight, kitchens, bathrooms, or hallways, as these can lead to inaccurate temperature readings. Installing the thermostat about 52 inches to 60 inches from the floor helps ensure an accurate reading.

Non-programmable thermostats are usually the most budget-friendly, costing between $15 and $50. If you choose a programmable thermostat it will range from $20 to $150, while smart thermostats generally cost between $100 and $300. There may also be costs associated with installation if you need to hire an electrician or move your existing thermostat location.

Non-programmable, manual thermostats tend to last longer than digital models. Some have lifespans of up to 35 years because they have fewer parts (along with fewer extra features).

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