It is very important to have a reliable thermostat in your home. You’ll also have to control the temperature effectively so as to ensure your space is comfortable. Due to the numerous products available, you may become overwhelmed if you go to the market looking for the best thermostat.
In this modern age, you’ll be able to select from a host of Wi-Fi connected smart thermostats that can sync with your phone, wireless models that have simple installation processes and energy-saving high-tech products. Your choice will largely depend on your budget, needs and preferences.
For touchscreen thermostats, they make navigation quite easy – just like touchscreens on our smartphones. The tricky part, however, is finding the model that suits your needs.
Here, we’ll look at some of the best touchscreen thermostats currently on the market. Hopefully, this will assist you in making your decision.
-
Honeywell RCHT8610WF2006 Lyric T5 Thermostat
The Lyric T5 is quite simple to install if you previously have C-wire configuration. If you have a C-wire already installed and are lucky not to need additional holes on your wall or to repaint any areas that are exposed, you’ll be able to finish the entire installation process in under twenty minutes.
- ENERGY STAR certified. Help save energy, track your heating and cooling with monthly energy reports and get personalized...
- Save Energy and Get Rewarded by checking with your energy provider about available energy savings rebates to save on...
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When this is done, install the iOS or Android app and create an account. You can sign in with your existing account if you’ve already created an account before.
The app takes some time to complete the pairing process. When you’re on the page where you’re asked to select a device for installation, pick the Lyric T5 and answer any questions that will follow so as to complete the configuration. It will get to a point where it will transform to choosing options on the thermostat proper. This is when you’ll begin to see how useful and effective the touchscreen is.
As for its design, this thermostat is very different from the Honeywell Lyric. As opposed to a round puck like the Honeywell Lyric, you have a 4-inch box-like shape. This touchscreen is monochrome, unlike that of the Ecobee3 which is colour. However, its size ensures that users can be able to read from its screen when across a room.
I’ll admit that the Lyric T5 doesn’t have the motion and humidity sensors that can be found in Nest and Honeywell Lyric thermostats. However, it supports Apple’s HomeKit, meaning it will be able to work with different HomeKit devices.
With HomeKit, you’ll be able to make use of Siri’s voice commands to decrease and increase the temperature. Alexa’s voice service can also be used to do the same thing.
The touchscreen of this thermostat is bright and responsive. It shows the room temperature and current time until you tap on it. When you do this, you’ll see the time, temperature and a menu bar at the bottom. The temperature setpoint can be adjusted by touching the plus or minus icons on the screen.
It will also display the mode (Cool or Heat) and fan speed. With the menu, you’ll be able to configure the Wi-Fi settings, alter the temperature scale, adjust the brightness of the screen and lock the screen.
-
Venstar ColorTouch Thermostat
This thermostat’s design is quite simple. It doesn’t have any external dials or switches as everything is managed through the touchscreen.
Installing this thermostat is straightforward for people that have executed thermostat wiring before. However, if you notice that your wiring doesn’t really match up with the configurations on the instruction manual, it is advisable that you hire a professional. Wiring can be frustrating at times, especially if it is an old home.
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The newer homes usually have suitable or ideal wiring. Venstar’s website has a handful of videos that will help you in the installation as well as operation process.
The screen of the ColorTouch T7900 is coloured and easy to read. Its touch response is pretty impressive and the user interface doesn’t disappoint either. The menu comprises of a lot of the configuration items like schedule, themes, screensaver, Wi-Fi, etc.
The mobile app, however, doesn’t match up in quality. This app comes with limited functionality. It has three sections which are Control, Info, Configure. The first one (Control) will allow users to choose the mode (Cool, Heat, Auto, Off), change the temperature and display an accurate weather forecast (after the user has configured their location through the Skyport website).
As for the Info section, it has icons for messages, alerts, energy use and sensors. The message icon will allow users to send messages to the thermostat’s display. The sensor icon shows the temperature and humidity outside and inside, although it wouldn’t be as functional if you don’t set your location through the website.
Energy use will show users their energy use for the day, the week and the previous week. However, it actually doesn’t show energy consumption but just the duration of heating and cooling.
The best use of the mobile app is to check or change the temperature and turn on and off your schedule. You also have the option of making use of the free Skyport website to connect through Wi-Fi and tweak the settings.
The Skyport website actually has all features of the mobile app, with additional features that only the thermostat has. This is quite impressive as you can control the thermostat without having to be near it.
-
Honeywell RTH8580WF Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Touchscreen Thermostat
Unlike other thermostats that have futuristic designs, this particular product is built like the regular thermostats you can get off-the-shelf. The display is easy to read when in the dark with its backlight turning on whenever you touch it. Its touchscreen is also quite responsive.
No products found.
Although it isn’t as flashy as the colour displays of some thermostats, the Honeywell will present all the important information in a way that is simple to read as well as control.
Installation of this thermostat isn’t any different from most smart thermostats. After you make use of the screws to attach the baseplate to the wall, you’ll then connect the wires with the terminals. After this, attach the thermostat to the baseplate.
For all of this to be possible, you need to have a C-wire which will run from the HVAC system. If you don’t have a C-wire, then your best bet is to call a professional who will install one.
Users will then have to download the Total Connect Comfort app which is different from the one used by the Lyric thermostat. It is available for both iOS and Android smartphones.
While making use of this app, you’ll have to connect the thermostat to a Wi-Fi network. This can be done by first of all logging into the network created by the thermostat with your phone. After this, a screen should pop up which will prompt you to input the password of your home Wi-Fi network.
To complete the setup, you’ll need to go through some other steps. Once you’ve opened the Honeywell app, you’ll be brought to a page titled Locations. Here, there is a tile that is labelled “Home: No Thermostats Installed“.
After clicking on this option, you’ll receive an error message telling you to visit total connect comfort. After this, you’ll be taken to a web page where you have to log in again. You also have to input the Device CRC and Mac ID of the thermostat. When this is done, the thermostat should then be visible on the app.
The app for this thermostat is quite robust. As well as creating a seven-day schedule, users can as well make the thermostat send alerts when the temperature drastically changes or when the device disconnects from the Wi-Fi. However, alerts can only be set when you log into the thermostat using the Total Connect website.
-
Emerson 1F95-1277 Universal Touchscreen 7-Day Programmable Thermostat
The thermostat has a large display of twelve inches accompanied by a blue backlight. This device assures an accuracy rate as it concerns the target temperature. This thermostat also has a very long warranty period of five years. Its user interface is quite simple to use with all the important information displayed right on the screen.
Last update on 2024-04-03 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
As for its main features, we’ve already mentioned its 12-inch display. Some users might find it a tad too big as it will cover a significant part of the wall. Even with its size, it still doesn’t provide a lot of information on its display. The thermostat’s seven-day programming feature doesn’t have sub-periods, meaning users will have to make do with one schedule for the entire day.
The thermostat is very effective in decreasing energy consumption, although not to the level that the company has claimed. It is also compatible with multi-stage or single-stage heat pumps.
This product is very effective and covers all the fundamental functionalities that a thermostat should have. Although it is on the expensive side, potential buyers will be content with this thermostat and all it is capable of doing.
-
Bosch Connected Control BCC100 Thermostat
As it is with any decent smart thermostat, the BCC100 allows you to control the heating and cooling system of your home from any location using your smartphone and its mobile app. It has a large colour touchscreen display that makes it easy to see things. Also, it is quite simple to install and program this thermostat, with it also working with Alexa’s voice commands.
Last update on 2024-04-07 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It is compatible with a lot of 24V HVAC systems, conventional oil, gas and electric systems that have two cooling and heating stages, heat pump systems that have two cooling and four heating stages. It will also be able to control an accessory like a dehumidifier or humidifier. It comes with user and installation guides, mounting screws, wiring labels and a small screwdriver.
This thermostat can be programmed as well as controlled with the touch display or through the Android and iOS apps that will grant you unlimited access from any location. Its main menu that is located on the touch display indicates the current temperature and humidity of the room. It also comes with buttons meant for the system modes (Cool, Heat, Emergency Heat, Auto, Off) and the fan mode. This screen will also display the current time and schedule as well as a Wi-Fi indicator.
The thermostat needs a C-wire before it can be powered up. Meaning, if you own an older system, a professional might be needed to help in the installation of a bridge device which will include a C-wire.
Things to consider when purchasing a touchscreen thermostat
-
Geofencing Functions
With smart thermostats, you will be able to link the product with an app on your smartphone. With this, you can establish a geofence – an electronic boundary that can sense when and when you’re not at home. The thermostat will then be adjusted to your comfort setting once you’re close to your home.
It will also change to a setting that will save energy when you’re not at home.
-
Alerts
A smart thermostat will be able to alert its user whenever the temperature changes in their home during their absence. For instance, your pipes may burst if the temperature in your home dips below freezing point.
An alert from your smart thermostat will allow you to send someone to your home to see if there are any problems. You can also remotely tweak the temperature with an app on your phone.
-
Remote Temperature Adjustment
A time will come when you will want to come back home to a cooler or warmer house. With smart thermostats, this is a genuine possibility. With the help of the thermostat app, you will be able to adjust the temperature from anywhere before you get home.
-
Colour Touch Screen and Proximity Sensor
Smart thermostats come with a lot of features. However, most of these features will be almost useless if you aren’t able to see the touchscreen. Smart thermostats with large display screens are important for managing your home’s temperature.
You can decide to go for a coloured screen or one with a backlight, but you need to be positive that the screen is large and responsive enough.
A proximity sensor is especially useful in the night. It will light up when you’re close by and dim its light when you’re far away. This is a brilliant feature and it should be considered when you’re selecting a smart thermostat.
