Manual Thermostats

Keep Your Heaters & Home at the Optimal Temperature with a Manual Thermostat

Manual thermostats are still a popular choice with many homeowners. They may lack some of the features of programmable thermostats and Smart Thermostats, but they’re economical and easy to control. Manual digital thermostats are also now available with easy-to-read backlit display screens. They can also be more accurate than standard manual models, offering accuracy levels of +/- 0.5 degrees Celsius.

Manual thermostats are most commonly used for any type of radiant or convection heater. These units are commonly referred to as line voltage thermostats. Models of this type that are used to control baseboard heaters are called baseboard heater thermostats. Installing a unit on the wall vs. on the heater will provide a more accurate temperature reading. It’s also important to understand the difference between single pole and double pole models. In a single pole thermostat the current only flows one way, which means it cannot be turned off, only down (typically to around 7°C). This will trigger the unit to turn on and can prevent a room from freezing when the outdoor temperature plunges. However, you do have to make sure no items are left on or near your heater. Double pole thermostats do have an ‘off’ setting, but you’ll need to remember to turn the unit on when needed.