Programmable Thermostat standard or upgrade? (appointed, new home, heat pump)

[Grass Is Greener]

Just had the walkthrough on my new home yesterday. Except for a couple of minor things everything seems to be in order. One thing I was very disappointed is that the thermostat is not programmable. Jeez, I would expect that for the price range of the house it would come with a programmable thermostat and didn't even ask about it before the contract. Sounds too cheap to save on that from the builder's part and now I'll have to spend $300 to have both of them replaced.

So... question.. here in the triangle, new construction, what is the price range you should expect to get a programmable thermostat?

[mdp_az]

I've seen non-programmable ones in $550k new construction homes. I think that's pretty sad, really.

[playnice]

If you have a heat pump, a programmable 'stat is not so necessary as you should not be changing the temp more than a couple of degrees ever...unless you like high energy bills!

[Waterboy526]

I purchased a programmable thermostat, but I don't program it. I just liked the look and ease of having it all digital and easy to know exactly the temperature. With temperatures changing and not being home at the same times everyday, it's almost impossible to program it and have it the way you want it.

Thermostats are easy to install and you can get a decent programmable one for $50.

[Grass Is Greener]

Originally Posted by Waterboy526

Thermostats are easy to install and you can get a decent programmable one for $50.

At Lowes i saw they cost $75. $75x2=$150 + Installation $150. = $300.

[Waterboy526]

There are ones for $40 I've seen at lowes. I purchased mine for $49.99. Installation only takes a screwdriver and can be done quite easily...all you have to do is turn the breaker off to the thermostats before you unconnect the old thermostat and then re-connect the new one. I'm just saying it can be done for cheaper than several hundred dollars if you want to do it yourself.

[coltank]

If it's standard, I can guarantee you are paying for it.

[KellyCrash]

In almost every house we have owned/rented my husband has replaced the thermostats with digital programable ones. I think we've paid like $75 at most for the thermostats and my husband has always done the work.

We purchased our current home a year ago & the house included digital thermostats, but not programable. I'm totally fine with it. I like to keep the house at a constant temperature. If we're going to be gone it just takes a simple touch to turn the heat down or a/c up. We only do this if we're going to be gone on vacation tho. In the past I've gotten really annoyed with program because it's not easy to override it. You can override for a time, but at the next interval it goes back to the program. Then you have to re-program.

[sls76]

Our house was around $500k and it had a programmable thermostat. I think of the four homes we've bought (purchase price from $275k-$520k) they've all had programmable thermostats.

[ducter]

Originally Posted by playnice

If you have a heat pump, a programmable 'stat is not so necessary as you should not be changing the temp more than a couple of degrees ever...unless you like high energy bills!

Lowes sells a specific one for heat pumps that is supposed to "stage" raising the temp when on heat to stop the heat strips from coming on. The biggest advantage would be the AC usage of it.