Hunter 44360 Set and Save 7-Day Programmable Thermostat
by Hunter Fan Company
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List Price: Our Price: $32.05 You Save: $20.94 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $26.00 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Hunter 44360 Set and Save 7-Day Programmable Thermostat
Customer Review: unintuitive --- I don't recommend
Summary: 1 Stars
I've owned many programmables over the years and I have to say this is the most unintuitive model I've ever had. I bought it because of the hours usage feature, which most other brands lack. However, that feature is not enough to make up for the difficulty of use. The principal issue is entering a "hold" mode. For starters, you have to go inside the cover to access "hold". Then it's easy to exit the mode as you're trying to adjust the temp.
Also, the "set" temperature is not displayed on the default display. You have to briefly hit the up or down button button to make it flash up on the display. But of course, if you press and hold it too long, you start to change the actual set temperature. And this is just a partial list of nuances that I expect will bug the average user.
If you're on top of it and tech savvy, you can navigate these issues. But when my parents visit and I need to deviate from the standard program, for instance, it's hopeless to instruct them on these nuances, so I have to take on all programming responsibility.
But to be fair, it's not particularly difficult to initially program and install. It's just the other day-to-day interaction that is lacking.
I highly recommend the Honeywell Electronic Focus Programmable Thermostat #YRTH6300B1007 (a 5/2, but I'm sure a 7-day model exists). It is much more user friendly than the Hunter.
Too bad, as I'm generally a fan of Hunter products. But this one just isn't up to the task.
Customer Review: Nice... Once It's Installed Correctly
Summary: 2 Stars
***EDITED REVIEW*** I wanted to note that when this review was written, the purchase cost of this item was substantially higher than it is now. *****
This is a nice thermostat. It does have a few issues I discovered now that it has been in use about a week.
1) The wiring instructions are not correct, at least not for my AC unit. I wound up calling an AC company who was nice enough to walk me through the wiring over the phone for free (there are a few good people left out there). Only two of the five wires actually went to where the instructions said they should.
2) The backlighting only stays on for about five seconds, its kind of a let down considering I paid $25 more for the version that is backlit over the same one without the backlighting option.
Now that it is installed, it is easy to program and works fine.
I gave this item two stars due to the 40% extra I paid for a disapointing backlighting feature and the incorrect instalation instructions. I almost had to pay a $100 service call to have someone install a $60 thermostat!
One piece of advice, make sure its not hot out when you do the instalation. I live in Arizona, it was 113 degrees outside and 78 inside when I started this, thinking it would only take a minute. When I was done two hours later, after the phone call with the AC guy, it was 98 degrees inside my house.
Customer Review: I'm Loving This
Summary: 5 Stars
First, installation was a bit of a challenge, because I have a SINGLE VALVE REVERSING HEAT PUMP (apparently). My a/c unit and existing thermostat are both 20 years old. My buddy who does a/c helped me with some wiring that I had to do a little differently because of this. The instructions did touch on this scenario, but he had me do something that the instructions didn't even cover. While this was potentially a big problem, the solution I'm sure exists on the internet somewhere.
If you have a fairly new system and/or no heat pump this will not be an issue for you.
I am VERY IMPRESSED with the functionality. The programming is totally simple and FUN. Each day has 4 periods, which is the perfect amount. Also, the times of day scroll through at 10 minute increments, which again is perfect.
My favorite part is the ENERGY BUTTON on the left hand side. One press and it shows how long the system was on TODAY, then YESTERDAY, THIS WEEK, LAST WEEK, THIS YEAR. I check this everyday. My summer goal is to reduce my daily usage from 10 hours to 7 hours, which should save me $40-$50 a month.
GREAT PRODUCT, and by far the CHEAPEST 7-day programmable thermostat.
Customer Review: Highly Recommended
Summary: 5 Stars
I like this model with the backlit display and the 'at home' feature. I have owned four different Hunter models and this one is the best. I installed it in minutes, but living way up in the snowbound north, we have a very simple heat-only system, so there were only two wires to hook up. The manual is straight forward, but if you are technically challenged you may want to have a friend install it or have a plumber do the job for you. This one is far cheaper with the same functions as the more mainstream heating companies.
My plumber said that one of his biggest requests from customers is the removal of programmable thermostats. He said that his clients get frustrated with the programming and that the temperature keeps resetting to a cooler temperature (the default setting). Take a few minutes to read the manual on programming and to play with the programmable settings to get comfortable with it. Save the manual in a safe place for future reference. I find that they are truly money savers.
Customer Review: A good, full function thermostat
Summary: 4 Stars
This unit represents a good value. It has lots of thoughtful features, such as a button to tell it that you are home for the day and want the heat to stay on, and a meter than tells you how many hours of heat you have been using. It also offers plenty of programming flexibility that you would have to pay more for with products from other manufacturers.
I also use the backlit 5-2 Honeywell. The Honeywell costs more, has fewer features, and in my view, at least, is not meaningfully easier to program, and is certainly no easier to use on a daily basis. I felt the Hunter had better installation instructions. The Honeywell's biggest strength is that it is smaller. Using it, I often find myself wishing it had some of the features found on the Hunter.
My biggest gripe with this Hunter model is that the backlight makes an annoying, high pitch noise. It is also a little too large for my taste. Dollar for dollar, though, versus the competition, this is money well spent.