Lux Products TX500E-010 Smart Temp Programmable Thermostat
by Lux Products
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List Price: Our Price: $27.59 You Save: $15.40 (36%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $19.95 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
Product Details
Manufacturer: Lux ProductsModel: TX500E-010
Product features:
- Easy-to-read digital programmable thermostat
- On-screen programming
- 4 settings per day
- Weekday and weekend settings
- Vacation hold feature
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Lux Products TX500E-010 Smart Temp Programmable Thermostat
Customer Review: Does the job well, but not highly durable
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought my first Lux 500 thermostat on a Sunday morning in January 1999 when it was 30 degrees outside and the existing Honeywell digital/programmable thermostat (roughly six years old) had failed. I was waiting at Home Depot when they opened their doors at 7 am, and choose the Lux 500 from their available inventory. The house has no A/C, only a forced air gas furnace. Installation was simple and, within an hour of leaving the house for Home Depot, the furnace was working again and the house was warm. Programming is easy: you turn a dial to select day of week and time, and programs for weekday, Saturday, and Sunday. Vacation Hold and override functions are easy to program and operate. The device uses AA batteries which I change out once per year in the fall.
My only qualm lies with the issue of durability. After several years, the units seem to develop either short circuits or worn-out switches, in particular the on-off switch (which basically remains in the "on" position for the entire heating season and is switched back to "off" only once each spring, then back to "on" in late fall). The original unit began acting erratically after about five years of use. At that point, I found the Lux 500 offered online from an Ace Hardware Outlet store (roughly $26; Amazon did not yet sell them) and purchased TWO of them: one to replace the existing Lux 500, and one to keep on hand as a spare, having learned my lesson after my 7 am trip to Home Depot. Last year, I had to install the spare, since unit #2 stopped working reliably, so each of the first two units provided 4-5 years of service.
The current (third) unit, the former "spare", has been in place for nearly two years and the on-off switch is starting to "act up": you have to push it up and "jiggle" it to get the unit up and running, which makes me wonder if the switch contacts are wearing out, and/or not well made at the factory from the outset. One advantage of replacing with the same model--assuming it meets your needs--is that there is no learning curve, and installation is simply a matter of removing the screws that hold the base to the wall, and reconnecting the wires on the new unit in the same configuration (duplicating the original installation).
My only other hesitation about the Lux 500 is the lack of a backlit display. Outside of daylight hours, I have to turn on a nearby overhead light fixture to read the display or adjust the programs.
The bottom line: a good and easy-to-use thermostat for the price, as long as you don't expect 10-15 years of service from it. And given the reasonable price, if you buy one and like it, you may as well buy a second unit to keep as a spare, in case your original unit stops working at an inconvenient time. Just as people keep spare light bulbs and batteries on hand. That way, you can fix the problem instantly without having to learn a new system. In my case, since I've used a total of three units of the same model, even the holes in the base of the unit matched the drywall anchors on the wall. Installation was simply a matter of removing two or three screws, removing the old base, and inserting the new base using the same screws. Ditto for the control wires, which simply connect to the same terminal screws in the new base. After adding batteries, the front (display/control) portion of the unit then snaps on top of the base, and you're in business.
Four star rating, with one star deducted because neither of my first two units lasted longer than roughly five years.
Note for "green" customers: the battery bay has a warning sticker to use only alkaline AA batteries and not rechargeable batteries. So once or twice a year you will have to recycle or otherwise dispose of a pair of AA alkaline batteries. The owner manual [...] specifically advises use of alkaline batteries only.
Description of Lux Products TX500E-010 Smart Temp Programmable Thermostat
Program thermostat ahead of time to turn on periodically throughout the day. Great for while you are away on vacation or at work. This works for heat- only or cool-only settings to keep the temperature comfortable when you arrive home.Energy efficient and easy to use, the Lux TX500E Smart Temp 5-2 Day Programmable Thermostat lets you easily customize heating and cooling temperatures to meet your comfort level and schedule. Packed with advanced features that make programming incredibly easy and user friendly, the mercury-free TX500E is compatible with most 24-volt heating and cooling systems.
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 Thanks to a large display, patented Lux Speed Dial, and preprogrammed energy-saving schedule, the TX500E is incredibly easy to use. |
Properly using a programmable thermostat is one of the easiest ways you can save energy and money. The TX500E makes saving as simple as can be--it offers four program periods per day, temporary temperature override, vacation hold and the convenience of separate weekday and weekend settings, so you can set your home's temperature to match your schedule.
User-Friendly Programming, Filter Monitor, and Keypad Lockout
Thanks to a large display, patented Lux Speed Dial, and a preprogrammed schedule developed to save energy and reduce costs, the TX500E is incredibly easy to use. For further convenience, a filter monitor that reminds you when to change your furnace filter, and a battery-life monitor indicates when the batteries need changing.
The TX500E also offers a keypad lock that prevents unauthorized changes to the thermostat settings.
Save Money and the Environment
Like all programmable thermostats, the TX500E helps reduce energy consumption, but this efficient device takes savings a step further. To maximize your home's energy efficiency, the TX500E comes preprogrammed with a default heating and cooling schedule that's designed to save up to $500 in energy costs over a year, and can also help cut down on your carbon footprint. Because the TX500E is 100% mercury free, you can be sure it's a safe and environmentally conscious choice for your home.
Compatible with Most 24-Volt Heating and Cooling Systems
The TX500E is compatible with most 24-volt heating and cooling systems, including forced air, single stage, and central air systems, heat pumps without auxiliary heat, hot water baseboard and steam heat radiators, and 750 millivolt systems (gas fireplaces/wall heaters).
Two "AA" alkaline batteries are required for operation (batteries not included).
About Lux: Innovation, Quality, and Value
Since 1914, Lux Products Corporation has manufactured quality products for the home. It all began with turn-of-the-century timing devices, the forerunners of the now world-famous Lux 60-Minute Timers. Building on the success of these simple and utilitarian items, Lux grew into the multifaceted manufacturer and merchandiser it is today. The Lux name has always stood for innovation, quality, and value. The company's full line of electronic and mechanical thermostats offers models for nearly every heating and cooling application. See how you can save money and conserve energy with Lux.
What's in the Box
Lux TX500E Smart Temp Programmable Thermostat, mounting hardware, installation guide, and instruction manual.
 Not sure which model is right for you? Click here for a complete comparison of LUX programmable thermostats. |
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