Lux TX9000TS Touch Screen Seven-Day Programmable Thermostat
by Lux Products
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List Price: Our Price: $64.29 You Save: $15.70 (20%) Availability: Usually ships in 4-5 business days Buy Used: from $51.36 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Lux TX9000TS Touch Screen Seven-Day Programmable Thermostat
Customer Review: So easy, even I could do it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm not what you would call a "do-it-yourselfer" for the most part. But we really needed digital thermostats, and I thought programmable thermostats would save us some money. The thermostats the builder installed when we bought our house seven years ago were not even digital. I just wish I'd changed them out sooner - I can't believe I waited so long!
We have two systems in our house, one in the attic to heat/cool the upstairs, and one in the basement to take care of downstairs, so I ordered two of these Lux thermostats. I would say that I spent an hour researching thermostats and also watching videos online that demonstrated how to install them, so when I got the package from Amazon I was prepared! I spent approximately 10 minutes installing each one, and most of that time was taking the old thermostats off and trudging up and down one or two flights of stairs to turn the circuits on and off! They were very easy to install and worked great right out of the box. The displays are large and easy to read, and the light function is very nice. Menus and settings are fairly intuitive and easy to understand.
I did have to adjust the heating/cooling schedules that come built in. The defaults are pretty "frugal" and you'll be very hot in the summer and cold in the winter if you use them! But it was very easy to program schedules the way we needed them, and now that I've used it with both AC and heat I'm very happy. Our last "late summer" electric bill was noticeably lower, and I can't wait to see how much lower our gas bills are this winter. I can already tell that we're using less energy, just based on the temperature in the house at various times of the day.
I was pretty intimidated at the thought of installing new thermostats, but this Lux product made it simple. Five stars!
Customer Review: Most affordable 7-day thermostat, with touch screen to boot!
Summary: 5 Stars
Have had this thermostat for about 6 months and am loving it. It's reliable and easy to program. Great extra features, too, like the adjustable filter change reminder and the energy monitor. Program 4 cycles per day, and if you want to use the same programming on Tuesday as you did for Monday, you just hit the "copy" button and it automatically inputs those settings for you. No sitting there and entering the same 10 button sequence 5 times for Monday - Friday.
Highly recommend the WP9000TS Wallplate for Lux Products TX9000TS. Just added this for $2, free shipping, and it definitely enhances the asthetic appeal (if there is such a thing for a thermostat!). Buy it when you purchase the thermostat, so you don't have to take the thermostat off later to add the wall plate.
UPDATE - JULY 6, 2010
Have started having problems with the thermostat about two weeks ago (Have had it since January 2010). Now, when I try to program it, after pressing the touchscreen 3-4 times (for example, while trying to program the current time), the screen resets (as in, all characters on the screen light up and stay lit, and I can't do anything else). The problem has persisted. The only thing the thermostat will now do is hold a set temperature, and even then, it resets after a day or two and does nothing until the batteries are pulled out for a few minutes.
Will let you know how the returns process goes. The owner's manual says it has a 3-year warranty instructs me to return it to Amazon; however, Amazon won't let me return it because it has been more than 90 days. Contacted Lux directly and we'll see what they say.
Customer Review: Great thermostat. Works as described.
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had this thermostat for a little over a year. It replaced an old cheap 5-1-1 RiteTemp from HD which was too problematic and erratic. Main reason for buying this was the 7-day programming. Based on CR rating and customer reviews I decided for this unit. I use it only for heating with only 2-wire system. It keeps my temperature more constant than the previous thermostat and keeps the house more comfortable. I have not experimented with the smart temperature setting that achieves the desired temperature at the set program time. The unit produces a fairly distinct click when the turning the furnace on or off. Not a big deal but may bother some people. The display is clear, large, easy to read and looks good. As far as programming goes, it's easy to follow and simple as with most similar electronic gadgets. Some complain that it is not that easy to program byt I see those complains for Honeywell as well. Bottom line, read the manual befor you buy to make sure it does what you want it to do, after you buy to learn how it works and then set it and forget it.
Couple of annoyances I have noticed but by no means deal breakers: 1. as others already mentioned, only the actual temperature is displayed, no set temperature display, 2. no special program, my 511 thermostat had a special program that I could use while I was home on a day off that would normally fall into mid-week program. Such as Thanksgiving on Thursday I would prefer to have a special program to activate on those special days that would mimic my weekend program. Most 511 thermostats have this feature. With this unit I have to use the hold feature and use the thermostat as manual thermostat. I think Honeywell also does not have this on their 7-day model.
Other than that, I would definitely recommend it.
Customer Review: This Product Is Very Good!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have 3 zones. I had the weekday/weekend programable LUX given to me by the oil company that I use. However, that model was too limited in features. I needed more flexibility So, I bought the TX9000TS at the store to try it out.
First and foremost, I believe in reading the manual first before attempting any installation, in the event I miss something. By reading the manual, approximately 15 minutes, I was able program and replace the old unit with the new thermostat within 45 minutes.
One of the concerns I had about going with the Honeywell, is the clicking sounds, everytime the thermostat kicks on or off. So I decided to upgrade the LUX thermostat that I have. Subsequently, I order two more TX9000TSs for the remaining zones. I was able to program and replace the other units within 20 minutes for each unit.
Now I have much more control over the scheduled temperatures for each zone, on any day of the week. My wife finds it easy to override the temperatures, more importantly, I don't have to turn on the lights in the middle of the night in order make any adjustments, because of the display light. The characters on the screen are very large and easy to read.
Again, because I read the manual before installation, it made it very easy to understand the wiring specifications.
The only draw back to this is that I am using it for heating only. While I did read some reviews that some people were having difficulties with the cooling systems, I am almost sure it was because they didn't read the manual ahead of time. And for those who were experiencing the installation all together, well all I can suggest is really read the manual. You can find all of the information about the product in that booklet.
Customer Review: DIY HEADS-UP
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great 5-star thermostat; lots of features, easy to program, big display, handy night-light button. BUT...
The directions for installation are clear but the "TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE" information leads you to believe that if you have a problem, your solution is only a quick phone call away (if it is within office hours) or that you can resolve your problem via the internet at their website, day or night. I had a problem. I had a Lennox Heating and Cooling thermostat that I was replacing that only had two wires connected to the old thermostat. The internet info on the LUX site indicated that the TS9000TS would NOT work on a two-wire system. The TX9000TS requires a minimum of 4 wires for heating and cooling. I called the "HELP" number. It is an automated system that will take your name and number and a promise to get back to you within 24 hours. A gentleman with a foreign sounding voice left a message the next afternoon and he said that he misunderstood my concern and that I would have to call him back. As it turned out, I opened the furnace panel and found a wiring schematic of the furnace controls with the wiring of a typical 4-wire thermostat. I labeled the existing wires (6-wire cable) according to the terminal strip identification on the schematic and connected them to the new thermostat...it worked!!!
"Lesson learned" is to investigate the wiring to the old thermostat and verify that it will directly replace the new thermostat. If not, DO NOT take the old thermostat apart until you discuss your situation with the HELP-line or research your wiring options on-line.
My Amazon purchase was a great price with prompt delivery.