Who Would Have Thought It. A Portable Thermostat!
I came across this thermostat by chance and was so impressed with the idea that I just had to include it on my website. The model I’m talking about is the Lux WIN100 5-2 Day Programmable Thermostat which, as you will see below is a very handy “gadget” to have around the home, workshop or anywhere else you use a space heater or portable air-con system.
What I will say before I get going, and it’s incredibly important you take note of this, is that this thermostat has been designed to work with heating and cooling units that will re-start automatically. So, if you have a device that doesn’t power back up on its own after loss of power, this one isn’t going to work for you.
Programming
Lux has made this thermostat as versatile as they can in terms of programming (in my humble opinion), and you have the option to set a program Monday to Friday with a different one for Saturday and Sunday. However, do bear in mind that you cannot have, say, a different program for each day on the weekend. That said you could switch to manual instead.
You can have four different temperatures in each 24 hour period: morning, afternoons, evening and overnight. However, be aware that you cannot program it to come on (or go off) after 11:45pm or before 6am so the temperature set between these times is the same.
When it comes to temperature range, this model does have its limitations but considering how little it costs, I’m pretty impressed. The range you can choose from starts at 45 degrees Fahrenheit and stops at 90 degrees, which obviously is a big enough range for most people.
Ease of Use
All you need in terms of power is a 120v AC power outlet but do make sure it’s grounded. The manufacturer does mention this, but it’s really a side note so I wanted to make sure you knew about it before making a decision. Of course, if you don’t have grounded power, this doesn’t mean you can’t still have this device and if you’re unsure just check with an electrician.
It also takes two 1.5v G13 alkaline batteries which are button style and these are used to power the clock. What’s great about this unit is you can program it without plugging it into the power, so you can do this from the comfort of your favorite armchair.
Another really neat feature I came across is the hold button and whoever thought of this really does deserve some recognition. If you have pre-programmed the thermostat but need to temporarily over-ride it, simply push the “hold” button down. You can then manually change the temperature to suit your needs. When you’re ready to go back to the pre-set program just push the hold button down again.
Saves You Money and Helps the Environment
Many Lux products are designed with energy saving in mind, and this one is no different. According to Lux, using this model could save you as much as 33% on your electric bills over the course of 12 months. It’s ETL approve and mercury free so it’s safe to use and good for the environment.
Overall
If you want to be able to “set and forget” the portable space heaters and air-con units you already have, I don’t think you can go far wrong with this thermostat. And, considering how inexpensive they are (which you can find out more about at Amazon), most budgets will accommodate more than one.
Further Information
