[Sue K]

I'm looking for someone to replace my old thermostat with a programmable digital one. Estimates range from $179 to $255. Can anyone recommend someone a little less expensive and yet reliable?

[red tail]

any DIY guy can do it. ask one of your handy neighbors. the wires are color coded and its very easy.

[redwitch]

I'd contact John (Handieman) 350 7 3 7 3. He's reasonable and knows how to do stuff like this.

[aljetmet]

Originally Posted by red tail

any DIY guy can do it. ask one of your handy neighbors. the wires are color coded and its very easy.

Very well said!

[hoseman]

Whoever you get to change to a digital thermostat, make sure they show you how the change the batteries...also save the instructions. Keep spare batteries on hand (FYI - mine seem to last about two years). Digital is the way to go once you get the hang of it.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by hoseman

Whoever you get to change to a digital thermostat, make sure they show you how the change the batteries...also save the instructions. Keep spare batteries on hand (FYI - mine seem to last about two years). Digital is the way to go once you get the hang of it.

I change the batteries in my thermostat once a year when I change the batteries in my smoke alarms. It is only thre AAs. Makes life easier.

I do it on the change clock weekend.

[chuckinca]

I don't recall ever changing batteries in the digital stat - have had this house for 6 years. Are they backup only like the smoke alarms and the stat will work without them as long as there is normal house power?

.

[Sparty6971]

Chuckinca - The batteries are usually backup only but may need to be replaced annually anyway. Some of them are rechargeable sealed lithium batteries which shouldn't ever be a problem. Most of them use AA or AAA penlight batteries which will leak after a bit of time and will ruin your thermostat or whatever else they are in. A quick look at them will tell you the difference real quickly. Even the sealed rechargeables will eventually start to fail on you and after 10 years I would swap them out just to be safe. Same general advice goes for smoke and CO alarms.

[784caroline]

While you are at it, I would change the batteries in the outside garage door opener pad and the control unit for your sprinkler system.