Digital thermostats may implement the same functions with programmable thermostat,
but most provide more versatility. For example, they commonly allow setting temperatures for four periods each day, and rather than being limited to a single "hotter" temperature and a single "colder" temperature, digital thermostats usually allow each period to be set to a unique temperature. The periods are commonly labeled "Morning", "Day", "Evening", and "Night", although nothing constrains the time intervals involved. Digital thermostats usually allow the user to over-ride the programmed temperature for the period, automatically resuming programmed temperatures when the next period begins. A function to "hold" (lock-in) the current temperature is usually provided as well; in this case, the over-ride temperature is maintained until the user cancels the hold.
As with clock thermostats, basic digital thermostats may have just one cycle that is run every day of the week. More-sophisticated thermostats may have a weekday schedule and a separate weekend schedule (so-called "5-2" setting) or separate Saturday and Sunday schedules (so-called "5-1-1" settings), while other thermostats will offer a separate schedule for each day of the week ("7 day" settings). Often, a manufacturer will sell three similar thermostats offering each of those levels of sophistication and there is no physical difference in the thermostats other than the factory programming and the price.
Most digital thermostats have entirely separate programs for heating and cooling.
Digital thermostats may also have an air filter change reminder; this counts the accumulated run-time of the heating/cooling system and reminds the user every (say) thousand hours that it is now time to change the filter. The feature often displays the accumulated run-time.
but most provide more versatility. For example, they commonly allow setting temperatures for four periods each day, and rather than being limited to a single "hotter" temperature and a single "colder" temperature, digital thermostats usually allow each period to be set to a unique temperature. The periods are commonly labeled "Morning", "Day", "Evening", and "Night", although nothing constrains the time intervals involved. Digital thermostats usually allow the user to over-ride the programmed temperature for the period, automatically resuming programmed temperatures when the next period begins. A function to "hold" (lock-in) the current temperature is usually provided as well; in this case, the over-ride temperature is maintained until the user cancels the hold.
As with clock thermostats, basic digital thermostats may have just one cycle that is run every day of the week. More-sophisticated thermostats may have a weekday schedule and a separate weekend schedule (so-called "5-2" setting) or separate Saturday and Sunday schedules (so-called "5-1-1" settings), while other thermostats will offer a separate schedule for each day of the week ("7 day" settings). Often, a manufacturer will sell three similar thermostats offering each of those levels of sophistication and there is no physical difference in the thermostats other than the factory programming and the price.
Most digital thermostats have entirely separate programs for heating and cooling.
Digital thermostats may also have an air filter change reminder; this counts the accumulated run-time of the heating/cooling system and reminds the user every (say) thousand hours that it is now time to change the filter. The feature often displays the accumulated run-time.