Emergency Heat & Electronic Thermostat

[Antinette]

I want to switch to an electronic thermostat but was told that would be hard (expensive) because I have an emergency heat switch on my current system. Is it possible to switch to the electronic thermostat and what brand/features should I look for? (I am NOT hvac savy -)
Thanks

[dhvac]

many digital thermostats have emergency heat setting built into them
what kind of system do you have?

my personal preference for digital stats are the Honeywell vision pro line

[Antinette]

I have whatever came with the house -I believe it's honeywell...<---that sounds about right...I can go to Home Depot/Lowe's and pick up a system and install myself or will I need to an expert install it?

maybe I should take a picture of the system before I go?

[dhvac]

not the thermostat the system ie electric heat with heat pump or gas furnace with a/c forced air or water
and i dont think you should hook this up yourself and you can get a better thermostat from a hvac company then you can from home depot

[spotts]

You can also fry the low voltage wiring on your entire system if you make a mistake doing this yourself. This is a difficult install. Call a pro and let him bring your thermostat, dont go to HD and get the wrong one. Tell um on the phone you've seen a Honeywell Vision Pro and want that........

[Antinette]

now if we were talking about statistics I wouldn't be lost -LOL
the entire house is electric...
thank you for the input...I will contact a local HVAC company for assistance...also is there a listing (besides the yellow pages) that rates the services of local HVAC companies?

[Antinette]

You can also fry the low voltage wiring on your entire system if you make a mistake doing this yourself. This is a difficult install. Call a pro and let him bring your thermostat, dont go to HD and get the wrong one. Tell um on the phone you've seen a Honeywell Vision Pro and want that........

gotcha -Honeywell Vision Pro...I like the look and ease of that...it looks complicated enough to keep a mofo from trying to fidget with my system when they visit...

[Jax]

Any thermostat that is specifically designed for HP has EM.
You might be able to install it your self, but I would not suggest it.
There are always lots of options that must set and addressed. Just not a DIY job.

[The Penguin]

Unless you have superior electrical knowedge -it would be less hassle and less expensive to hire a local company to install one for you.

If you miss wire it you may cause more damage to your system

Finad a good local con=mpany you can trust to install it for you - ask them to leave the installers instructions as well as the user instructions whe nthey are done