Thermostat for 120V baseboard heat

[bluecomputer]

I need to replace a thermostat. The system is 120V baseboard heating and gas fueled. The problem is that my grandparents are elderly so we would like a non-programmable model that doesn't need batteries. I want it to work like the original mercury thermostat. The original thermostat is a two wire unit. However I don't know where to start looking.

 

[nehog]

Home Depot has them... Simple, round, easy to use. That assumes you are using a 24 volt controller to control the water in the baseboards.

Now, if those baseboards are electric, then 1. they are not 120 volt, they are 240 volt, and 1. you need a line voltage thermostat.

Your mentioning gas and electric leaves one 'confused' as to what you really have. I'm guessing forced hot water, right?

 

[curiousB]

The system is 120V baseboard heating and gas fueled.

I don't follow this. Are we talking about electric or gas heat?

If it is a built in electric baseboard heat it is usually a line thermostat that switches the 240VAC to the heater. You can use a 24VAC thermostat in these applications if you get a 24VAC contactor (relay) to switch the line load.

Unless you are a licenced electrician I wouldn't do this yourself. Electric heat has many restrictions in the NEC and unless you are working with these regulations routinely you'll likely miss a step or two.

 

[bluecomputer]

Sorry about that. Its forced hot water.

 

[nehog]

Sorry about that. Its forced hot water.

Standard 24 volt thermostats at Home Depot are what you are looking for. Was in the other day for my new thermostat and they have those 'retro' round ones, and as well a number of simple square models. They also have digital non-programmable versions.

 

[matt151617]

I have 2 of the old Honywell round ones (with the mercury inside) if you want them. They were going to be recycled, but if you have use for them, PM me.

 

[bluecomputer]

I'll try one of the simple square ones or the round ones. Thanks for the tips, I guess I will have to explain changing the batteries if the round one doesn't work out.

 

[VairKing]

The ones that run with batteries will run for a couple years on a fresh set of AAs. If you just plan on changing them once a year for them they would never have to think about it. Of course the old school round style may be better in every way in this instance.