Customer Reviews

Lux Products ELV4 Programmable Line Voltage Thermostat

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this thermostat (four of them actually) to replace four 28-year old analog thermostats controlling the baseboard heating in a condo I bought as a second home. These digital units immediately let me set temperatures without having to guess and constantly juggle to get a proper temperature as the old non-digital thermostats required. They hold temperatures within a nice narrow range (although they can be programmed via a dip switch to let temperatures fluctuate a bit more for possible energy savings) for each room. Installation was simple (note that you do want to cap off the second set of wires if you have a 120V system -- read the instructions and note how any existing thermostats are wired to make installation easy). The $2 faceplates which can be ordered separately seem to be necessary to get a finished look on the installation since the thermostats apparently do not mount flush to all boxes.

Each unit takes 2 batteries (AA) so get them before you install the unit. They recommend two major brands and no others -- probably a good idea to follow that suggestion. This is not a "rechargeable battery" setup.

I was looking for replacement digital double pole thermostats for my whole house and found that there seems to be a total of only two different digital thermostats made that work on double pole. I initially got the Honeywell for my living room, waiting to replace the rest of the house at a later time. Later I got the Lux ELV4 for the three bedrooms because of the overall price difference on three units. The things I noticed right away after installing the Lux is that the over all look of it was a lot less appealing. Not that any of these thermostats are really nice looking, but this one is just a little bigger and not as clean a design. Otherwise here are my pros and cons of this unit:
Cons:
- Very loud electric switch when it turns on and off. This may not seem to horrible but it's loud enough it wakes me up at night.
- No backlight, makes it hard to adjust in the middle of the night without having to turn on another light.
- Display is very tiny and quickly flashes between time and current temperature. No way to control if it only shows one or the other.
- Requires Batteries. The Honeywell works without batteries and is able to store the programmed setting even if it looses power.
- 5-2 Programming Only. Ok, no other programable double pole digital thermostat does anything other then 5-2 either but would be nice if one of them did.
Pros:
- Easy to install though recommend having some basic electrician tools (multi-meter or voltage tester) to ensure you know which lines are the load/power lines and correctly connect everything, especially in older homes.
- Easy to program
- Price.

It works well, but I guess you get what you pay for. If you really want a good unit save a few extra dollars and get the more expensive one.

This is a great in-line thermostat. I put 5 in my house just recently and they are easy to install, easy to program and work well. Some rooms are 120V and some are 240V and this worked on both. However, I also have ONE of the more expensive kind which go for about $55. The difference is that these ELV4's have a very loud relay that clicks when engaging and disengaging. Loud enough that if you are a light sleeper, you'd be disturbed by the relay click. I (just by dumb luck) happen to have the other-brand $55-dollar version in the master bedroom and it is silent. I never hear it at all. The Lux ELV4s I have in my family room, kitchen, basement and kids' bedrooms. The clicking doesn't seem to bother the kids at night, but I definitely notice it in the family room and kitchen.

The Lux is also not as attractive (or rather, more unattractive) than the other one, but none of them are nice to look at so who really cares anyway.

So, final word: Good, quality product. Handles 240 and 120 V systems. Works very well and is easy to use. Great price. Caveat: Loud relay.

Not being an electrician, my experience with thermostats is very limited. But having lived in the same apartment for 8 1/2 years and having had difficulty with regulating the inexpensive thermostats provided, I finally broke down and decided to buy my own, since I wanted to turn the heat down at night but not have the hassle of manually doing it.

I selected this brand because Consumer Reports recommended their low-voltage models and, with no other guide, I decided they probably also did a good job with the line voltage version. I've had them installed a couple of months now and, so far, have had no complaints. An experienced electrician has seen them since I installed them and, after looking them over, told me he was impressed with their quality.

I bought one and had problems, called and they gave me a few suggestions and it still didn't work...NO PROBLEM...they sent me a new one and a free return envelope.

The item itself works easily and as described. I bought three more so the whole house is programmed. I figure after the first winter,I'll be making money on the deal!

Thought I read all the reviews but missed the part about the switching noise. This unit makes a loud click when switching on and off. It bothered me enough that I returned the unit. It did work effectively.
Pros:
inexpensive
easy to install
easy to read instructions
looks good

Cons:
noisy
no backlighting
5-2 programming only

I bought 3 of these thermostats... all for bedrooms.

The reason I chose the Lux was because of the battery operation. I have a load management system installed in my home, and when they control my heat load, power is shut off to the thermostats as well as the heaters. Being battery controlled, the thermostat does not lose it's memory during load control times.

They seem to work very well. Nice warm bedrooms to go into at night, and the lowest possible utility bills because you don't have to remember to turn them down when you leave the room for the day.

The one things they could do to really improve this product, is to make a lighted display, and make it a true 7 day program. (All 5 week days must be programmed the same, as well as the 2 weekend days. I knew that when I bought it, so I cannot hold that against Lux.

Quite pleased with this thermostat. Seems fairly accurate and temperature latitude is much better (i.e. smaller) than on unit I replaced. Install was easy, programming straightforward. Only challenge was the back is deep and recesses into the junction box - required a little force and some finesse to get thermostat and wires to fit so unit flush with wall. Initially I was bothered by the screen where it flashes back and forth between time and ambient temperature but that was probably because I looked at it every time I walked past. Would prefer a 7 day programable unit not the 5-2 that this has but I knew this before purchasing. Can't speak to long term reliability as I've only had this about 3 weeks so far.

I am happy with this thermostat. It works well, is a good replacement for the non-programmable thermostate for my baseboard heaters.

Note that the on/off switch is behind the controls not on the side as described and pictured, to access it you must snap off the face plate. This is not a big deal for me because I only expect to use the shut-off switch as the seasons change. However if you intend to switch the thermostat/heater on and off a lot you should pick a different thermostat.

The manual states this, and the same is also printed on a sticker attached to the wiring:
WARNING: THIS THERMOSTAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH HEATING
APPLIANCES WHICH CONTAIN BOTH AN ELECTRIC HEATING ELEMENT
(RESISTIVE LOAD) AND A BLOWER FAN (INDUCTIVE LOAD) WITHIN
THE SAME DEVICE.

I read that as not being compatible with fan forced wall/baseboard heaters. Would have been nice if they would have stated that in the product description. Lux does list this information on their product page:
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