Hello -
Recently I had Lux digital thermostat replaced. After several attempts with Honeywell tstats -- that were cycling the death out of my furnace -- had contractor install White-Rodgers 1f56-444 mercury-style tstat. After devouring this site, I learned to adjust the heat anticipator to 1.2 A, to get longer cycles, which I am understanding is more efficient. I'd still like less cycles. (Currently if it's set at 62 F, it will kick on at 61.8 F, and turn off at 62.2.)

I recall the furnace cycling less with the old Lux. Is there a thermostat that gives you the ability to select longer, and less frequent cycles or ajdust the temp. differential?

All advice would be greatly appreciated.

Nothing more you can do with a mercury bulb stat. A good digital stat lets you set the CPH cycles per hour and differential, degree diference off and on.

Thanks for the input. Is there a specific digital thermostat that you had good experience with that allows a differential of 2 degrees or greater?

I tried a 70 series digital White-Rodgers, but apparently contractor and supply company could not figure out how to increase the differential. They concluded that digital was too sensitive to drafts in house and I was better off with mercury.

I like Honeywell, some of the other tech's don't. You must read the installers guide to set up these stats the way you need and want them to work. It needs to be a 2 stage heat model.

I like Honeywell, some of the other tech's don't. You must read the installers guide to set up these stats the way you need and want them to work. It needs to be a 2 stage heat model.

Thanks, NorthernHeat. I see a RobertShaw 2 stage digital that seems to fit the bill.

Why don't you try a thermostat with adaptive-intelligence, such as the Honeywell Vision Pro 8000. When you first install it, it will automatically turn itself on in the middle of the night, and sense how long it takes for it raise the temperature. It will do this several times until it determines what heat anticipator settings are correct for your environment. I do HVAC for a living, and this thermostat has proved itself in many situations. These thermostats can be a little pricey, so be sure not buy one that is overkill for your system. They come in many varieties such as single stage heat/cool and multi-stage.