Trane ComfortLink II Thermostat Review
Trane ComfortLink II Thermostat Features
This feature-rich product is a very different kind of thermostat. It comes with a 7-inch HD touchscreen display that resembles a smart phone or tablet. The screen can be used for advanced programming that allows you to incredible control over your indoor climate. It starts with precise temperature control without noticeable fluctuation. This is achieved by having your system run at a lower speed for a longer period of time, an approach that actually leads to system longevity.
In addition to temperature, the Trane ComfortLink II Thermostat offers exact control over humidity and air filtration. It does this through more consistent airflow that more effectively removes humidity from the air when cooling and adds humidity when heating if a humidifier is installed in the furnace or air handler. The more air circulates, the better it will be filtered or purified as well. Your furnace or air handler will run on low speed most of the time, keeping operating sound to a minimum. In addition, if your ductwork is equipped for zones, this controller allows room by room control of heating and air conditioning.
What else can the Trane ComfortLink II Thermostat do? It connects to the internet to provide 5-day weather forecasts so you can plan your activities and your wardrobe. It will track your system’s energy use from month to month and year to year so that you can compare energy consumption over time. All of this capability places this thermostat in the top 2 or 3 on the market.
Drawbacks to the Trane ComfortLink II Thermostat
The biggest concern for many homeowners is the cost of the Trane ComfortLink II Thermostat. Many simply won’t want to spend the money for it. In addition, some HVAC systems aren’t equipped to make full use of this thermostat. To get the full benefit of it, the HVAC system needs to be equipped with communicating technology, a variable-speed blower, a 2-speed compressor in the condensing unit and ductwork equipped with zone capabilities.
Conclusion
If your current HVAC system, or one you are planning, includes high-performance features, then the Trane ComfortLink II Thermostat will allow you to get the best performance from them. It provides customizable control over every aspect of your home’s climate. The Trane ComfortLink II Thermostat is an excellent choice for homeowners who want precise indoor comfort along with the greatest energy savings.
so how much $$ is this unit??
Just installed the thermostat with a brand new HVAC today. The ComfortLink was very easy for me to set up. The wireless configuration is better than most other devices that I’ve used in the past and the internet-based features work very fast. Most everything is snappy except for setting a schedule which can take upwards of a minute to save settings.
The only downside is one of the reasons I wanted this unit in the first place. The web-based remote management is a fee-based service. I’m not going to pay $9/month for a service that I’ll use once or twice per year. I have many other devices on my network that I can manage over the internet including my PCs and my surveillance system which all provide this service as a free feature.
Still, though I’m really disappointed with this bait-and-switch, I do not plan on returning this unit for this reason alone.
Ditto, bait and switch. Did not know you had to pay to use remote control from phone or laptop. Since have found others that are FREE, check them out. Another instance of IR killing a good company