To what should the heat anticipator in a thermostat be set?

The heat anticipator in a thermostat is an important component designed to improve the accuracy of heating system control. Setting the heat anticipator to the correct value ensures that the thermostat can effectively manage the heating cycle, preventing overheating and maintaining a comfortable environment.

When the heat anticipator is set to the amperage draw of the control circuit, it allows the thermostat to account for the small amount of current drawn by the heating system's components, such as relays or gas valves. This setting helps the thermostat predict when to shut off the heating system before the actual temperature reaches the set point. By doing so, it avoids overshooting the desired temperature, thus enhancing comfort and reducing energy consumption.

This understanding highlights the importance of accurately measuring the control circuit's amperage draw, as it directly correlates to the thermostat's efficiency in managing heating operations. Therefore, appropriately setting the heat anticipator to the amperage draw of the control circuit aligns with the principles of effective and efficient heating system management.