What is the Difference Between a Single Pole and Double Pole Thermostat?

You may be interested in replacing or upgrading your heater for the winter season or you might just need a new thermostat this season.

If this is the case, it's important to know the difference between a single pole and double pole thermostat.

While both types of temperature controls are line voltage thermostats, there are a few things to consider that can make all the difference when selecting the right thermostat for your heater.

In the electrical industry, the term "pole" refers to the number of separate circuits that the switch (or thermostat) operates off one circuit.

A single pole thermostat operates off one circuit, and therefore cannot operate separately. This means the power to the unit can only operate in one direction or electrical current. Because of this the single pole thermostat cannot be turned off, but only turned down.

A double pole circuit, however, has two directional currents providing a double pole thermostat the ability to turn off completely.

Line voltage is the standard, everyday 120V that is found in your outlets, junction boxes, and sockets. Items like table lamps, ceiling fans, and ceiling fixtures all run off a 120V line voltage circuit.

A line voltage thermostat is not any different from these devices and can be directly wired to the circuit without the use of a transformer to reduce the voltage.

When determining whether you need a single pole thermostat or a double pole thermostat, the decision comes down to energy consumption.

In the old days, leaving your thermostat on "low" was thought to be much cheaper in terms of reducing energy costs rather than turning it off and on when needed. However, it is much more energy efficient to turn your heater off whenever it is not in use to cut back on energy costs.

If you go with a single pole thermostat to turn your heater off completely, you would need to disconnect the main power supply, or unplug your unit when applicable. In addition, the heater will turn on if there is a dip in the room’s temperature even if the thermostat is at its lowest setting.

To turn a heater off with a double pole thermostat, all you would need to do is select the "off" button when you do not need to operate the unit.

Sometimes your power supply is at a hard to reach location or could be on your panel box outside. If this is the case you may enjoy the convenience of having the thermostat on a wall inside your home to easily access the “off” setting.

If you're still uncertain about which control is right for your home, reach out to our customer service team for any additional questions by calling 1-888-616-3532.