Thermostat display system providing animated icons

A thermostat for controlling heating and/or cooling equipment, comprising:

• a user display screen for displaying operational information about the heating and/or cooling equipment controlled by the thermostat;
• wherein the thermostat displays at least one animated visual indication of operation of at least one of the heating and/or cooling equipment on the user display, the animated visual indication comprising a first icon positioned on the user display in a first orientation and a second icon positioned on the user display in a second orientation differing slightly from the first orientation, the thermostat alternatively displaying the first icon and the second icon;
• wherein the first icon is replaced with the second icon at a predetermined frequency;
• and
• wherein the predetermined frequency is user programmable.