Final answer:
A heating anticipator is a component within a thermostat that helps regulate the heating cycle, preventing the temperature from overshooting the setpoint by shutting off the heat early.
Step-by-step explanation:
A heating anticipator is a device within a mechanical thermostat used to regulate the on/off cycle of your heating system more precisely and prevent system overshooting of the desired temperature setpoint. Its main goal is to shut off the heat just before the space reaches the set temperature, knowing that residual heat will continue to warm the space a little further. This anticipation helps to maintain a more consistent room temperature and minimizes the overshooting phenomenon which might otherwise lead to discomfort or unnecessary energy usage.