How do I choose the right underfloor heating thermostat?
Choosing the right underfloor heating thermostat and controls is key to the success of your system, be it wet or electric When it comes to underfloor heating thermostats, your choice of control will depend on the type of underfloor heating you have installed.
Can I use a Nest Thermostat with electric underfloor heating?
Electric underfloor heating systems are high current systems and can be up to 16A and therefore you will need additional wiring and relays to use a thermostat such as Nest. However, the Nest Thermostat has no problem in controlling wet underfloor heating systems. There is also another key reason.
What temperature should my underfloor heating be set at?
With an electric underfloor heating system, the recommended maximum temperature to run it is 27 0 C. This is particularly important for wood or carpeted floors because any higher could result in damage to the floor finish.
What is the difference between hydronic and electric underfloor heating?
Whilst the answer is that it varies depending on your system and thermostat, the gist is: The Nest Thermostat range does support hydronic (water based) underfloor heating, whereas support for electric UFH is more limited. Plus Nest Thermostats can only control a single heating source, not multiple.
Where should I put my underfloor heating thermostat?
Ideally, the thermostat should be positioned in a place where it will be able to sense the average temperature in that area. It should not be in direct sunlight or in a draughty area. It should also not be placed near any appliances as they can emit heat, which could give false readings to the thermostat.
Can I use a regular thermostat for in floor heating?
Regular forced air heating thermostats are not well suited to operating radiant floor heating systems. These thermostats turn on the radiant floor when the air is below the temperature setting, and shut off when it's above the temperature setting.
What kind of thermostat do I need for floor heating?
A standard programmable floor sensing thermostat (TH115-AF-120S or 240S) is the most popular choice among customers who use HeatTech electric in-floor heating system. A programmable thermostat is designed to allow user to pre-set desired temperatures throughout each day of the week using (4) time settings per day.
Does underfloor heating stay on all the time?
It is advised that in the depths of winter, an underfloor heating system should be kept on at all times. Although it should be at different temperatures depending on usage and activity in the house. This is because underfloor heating can take two to three hours to warm up, so it is best to not completely turn it off.
How do in floor heat thermostats work?
These thermostats turn on the radiant floor when the air is below the temperature setting, and shut off when it's above the temperature setting. The result is the floor tends to shoot past the air heating temperature when heating and then does not turn back on until the floor temperature is cold.
How do you control temperature on radiant floor heat?
There are two ways a thermostat can be used to control a radiant floor. Either an air sensor can be used to control the air temperature or a slab sensor can be used to control the floor temperature. An air sensor measures the air temperature in the space where the radiant floor is located.
How do you install a heated floor thermostat?
0:102:07Wiring a Floor Heating Thermostat for Radiant Systems - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what we're going to do is we're going to connect the two wires from the floor and connect them toMoreSo what we're going to do is we're going to connect the two wires from the floor and connect them to the two wires. That are labeled load. On the back of the thermostat.
Does radiant floor heating have a thermostat?
The temperature and heat schedule of the system is controlled and managed using a dedicated thermostat.
What is the best temperature for radiant floor heat?
Typical Radiant Heat Floor System Operating Temperatures A radiant heat system manufacturer, Radiant Floor Company, opines that 120 to 135 deg F is "ideal" and most sources we have found discuss typical radiant heat operating temperatures in the 115-135 degree range.
Why is my underfloor heating so expensive to run?
Room Insulation & W/m² Used It's not just floor insulation you need to consider when fitting an underfloor heating system. Inadequate room insulation is a primary cause of higher running costs, because draughty rooms lose heat much quicker than rooms with insulation up to modern standards.
Should the floor feel warm with underfloor heating?
As a general rule of thumb, your heated floor shouldn't feel hot - it should just not feel cold.
Is underfloor heating very expensive to run?
Looking at the table above, electric underfloor heating is definitely not as expensive to run as many people think. So, for that perfectly warm and comfortable bathroom at home, it is cheaper to run electric underfloor heating compared with a washing machine, kettle, electric shower and a whole lot more.
Can you use a programmable thermostat with radiant heat?
The Aube by Honeywell Hydronic Heating 7-Day Programmable Thermostat is a fantastic option for a multifunctional thermostat. It's programmable, and it works with underfloor hydronic, boiler, line-voltage, radiant, and even millivolt gas fireplace heating systems.
Can you use a smart thermostat with radiant heat?
Most smart thermostats are designed for forced air heating and not for radiant hydronic systems.
What is the best temperature for radiant floor heat?
Typical Radiant Heat Floor System Operating Temperatures A radiant heat system manufacturer, Radiant Floor Company, opines that 120 to 135 deg F is "ideal" and most sources we have found discuss typical radiant heat operating temperatures in the 115-135 degree range.
How do you install a heated floor thermostat?
0:102:07Wiring a Floor Heating Thermostat for Radiant Systems - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what we're going to do is we're going to connect the two wires from the floor and connect them toMoreSo what we're going to do is we're going to connect the two wires from the floor and connect them to the two wires. That are labeled load. On the back of the thermostat.
Underfloor heating compatible thermostats
There are so many thermostats out there, how do you know which one to buy? Firstly, not all thermostats work with an electric underfloor heating system. Some simply control your central heating but there are others out there that can do both.
What type of underfloor heating thermostats are there?
Manual Manual underfloor heating thermostats are basic controls and do not have much impact on reducing your energy bills. Manual underfloor heating thermostats have limited functionality such as a simple on/off, temperature adjustment and built in ambient and floor sensors.
The importance of Lot 20
Lot 20 was introduced in January 2018 and is an Ecodesign legislation from the EU and possibly the most significant change within the electric heating industry. It was introduced to help drive a reduction in wasted energy and to help meet carbon reduction targets.
Which underfloor heating thermostat will you choose?
Identifying what type of person you are will help you choose the right thermostat to match your lifestyle and preferences.
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Does Underfloor Heating work with a Smart Thermostat?
Digital thermostats control the circuit using a thermometer that shuts down the boiler when the desired temperature is reached. Smart thermostats allow you remote control. In addition to a wired connection to your boiler, smart thermostats also connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network.
Can both water and electric underfloor heating systems be controlled by a Smart Thermostat?
As a general rule, hydronic underfloor heating systems are hooked into your hot water-based central heating system as usual, so it’s just one part of your larger heating system. When there are multiple zones in UFH, the manifold-based system is used. A smart thermostat and heat link are required for each zone.
How much does a Smart Thermostat cost?
When comparing smart thermostats, price is sure to be a deciding factor. Between the Nest Learning Thermostat and Hive Active Heating, there isn’t much difference. The cost of a Hive thermostat may end up being more than the average starting price.
Do you need more than one smart thermostat for each heating system in your home?
You can also have a single smart thermostat if you have the same boiler supplying heat in the house and there are no multi zones (for example, large homes). One thermostat may control some or all of the functions of another thermostat in some zoned systems.
Conclusion – Main Considerations connecting a smart thermostat to an underfloor heating system
With smart thermostats, a property’s underfloor heating system and hot water can be controlled at any time and anywhere via an Android or Apple smartphone or tablet. It is possible for some thermostat models to not work with electric underfloor heating but they will work perfectly with water underfloor heating.
Not all thermostats work with underfloor heating
When trawling through the internet you’ll probably find mixed opinion on what type of thermostats work with underfloor heating systems . Some thermostats are simply for a traditional central heating system, some can do both (with help of clever wiring from an electrician) and others only control underfloor heating.
What range of underfloor heating thermostats are available?
When choosing a thermostat to control your underfloor heating, there is such a wide range of functionality, design, size and even colour to choose from. As mentioned previously, it really boils down to what type of thermostat is best suited to your lifestyle. More about that later.
I hear a lot about Lot 20 compliance, but what does it mean?
Way back in January 2018 LOT 20 was introduced. It is a piece of legislation which comes from the European Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) and was a significant change within the electric heating industry.
So, which is the best underfloor heating thermostat for you?
As mentioned right at the beginning of this article, it’s all about lifestyle. No matter your lifestyle, there’s an underfloor heating thermostat for you.
A final top tip before you buy!
Before fully committing to your thermostat purchase, why not check out the reviews from Trustpilot because it will give you a good flavour of what thermostats homeowners and installers like, dislike and why.
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ThermoSphere needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.
What is the number to call for an underfloor heating thermostat?
However, if you’re still unsure as to which thermostat to purchase for use with your UFH system or would just like some further advice then then you can always give our friendly customer services team a call on 01782 223822 or use our live chat function on the website.
What is a basic thermostat?
Generally quite basic in terms of the functionality offered, this type of thermostat is limited to controlling temperature, timed operation cycles, and pre- empt functions that heat up floors to a pre-determined temperature chosen by the user. Functionality will vary between brands and models but these are the basic modes that you will find across the board.
What is a capacitive touch screen thermostat?
Offering similar functionality as standard digital thermostats, this type of device is usually more aesthetically pleasing and features a full capacitive touch screen that makes operation more user-intuitive. Different modes and features are navigated to within a simple interface and an easy to use operating system makes programming timed cycles and other features as easy as setting a calendar reminder on a smartphone.
Can one thermostat control UFH?
The amount of UFH (in terms of power rating) that can be installed and controlled by one singular thermostat is limited. The table below provides a general outline of what is permissible.
Can a wireless thermostat be controlled remotely?
This type of thermostat sits at the higher end of the scale and is packed full of functionality that makes controlling your UFH system remotely incredibly simple. Designed to fully integrate with the connected home, Wi-Fi Enabled Thermostats can be connected to a home network (usually via WPS) and the heating controlled via a smartphone or tablet using an app. Some variants are also Bluetooth enabled and can be controlled by a remote.
Can you use a thermostat with a cable?
Most thermostats designed for use with Electric Mat Kits can also be used with Cable Kits, although it’s always advisable to check the manufacturer’s instructions before purchasing a thermostat to use with your particular system.
Is a thermostat part P or P?
As such, this part of the job should only be carried out by a qualified professional. Electricians appointed to carry out this task should also be PART P qualified, so please do check the credentials of any tradesperson before having them carry out the job.
How does underfloor heating work?
Hydronic based underfloor heating systems can work by running pipework off your central heating system, and under the floor: Hydronic underfloor heating, with pipes going under the floor. Each pipe is fairly small and is often laid into an insulation grid ...
Why is underfloor heating important?
This is really useful because underfloor heating relies on slow-and-steady heating to heat a room, introducing heat from below that brings the temperature up more gradually than with forced air and other heating systems.
How long does it take for a Nest thermostat to warm up?
So instead your Nest thermostat will learn that there’s actually a 1.5 hour ‘warm up time’ with your underfloor heating, turning the heating on at 4:30pm instead (for example), so that your house is sufficiently warmed by 6pm.
How to check if Nest thermostat is working?
However there are a few things that you need to be careful of before buying the Nest thermostat: 1 Firstly, even though it should work fine with your electric underfloor heating, just double check Nest’s compatibility page to make sure. 2 As mentioned earlier, if you have a multi-zone or dual-fuel heating system, you’ll probably need multiple Nest thermostats. 3 The Nest Thermostat requires 20-30V, so if your electric heating system is high voltage (such as 110V or above), it either won’t be compatible or you’ll need a step down transformer fitted.
What is hydronic underfloor heating?
Hydronic underfloor heating, with pipes going under the floor. Each pipe is fairly small and is often laid into an insulation grid with pre-cut holes for the pipes (this isn’t shown above). This allows the heat to remain for as long as possible, whilst also providing stability to the floor.
What type of fuel does a Nest thermostat use?
Google Nest thermostats are designed to work with most 24V systems, even older systems. They work with all common fuel types including natural gas, oil, and electricity.
How much does Nest save on heating?
Nest have previously calculated an expected saving of $131-$145 each year on the heating aspects of your bills. You can also turn your heating on or off (and up and down) using a smartphone app or your voice (via a smart speaker such as Google Home) which is also useful. Finally. Nest is compatible with a wide range of heating and cooling systems.
What temperature should an underfloor heating system be?
Considering all this, many underfloor heating owners operate their systems at between 23 to 27°C (73-80 degrees Fahrenheit) for background heating and up to 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) for periods of active warming. This is a sliding scale and mostly all residencies having underfloor heating operate at around these values. Though this is not a set rule as extreme weathers can lead to this value being completely ignored, and yet that is the better option.
What is the maximum temperature of water used for underfloor heating?
Hydronic or water underfloor heating systems use warm water to heat up the floor. This water is heated to a max value of 50°C, as this is not at boiling level, there is no risk of burning or damaging of floor in case of breaks. The pex pipe used to transport this water is almost leak proof as this is a joint-less setup and no pressure points exist within the pipe.
How long does it take for an underfloor heating system to heat up?
Electric underfloor heating takes close to an hour to heat up the room, this is why heating at a moderate temperature still gives a cozy feel around the room. The wire in the under-floor heating can heat up to around 80°C.
How does an electric underfloor heating system work?
An electric underfloor heating system works on the principle of heated wires that conduct heat through the floor. Water or hydronic underfloor heating systems are based on heated water flowing through the pex pipes under the floor to heat up the floor by transfer of heat. This is better than a radiator as it will provide more uniform heating of the whole room, rather than one hot area and one cooler.
How long does it take for water to heat up under floor heating?
Water underfloor heating systems require 2 to 3 hours to heat up the room. This is because the water pumping through the pex pipes under the floor is nowhere near as hot as the wires in electric underfloor systems. Yet, this system is more economicalto run.
Does underfloor heating have a higher potential than the room?
Underfloor heating slowly radiates heat upward into the room, this means that the underfloor heating temperature should be at a higher potential than the room. Many things factor into the equation, the ventilation, insulation of the room, quality of conduction through the floor and the ability of the floor to retain humidity etc. The ideal temperature for a room is a theoretical concept, that is because the temperature varies from season to season, so keeping in mind that the temperature of the room will change over time, a temperature range was needed that could be applied at all times.
Can underfloor heating be used on a floor?
Yes, the underfloor heating is able to turn the floor a little warm to the touch by the continuous heat dissipation from the heating system. As the underfloor heating is installed to give a nice cozy feel to the residence, the flooring can heat up to a level that can be categorized as warm.
