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Guide to Choosing a Thermostat for Your Boiler

Do you have local heating at home or at work and are thinking about how to reduce heating costs while maintaining the highest thermal comfort? The answer is room thermostats. Find out how to choose the right one.

What is a Room Thermostat and How Does it Work

There are several ways of heating regulation. The most common are thermostatic heads, which are mainly used in the case of district heating of apartment units. However, for family homes and local heating, it is highly recommended to use thermostats, which ensure a much more precise and stable temperature in the home even with fluctuating outdoor temperatures.

A room thermostat is a device that regulates the operation of the boiler and heating based on the temperature you choose. Basic models can only be set manually, while more advanced ones operate completely automatically and evaluate a range of data. The task of the heating thermostat is to increase thermal comfort in the home and reduce energy consumption.

When choosing a thermostat, first select the type and then focus on other parameters.  

Types of Room Thermostats

There are three basic types of thermostats:

Mechanical Thermostat for the Boiler

Mechanical thermostats represent the lowest range on the market. They are usually controlled by a dial, which you simply use to select the desired temperature. Based on the current measured temperature in the room, the thermostat then regulates the operation of the boiler and heating system to achieve the selected temperature. Their advantage over thermostatic heads is setting an exact and stable temperature in the room and easy control of all heating bodies from one place.

The disadvantage of mechanical heating thermostats is that you have to manually adjust the temperature each time, and they cannot be programmed for daily or weekly schedules or different temperatures for multiple rooms. A mechanical thermostat also lacks any sensors that would optimize the operation of the heating system.

Digital Room Thermostat

A digital thermostat features advanced software that can be programmed according to your individual needs and preferences. You can set different temperatures, for example, for times when you are not at home, for nighttime, and for evenings. This completely eliminates the need for manual temperature adjustments in the home throughout the day.

The only disadvantage is the need to program the digital thermostat before commissioning, which is best left to professionals.

Smart WiFi Thermostat

Smart room thermostats represent the highest range on the market. In addition to all the functions of a digital thermostat, these thermostats can also take into account weather forecasts, open windows, or the presence of people in the room. Smart thermostats can also be controlled via a mobile app, voice assistant, or smart home system.

Honeywell Evohome - smart heating

Smart Thermostat Honeywell

Other Criteria for Choosing a Suitable Room Thermostat

Once you have chosen the type of thermostat, focus on these additional criteria when selecting a specific model:

Number of Zones and Programmable Modes

Especially if you are looking for a thermostat for a family home, it is important to focus on the maximum number of zones. Single-zone thermostats do not take into account the different temperature needs for individual rooms in the house. So if you set, for example, a room temperature of 23 °C, the thermostat will unnecessarily maintain this temperature in all rooms, including those where you do not usually stay (utility room, staircase, entrance hall, etc.).

Another very effective way to minimize heating costs is through daily and weekly heating modes. To best accommodate your regular schedule, the thermostat should have at least 3 modes that you can easily switch between – for example, "workday" mode, "weekend" mode, and "holiday" mode. The programmed temperature can, of course, be easily changed at any time.

Sensors

An integral part of all thermostats are temperature sensors, which can be either room or floor sensors. For underfloor heating, their combination is optimal. If you have multiple temperature zones set in the house, you will also need more sensors for each zone separately.

In addition to temperature sensors, the most advanced thermostats also have other sensors, such as an open window sensor or a presence sensor. These sensors help the thermostat to better regulate the temperature based on the current situation.   

Control

All thermostats allow control directly on the control unit – in the case of mechanical ones, it is a dial or buttons, in the case of digital ones, a touchscreen. Some thermostats also have a GSM module, which allows control via SMS.

The most sought-after is control via a mobile app or web. This method allows you to control the thermostat from anywhere and at any time, which, in addition to unparalleled thermal comfort, also gives you complete control over energy consumption. However, keep in mind that in the case of control via a mobile app, the thermostat must be connected to the home WiFi, and the app on your phone will also need an internet connection.  

Wireless or Wired Thermostat  

Many people prefer wireless thermostat designs, mainly due to easy installation without the need for drilling. You can move wireless room thermostats, but in larger houses, be careful about their range to ensure communication with the switching unit and heat source is not interrupted.

Wired room thermostats are installed permanently, either on the plaster or in a flush-mounted box. In this case, a minor construction intervention is necessary.

Thermostats can be powered by batteries or from the mains. In the case of wireless WiFi thermostats, the portable control unit is usually battery-powered, and the switching unit is powered from the mains or directly from the boiler. Most thermostats are designed for 230 V voltage.

Additional Functions

Smart WiFi thermostats can have a range of smart functions that make your life easier and more enjoyable. Many of them offer, for example, the possibility of controlling air conditioning, ventilation, DHW heating, or shading technology, while others measure not only temperature but also humidity and can regulate it.  

The software of smart room thermostats evaluates a lot of data and provides you with clear statistics. Thanks to this, you will be able to adjust the programmed values for even greater savings in the household.

Construction of the Thermostat for the Boiler

The thermostat will become an integral part of your interior, so it should, of course, be made of durable material and have an elegant design. However, what many people forget is IP protection. If used in more humid rooms, such as the kitchen, entrance hall, or bathroom, choose IP21 protection.

Especially for families with children, a welcome additional function of the thermostat is a child lock, which prevents unwanted reprogramming of the thermostat.

Manufacturer, Compatibility with the Heating System, and Price

A quality and reputable manufacturer is not only a guarantee of longer lifespan and lower failure rate of the thermostat but also compatibility with various brands of boilers or heat sources. However, we always recommend verifying whether the thermostat you have chosen will be compatible with your boiler and heating system, especially if you are looking for a thermostat for underfloor heating.

A higher price in this case also means significantly higher savings. The return on investment in the most advanced Honeywell room thermostats with zone control is around 2 to 3 years, so when choosing a thermostat, we recommend not skimping and selecting a product that meets your expectations.