The heating thermostat is a device which primary function is to provide the right room temperature all the time. It controls heating and air-conditioning systems in your house or office. Besides its main function, the heating thermostat has many other functions depending on the model that you choose by your personal priorities. Most of the people have no idea how heating thermostat actually works but you will be surprised how simple it is.
First, I would like to mention that most of the modern thermostats are totally or partly digital, but in the past there were non-digital. In a non-digital thermostat, there are two types of thermometers – the one that displays temperature in the cover of the thermostat and the other one that controls cooling and heating systems which are situated in the top layer of the thermostat.
When we talk about digital thermostats, its working principle is similar but provided by modern technology and with much more functions than non-digital ones. It uses a device called thermistor to measure temperature. To be more precise, it is a resistor that provides changing electrical resistance with temperature. The micro-controller can measure the resistance and change it to temperature.
The best way to show you their work principle and types I want to show you on actual models. That is why I decided to explore the top 5 types of heating thermostats and you might find the one you are looking for in my reviews below!
5 Most Interesting Heating Thermostat Models
Honeywell RTH3100C1002/E1 Digital Heat Pump Thermostat
Each heat pump thermostat has one additional setting for emergency heat besides regular heat, cool and off settings. Heat is being pulled from the outside air by the heat pump. If you use ground source heat pump then it pulls heat from the ground. Either way, lower the temperatures are the heat pump will pull less heat inside. In the end, it won’t be possible and you will need supplemental heat.
The supplemental heat source can be electric resistance heat or furnace. Electric resistance is more common and typical for modern electric homes while the furnace is typical for homes with fuel oil, propane or natural gas. Emergency heat is, as its name says, only for emergencies and if you decide to use it you need to know that you will pay more to heat your entire home. The biggest mistake people make by using heat pump thermostats is that they choose emergency heat instead of supplemental heat. The reason for making that this expensive mistake is usually lack of knowledge about how it actually works so I would like you to pay close attention to what I previously wrote.
The first thermostat I want to share with you is a model made by Honeywell and it is a heat pump thermostat, which means it is only made to control the heat pumps. This model comes in white color so it will fit on your wall nicely, it won’t stand out. Now, when it comes to dimensions, it is a small device with well-set controls so you can easily adjust the temperature and other settings on it.
This heat pump thermostat has dimensions 1.5×5.4×3.8 inches which is a regular size for the most heating thermostat on the market. Everything you set is clearly visible on the backlit display so you don’t have to turn the lights up if you want to change the temperature in the dark, for example during the night. The device is battery operated and you need 2 AA batteries for it to work, but since it doesn’t have a good battery indicator, I suggest you have a spare pair near the thermostat all the time.
- Backlit display
- non-programmable
- no batteries included
- emergency heat
- white color
Honeywell TH1100DV1000 Pro-Digital 2-Wire Heat Only
Heat only thermostat is non-programmable and has a low-voltage thermostat which can heat the air temperature but it cannot cool it down. Considering its one function, there are 2 wires on this thermostat. It has a white wire for heating and red wire for power. When the right temperature is reached there is no more connection between these two wires so it can turn off. What is more, heat only thermostat also has a common wire or shortly called a C-wire which function is the power source of the thermostat. Its main use is for house heating during winter time cause it can only warm up the air.
This Honeywell model also has an adjustable temperature from 40 to 90°F and temperature control is constant. It is very simple to use thanks to its well visible backlit display and easy to use buttons so you can even read it from the other side of the room. Also, it is not too big (6 x 5 x 4 inches) and it comes in white color. You will need 2 AAA batteries for this thermostat so make sure to have some because they don’t come with the product. The main difference between this model of the thermostat and the previous one is that this Honeywell model is heated only which means it can’t make your room temperature lower, just higher.
- non-programmable
- low-voltage
- heat only
- one color
- easy-to-read display
Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Thermostat
Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Thermostat provides a comforting effect that can be compared with feeling the sun on your skin. This is something that traditional convection technologies can’t offer which makes it the main advantage for this type of thermostat. It is thermostat-controlled heater so walls and other surfaces are warmer and it doesn’t warm air directly. Thanks to radiant heat technology air never get dry, just opposite; it gives you a pleasant and well-being feeling. Furthermore, it gives you the opportunity to save energy and your money better than other types of the thermostat.
With easy-to-read instructions, Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi thermostat installation would not take more than half an hour. To make your life easier you can control it by using remote or smartphone application. As a proof of high energy saving level, it has Energy Star certification. Its dimensions are 3.8 x 5.9 x 1 inches and it comes together with a free mobile app, 2 AA batteries, mounting hardware, wire stickers, welcome and installation guide and 3 years warranty.
It is healthy because it keeps the room free of dust which is especially great for allergy sufferers. Also, it is eco-friendly because there is no carbon dioxide emission. If you like to enjoy a peaceful environment this type of thermostat is perfect for you because it makes zero noise while working. In addition, it has high safety standards because it only heats in temperature interval from 75°C to 95°C.
The main advantage of is probably its programmability. You can turn it on while you are home and also turn it off when you are gone. This function gives you control to hit the right room temperature all the time. The whole system is maybe a bit more expensive than others but you can also spare much money on its high energy-saving level.
- Batteries included
- Wi-Fi enabled
- free mobile programmable
- eco-friendly
- doesn’t dry out air
Nest (T3007ES) Learning Thermostat
Nest Learning Thermostat is an extremely modern model that can easily control the temperature in every room in your house for and it even has voice control. You will not have a problem with reading from it because it has a digital display that you can change in the way you like the most which mean you can change its display color, letter font and you can turn on or off the light. This model comes in four different colors: copper, stainless steel, black, and white so it can fit in any room. We can categorize it as a small one because its dimensions are 3.3 x 1.2 x 3.3 inches.
Every easy-heat thermostat is, as its name says, simple and convenient to use with floor warming heating cable systems. It has responsive buttons and intuitive feedbacks simplify operation. It is programmable which makes your life much easier. You can choose the right options and the easy-heat thermostat will provide your right room temperature all the time.
Nest Learning Thermostat is money saving and eco-friendly type of thermostat. It doesn’t need to turn on all the time which definitely saves your money. Long lasting high temperature and constant working will not destroy it because it has high overheating resistance.
Thermostat heater is very convenient for emergency services such as ambulances and police vehicles because it is always ready to start working. This purpose also requests some additional safety and security so it usually S-marked. It is battery powered so you will need 1 CR2 battery which is not included so keep in mind to buy batteries too. If you need luxury and fashionable solution for your home, the Nest Learning Thermostat will decently take your breath away.
- Responsive buttons
- multiple colors
- voice control
- large digital display
- saves you money
Orbit 83521 Clear Comfort Programmable Thermostat
Orbit 83521 Clear Comfort Programmable Thermostat gives you the possibility to program each day individually, up to 7 days and you can also copy program you created form one day to another. Also, Orbit 83521 Clear Comfort Programmable Thermostat comes in white color and it has a large well visible display. It seems a bit complicated to operate with because it has so many options but once you catch up instructions you will not have any problem with it. Its dimensions are 1.5 x 5 x 3 inches and it requires batteries which are not included.
In definition, hot water thermostat is the type of thermostat that we use with conventional boilers with a separate hot water tank. It is probably the most familiar kind of thermostat cause we pay attention to a temperature that it shows every time we are about to take a shower or just use hot water from our boiler. Hot water thermostat has graphs monitor where we can see current water temperature usage and its efficiency of heating the water on required temperature.
- Programmable
- one color
- Well-visible display
- no batteries included
- complicated to operate
Conclusion
To sum it up, every heating thermostat has its own advantages. Heat pump thermostat, such as the first Honeywell model, uses supplemental heating when it is needed and it also has emergency heat for special occasions. Heat only thermostat, such as the second Honeywell model, is the perfect solution for a small room that should be heated separately from the rest of the house but its main disadvantage is that it is non-programmable. Thermostat controlled heater, such as the Emerson model, is quite opposite because its main advantage is high programmability and the fact you can control every single part of the system. It is maybe a bit expensive but with its maximal energy saving level, you will get your money back over the years. You can also use it as ceiling heat thermostat to warm up the surface of the ceiling which warms up the air. Easy-heat thermostat, such as Orbit thermostat, is simple use one and that is why it is ideal for beginners and also for emergencies.