
When you are spending money to set up your new radiant underfloor heating system it makes sense that you would want to save a few bucks.
You’re probably wondering if you can skip the new thermostat and use your old one and save money and hassle.
Well, the answer is that is a possibility, but it may not be.
My personal philosophy is to always use the right gear for its intended purpose. You’ll get more out of your system that way.
In my opinion, you should use the right kind of thermostat for your radiant floor heating especially if it is hydronic.
In this article, I wrote up a detailed buyer’s guide to help you pick the right smart thermostat and then followed it up with the top 5 best thermostats for your needs.
Read on to learn the details but if you don’t have time check out the table below to compare them side by side.
# | Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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1 |
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Mysa Smart Thermostat for Electric in-Floor Heating | 43 Reviews | $239.00 $199.00 | Check It Out On Amazon |
2 |
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OJ Microline UWG4 Wi-Fi Radiant Floor Heating Wi-Fi Touchscreen Thermostat | 3 Reviews | $239.00 $199.00 | Check It Out On Amazon |
3 |
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10 Sqft Mat, Electric Radiant Floor Heat Heating System with Aube Digital Floor Sensing Thermostat | 448 Reviews | $139.00 | Check It Out On Amazon |
4 |
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OJ Microline Electric Radiant Floor Heating Thermostat, Wifi Programmable Thermostat with GFCI, Dual... | 10 Reviews | $187.00 | Check It Out On Amazon |
In this article:
- Do you need a special thermostat for your radiant floor heating?
- Electric vs Hydronic
- Do smart thermostats work with radiant heat?
- Best wifi thermostats for hydronic radiant floor heating
- Best Overall – Honeywell Home T9 WIFI Smart Thermostat
- Most Popular – Nest (T3007ES) Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen
- H3 Best For Luxury – ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control
- Best Budget Option – Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
- Best Compatibility – Bosch BCC100 Connected Control Smart Phone Wi-Fi Thermostat
- Conclusion
Do you need a special thermostat for your radiant floor heating?
You really do need a special thermostat as the ones that work the best measure the temperature of the floor and in the air to make sure that the floor is not getting dangerously hot while it heats. If you only are measuring air temperature then the floor heating system could overshoot the temperature and be way too hot to the touch until it reaches the thermostat sensors.
With a smart thermostat, you have far more control than with a traditional thermostat. Radiant floor heating is not complicated, but since it is slow to heat it is best if you can program it with more accuracy. That’s what you get with the right thermostat for the job.
You can even use sensors to know when somebody leaves the room so it shuts off on its own. And you can also turn it on remotely through an app so it is warm when you get home if you come back when it isn’t normally scheduled to go on.
There are a lot of benefits including energy savings. It just makes sense to have one if you go for infloor heating.
Make sure you have the right thermostat for your heater by reading the full article here!
Electric vs Hydronic
Hydronic floor heating simply means that it uses circulated hot water. The term can refer to baseboard heat or even a heat fan that has a pipe with hot water that radiates heat. In our case, it is a closed-loop system in which a boiler or water heater circulates the hot water through a series of PEX tubing underneath the flooring.
Check It Out!
If you don’t have your water heater for your radiant floor sorted out yet then check out this article on whether you should use a water heater or boiler!
An electrical system uses heat conducting mats with coils that heat up by using electricity. They use resistance to produce the heat and are wrapped in a polymer for safety.
Usually, the mat and thermostat come together as they are part of the same system. If you are looking into an electric radiant floor heating system then half of your job is already done. You likely don’t need to use your old thermostat or buy a special one for the job.
# | Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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1 |
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LuxHeat 45 Sqft Mat Kit, 120v Electric Radiant Floor Heating System for Under tile, Stone and... | 9 Reviews | $418.00 $309.00 | Check It Out On Amazon |
2 |
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20 Sqft Electric Floor Heating System with Required GFCI Programmable Thermostat 120V | $199.00 | Check It Out On Amazon | |
3 |
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LuxHeat 180 Sqft Mat Kit (240v) Electric Radiant Floor heating system for under tile, stone &... | 1 Reviews | $1,268.00 $939.00 | Check It Out On Amazon |
Do smart thermostats work with radiant heat?
Most smart thermostats are designed for forced air heating and not for radiant hydronic systems.
Now that radiant floor heating is becoming more popular for its efficiency and effective house heating, they are starting to adjust to the demand.
What makes it difficult is that radiant floor heating systems take longer to heat up and sometimes require two stage heating. Even if the thermostat can control two stages, sometimes the boiler used doesn’t.
Houses with different zones also present a challenge and usually require multiple thermostats and sensors.
The best smart thermostats work with a floor sensor that can adjust the temperature more accurately and avoid overshooting the desired temperature. This is both safer and more efficient.
Best wifi thermostats for hydronic radiant floor heating
Best Overall – Honeywell Home T9 WIFI Smart Thermostat
- LIVE AND SLEEP SMARTER. Choose the temperature in a specific room, like the...
- AMAZING SENSOR RANGE. The battery powered Smart Room Sensors utilize unique...
- MULTI-ROOM FOCUS. Don’t be forced to choose one room over another, the T9...
- SAVE MONEY AND ENERGY. Adjust your thermostat from anywhere with your...
- SMART RESPONSE AND ALERTS. Intelligently learns your home’s heating and...
You can see some of the key features in the box above, but here are some more details.
The T9 has multi room capability so you can set the temperature for each room individually. You can set different times for each room besides just the temperature.
If there is nobody on the upper floors during the daytime then there is no use in heating the floor there. Just add a sensor for each room that has the radiant heat to create a different setting for each. (NB: This only comes with one sensor so you will need to order more for each additional room!)
Geofencing can also be added so when you are home it is picked up by your phone entering the zone. The heat can kick on at that point so it doesn’t need to be turned on if you arrive at a time that hasn’t already been programmed.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Works with Alexa, Cortana, and Google voice commands
- Has multi zone capability
- Supports geofencing
- Tracks your heating trends
Cons
- Requires C wire
- Can’t change brightness of display
Specifications:
- Size: 4.9 by 3.7 by 0.9 inches
- 3.3 inch touch screen display
- 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual band wifi
- Comes with C-wire adaptor
- Controls cooling as well as heating
Most Popular – Nest (T3007ES) Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen
- Meet the 3rd gen Nest Learning Thermostat. It has new rings and a big,...
- Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen (Stainless Steel)
- Control Temperature from Smart Devices, 2.1" (480 x 480) LCD Display
- INCLUDED IN THE BOX: Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation, Stainless...
- BUNDLE INCLUDES: Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen (Stainless Steel) - Deco...
Though this is not the best smart thermostat for radiant floor heating it is easily the most popular. This 3rd generation Nest does do a great job and is easy to use, but it doesn’t have quite the sensitivity and accuracy of the Honeywell T9 reviewed above.
This latest generation does have multi zone capability that was not available previously so that is a nice bonus. You can put sensors in different areas of the house and heat accordingly.
The AI algorithm will help you track your usage and actual movements to know when and where you need heat the most. The sensors can tell how much time you spend in each area of the house and will preemptively heat those areas at the times it feels it is needed. It does not monitor the temperature in those rooms however.
This saves you money as you aren’t overheating an area because it is taking too long to heat up. This is especially helpful when you have radiant floor heating as it can take a while to heat up.
You can check to see if it is going to work with your boiler or water heater by clicking here and going through the questionnaire.
Pros
- Saves up to 12% on heating bills
- Multi zone capability
- Works with Alexa, Google Home
- Easy to read display
- AI algorithm works when you need it
Cons
- Needs a C-wire
- Doesn’t monitor temperature in other zones
Specifications:
- Size: 2x2x2 inches
- Digital touchscreen display
- Can be adjusted manually when internet is out
- No batteries required
- Energy Star certified
H3 Best For Luxury – ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control
- Place SmartSensor in the most important room, like your bedroom, child’s...
- Smart Home & Away detects your presence and automatically adjusts the...
- Time of Use cools or heats your home during times when energy is less...
- Named “Best Overall Smart Thermostat” by Tom’s Guide
- Take control of your temperature from anywhere with the ecobee app
This is an expensive thermostat, no doubt about it. But it helps to have when you are using it for radiant heat in a few ways.
It is much more accurate and programmable than the Nest and is close in terms of the Honeywell T9.
I’ll get into the bells and whistles in a second, but first let me say why it works well with radiant floor heating. It supports 2 stage heaters like a boiler or heat pump so it can help you heat a room effectively without overcompensating.
If you have multiple heating systems in your house then this is essential for that as well.
Now, if you love having many different applications at your fingertips, or even the tip of your tongue with voice, then you will love how much you can do with your ecobee thermostat.
It works on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi so if you are on a dual band router then you are all set there. Many smart homes are using these dual band routers so this is good even if you don’t think you need it as you may one day in the near future.
It uses Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri voice integrations to control but really excels with Alexa and even has an Alexa speaker if you want to listen to music or podcasts from it. It will only access the Alexa voice with the unit closest to where you are.
The remote sensor can detect whether you are home or away and can heat different zones of your home individually according to your needs. It will also go into smart mode and do it automatically without needing to set it. If it detects your presence in a room it will automatically turn on. Of course, since it takes a while to heat a radiant floor, you can also turn it on remotely from your smartphone on the way home.
Pros
- Very advanced Alex capabilities
- Remote room sensor
- Dual band wifi
- Easy installation
Cons
- Expensive
Specifications:
- Size: 4.29 x 4.29 x 1 in
- Batteries required
- Also supports IFTTT
- Allows for third party applications
- 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi radio band
Best Budget Option – Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
- Place SmartSensor in the most important room, like your bedroom, child’s...
- Smart Home & Away detects your presence and automatically adjusts the...
- Time of Use cools or heats your home during times when energy is less...
- Named “Best Overall Smart Thermostat” by Tom’s Guide
- Take control of your temperature from anywhere with the ecobee app
You don’t have to spend as much as the other thermostats reviewed here to get quality.
The Emerson Sensi is a great option for those on a budget that are installing a radiant floor heater as it works with gas, propane, oil and even electric HVAC systems. It can handle up to 4 stage heating with a heat pump and is the only one on this list that can. For conventional systems it works in 2 stages.
The size and shape are around the same as a traditional thermostat. If you are replacing one then it is easy to have this fit right in without needing to repaint the area around it. It may not look as flashy as the others, but it gets the job done.
It is limited compared to the ecobee when it comes to using sensors and automatic heating, but it does still have geofencing and flexible scheduling.
It does give you detailed reports so you can set your schedule accordingly, but it won’t sense a person entering a room and turning the heat on. Nor does it offer much in the way of zoning unless you install several thermostats where you need them.
Installation takes less than 30 minutes, but you should know that you do need to connect it to the C-wire. It does have an adapter so it is very easy to do yourself.
Pros
- Works with multiple hydronic systems
- Great low price
- Offers geofencing
- Multiple stage heating compatible
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Wink
Cons
- Not as smart as some other thermostats
- Doesn’t offer multi zone sensors
Specifications:
- Size: 3.4 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
- 3 year warranty
- Requires C-wire
- Operating temperature: 32° to 105°F
- Energy Star certified
Best Compatibility – Bosch BCC100 Connected Control Smart Phone Wi-Fi Thermostat
- SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY: This Alexa-enabled, internet-connected programmable...
- MODERN SLEEK TOUCH SCREEN: The full color, 5-inch display touchscreen...
- MULTI-USE COMPATIBILITY: Including heat pump (4 Heat, 2 Cool) or...
- NEW COMMERCIAL UPDATES: Updates allow control of both evaporation and steam...
- C-WIRE REQUIRED: A C-wire (common wire) is required to power the unit. Two...
If you are looking for a brand that has a history behind it then Bosch is definitely one you can trust.
They make the heaters that people have been relying on for years to heat their homes. In fact, I mention them several times on this site for their tankless water heaters.
Because of this, you get excellent compatibility across many different HVAC systems. As an added bonus it can also control whole house humidifiers and dehumidifiers.
Out of all the thermostats reviewed on this list, this is the easiest one to use. In fact, you can use it without the app if you really want to keep things basic.
Of course, if you want to use the app, it is going to give you far more options for temperature control. It does not offer geofencing, however.
Though it doesn’t have the bells and whistles that the others on this list have, it does get the job done and is very reliable.
If you are looking for lots of extras and something more intuitive then I would scroll back up and check out the others.
Otherwise, for the price it does do a good job and has the backing of a major brand behind it.
Pros
- Compatible with many different HVAC systems
- Works with humidifiers and dehumidifiers
- 4 stage heating with heat pump
- Works without wifi
- Alexa and Google Home Connected Control
Cons
- Not a lot of features
- Needs C-wire
Specifications:
- Size: 5.2 x 3.08 x 1 inch
- 5 year warranty
- Works without wifi
Conclusion
The best thermostat for radiant floor heating is going to ensure that you get the most out of your infloor heating. It will pay for itself with the savings in energy since you can be so accurate with the settings and make sure it only works when you need it.
With the AI capabilities of appliances today, it just makes sense to use one.
If you have any questions about any of these thermostats, just drop a line in the box below and I will get back to you ASAP!
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Hi Nick.
I have a 1000 sq ft condo with hot water based radiant heat throughout.
Years ago I purchased a Nest only to discover that I have a high voltage system & therefore couldn’t use a Nest.
Any smart thermostats you can recommend for this setup?
Hi Gwen
Unfortunately, electrical problems are not my strong suit. I will approve this and hope that some readers can chime in with an answer for you.
Sorry I couldn’t be more help with that.
Nick
Thank you for your informative article. I have a 3 zone hydronic system, installed about 10 years ago with wireless thermostats (Honeywell ChronothermIV and controller.) The thermostats are now beginning to fail. Do you have a rec for a WIRELESS thermostat? I’m trying to avoid having an electrician dig into the walls to run wire. Thanks
Hi Elizabeth
Sorry it took so long to get back to you but I am only now seeing your question. I wish I had a good answer, but I don’t know enough about wireless thermostats to give you a good recommendation. However, I plan to do some research into this and ask around since it is a good question and one that could help a lot of others when answered so I will be writing a guide on it once I have finished my research.
Sorry I couldn’t be more help than that.
Nick
I so appreciate this info. I’ve asked several people in the business and they either tell me it doesn’t make a difference when you have radiant heat or that they don’t know the answer.
I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around the multi zone and how it would work. We have radiant floor on our main level and two thermostats. One thermostat is for the east part of our house and the other for the west. There are two main pipes with shut-off valves one for the east and one for the west. Then several smaller ones within those. So if I set up one of the thermostats with multi-zone capability it can’t just turn on the heat for that room, right? Someone told me with forced air that the sensors shoot for an average of the zones. Is that the same idea here?
Hi Brittany
Sorry for the late reply. So, radiant floor is different than forced hot air so don’t expect them to work the same way. The multi zone thermostats can certainly shut off or turn on the heat for just that one zone without needing to interact with the other. They will work independently of each other.
Hope that helps
Nick
Thanks again. So another question. I’m trying to see if I understand this right. I have two zones for my radiant floor attached to two different thermostats. Would the following scenario work:
– I get the Honewell T9 with two sensors.
– I place the thermostat in the main part of the house (Zone 1)
– I place to two sensors in two separate bedrooms (Zone 2)
The Honeywell can turn both zones on and off dependent on the temperature set for each sensor. Correct?
Also, does the thermostat itself serve as a sensor for the room it is in?
Hi Brittney
You have that entirely correct. That scenario works perfectly and yes the thermostat itself will control the main zone. The one thing to be aware of is that even though you have two sensors in the second zone, they will turn on or off the entire zone and not just the bedrooms separately. So if sensor 1 in one detects somebody in that room, then even bedroom 2 will be heated because you have two sensors controlling the same zone.
It’s a good purchase for what you are trying to do.
Nick
Awesome. It is so nice to find someone so knowledgable and willing to share that knowledge!
One last question.
We have hydronic radiant floor heat for about 75% of our house. Then the rest is on a heat coil furnace. We rarely use the heat coil, because it heats the upstairs rooms, and they are usually warm enough with the radiant heat from the floor below. However, if I understand right the Honeywell T9 would not support the two forms of heat, correct? But the Ecobee would?
Hi Brittney
I’m very happy to be of help. It’s why I created the site anyway because I always had trouble getting the information! I’m not an expert, just a guy who asked a lot of questions and found the answers and now share them.
Anyway, you may have it reverse in that a Honeywell T9 may actually work with your heat coil but it depends so you’ll need to talk to a technician to be sure. The ecobee may also but it may not. It works with low voltage systems so I am not sure what yours is. You’ll actually have to call a technician about this question.
I hope that helps
Nick
Hi Nick,
I have a newly installed hydronic two zone radiant heat system using 2- Viega thermostats. Would love to have a thermostat that I can control and set a schedule?
Hi Mike
I would go with the Honeywell Home T9 WIFI as it is multizone and very intuitive. Here’s the product page on Amazon so you can take a look.
Good luck
Nick
Hi Nick,
Firstly, thanks for sharing this information – I’ve found it incredibly helpful.
Reading through the comments here, I have a scenario that is very similar to Brittney’s. We recently moved into a new home that has hydronic radiant heating. There are five zones, and five separate thermostats (currently a simple White Rodgers one) wired with RH/RC and W. In our utility room, the five separate twin-paired cables each control five separate actuators. We’d like to replace out the existing thermostats so that we can be more efficient with our heating bill (e.g. can reduce the heat in our bedrooms during the day, and in the. kitchen/living areas during the night).
I am considering the Honeywell T9 or ecobee (which I used previously when I had forced air heating); however, I understand that in order to control all five zones I would need 5 separate thermostats as the wireless sensors can’t control each of the five zones on their own. Do I have that right? Ultimately it would be great to have one single controller/thermostat that can adjust the 5 zones and give us the ability to setup a program/schedule.
Any guidance would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Rahul
Hi Rahul
No, you can use 5 sensors that control each zone as long as the main thermostat is able to handle that many. So, you can have a main thermostat and other sensors used to control their specific areas. You can even designate a specific sensor to be the primary temperature setting if you want to have the whole house set to an average temperature. That’s with the Honeywell T9 at least.
Our hydronic heating in the lower level of the home is controlled with a floor sensor – we are only trying to maintain the floor temperature. None of the 5 thermostats you recommended work with floor sensors.. Can you recommend a programmable – preferably wifi – thermostat that would work?
Thank you