Underfloor heating can make a room feel warm and comfortable, but having the right thermostat gives you much better control over when the heating runs and what temperature your room reaches.
If you're replacing an existing thermostat or looking for better control of an underfloor heating system, there are a few useful features to consider.
What does an underfloor heating thermostat do?
An underfloor heating thermostat monitors the room temperature and controls the heating system to maintain your chosen temperature.
Unlike simply switching heating on and off manually, a programmable thermostat allows you to set different temperatures for different times of the day. This can make it easier to heat your home when you need it and reduce unnecessary heating when rooms aren't being used.
Look for programmable heating schedules
A programmable thermostat can be particularly useful for households with regular daily routines.
A 7-day programmable thermostat allows different heating schedules to be set for different days. For example, you could have one schedule for weekdays and another for weekends.
This means your underfloor heating can be set to warm the room before you need it, rather than being left running continuously.
Setback function
A setback function helps maintain a minimum room temperature when your normal heating schedule isn't active.
This can be useful when you're away from home or during periods when you don't need the room at its usual temperature. Instead of switching the heating completely off, the thermostat can maintain a lower temperature.
Optimum start
Another useful feature is optimum start.
Rather than simply turning the heating on at a fixed time, an optimum start function can learn how quickly a room typically reaches the required temperature and adjust the start time accordingly.
This helps the room reach the temperature you've selected when you actually need it.
What should you check before buying?
Before replacing an underfloor heating thermostat, check that the thermostat is compatible with your existing heating system and controls.
It's also worth considering:
- Whether you want 7-day programming
- Whether you need a setback function
- Whether optimum start would be useful
- The type of heating system you have
- Whether the thermostat is wired or wireless
- Whether you need additional control features
If you're unsure about compatibility, check the manufacturer's specifications or speak to a qualified heating professional.
Polypipe PBPRP Programmable Room Thermostat
The Polypipe PBPRP Programmable Room Thermostat is designed for underfloor heating control and offers full 7-day programming.
It includes a setback function to help maintain a minimum room temperature when the room isn't occupied, as well as an optimum start function that learns how the room is typically used and adjusts the heating start time accordingly.
If you're looking for programmable control for an underfloor heating system, you can find the Polypipe PBPRP Programmable Room Thermostat online at Plumbco.
