How does a room thermostat work?

Essentially, a room thermostat gives you more control over your home heating. With a room thermostat, you can quickly and simply adjust your central heating system at home, to ensure each room is set at an ideal temperature. This type of product works by controlling how much heating you use at home, reducing your energy consumption and your bills in one fell swoop. Handy, right? With a wide range of models to choose from (wired or wireless, programmable or non-programmable, smart...), this guide will help you find the right thermostat kit for you.

The room thermostat: what’s its role in controlling home heating?

A room thermostat is a wired or wireless device that controls the temperature levels within your home. You can use these thermostats to adjust the heaters throughout your house, ensuring optimum energy efficiency and perfect thermal comfort.

With this type of thermostat, you can adjust your home heating so that it’s operating on demand, as needed and is perfectly aligned with your needs and preferences from day to day. Some smart, wireless models can also be used to control hot water as well as heat.

A programmable thermostat allows for precise monitoring of your home temperature, thanks to a key control link with your home boiler that powers your central heating. You can control and optimise your heating with great precision, sometimes adjusting your heaters to the exact degree you want.
Room thermostats allow you to better control the temperature in your house. You can use a room thermostat with a gas heater, wood stove, heat pump or gas boiler, no matter whether you have an individual or collective central heating setup at home.
Room thermostats allow you to adjust your home temperature according to your heating needs. You can reach the desired temperature easily and make sure you’re only heating as needed, so you use less power. The better use you make of your thermostats, the more you’ll be able to save on your heating costs.

The Netatmo Smart Thermostat is a great option for improved control of your home heating! This precise smart room thermostat is totally remotely programmable, so you can set your home temperature whenever and wherever. Benefit from precise heating, reduced energy consumption and lower bills in no time - all perfectly adapted to your heating needs!

Room thermostats: location, location, location

Here, we’ll take a closer look at why the location of your room thermostats in your house is key.

Why is location important?

For ultimate control of the heat in your home, you need to position your thermostats so that:

You don’t heat your home unnecessarily
You optimise your control and comfort in each part of the house

You might have seen one thermostat in use to monitor the temperature in several rooms within a house. However, this won’t provide optimal control of the heat level in each room. You’ll also need to avoid placing these devices near a heat source (such as a radiator or space heater) that could distort its heat control function.

Ideally, you should install one thermostat per room in the home, away from heat sources and away from potential drafts (such as from windows or doors).

Do you need a room thermostat in the bathroom?

If you place a thermostat here, make sure it’s not close to any fan or suction systems you have in place. These could create a draft that will distort the thermostat's heat control function.

If your room thermostat is battery operated, ensure it’s not too close to any water source, such as the shower.

How do you connect a room thermostat to start managing your heating?

To connect your thermostat directly to your heating system, cut off the electrical current before starting the installation.

For the safest installation of a thermostat directly onto your boiler, contact a professional.

Once you’ve completed the installation, the Netatmo Smart Thermostat lets you control your heating to save between 25% and 40% on your heating bills! Programmable, wireless and smart, it’s one of the most energy efficient thermostats on the market.

Room thermostats: the different models

There are a range of models to suit every need, including wired, wireless, programmable, non-programmable and smart room thermostats.

Almost all types are suitable for installation in tandem with all central heating systems, but be sure to check yours is compatible before installation.

The non-programmable room thermostat

These are the least technologically advanced models out there, offering manual adjustment of heating operations and room temperature.

Some non-programmable thermostats are wired, with temperature adjustment via a dial. Others are wireless, with less installation required.

Overall, these types of more dated room thermostat won’t let you manage or optimise your heating usage as well as later models.

The programmable electric room thermostat

This more modern type of product controls your heating more effectively and helps you use less power.

Wired or wireless, programmable room thermostats display precise heating information on a screen so you can adjust the temperature. Wireless versions require less installation, saving you costs there, too.

The smart room thermostat

Smart room thermostats are the most energy efficient of all. With more precise heating control via connection to your central heating and home Internet, you can optimise your home heaters accurately and economically. You operate them using WiFi and a smartphone app.

Plus, a smart room thermostat will take into account your habits and preferences at home to perfect your heating setup.

Room thermostats and energy savings

A room thermostat is an essential device if you want to spend less money keeping your home warm.

Heating control system

Room thermostats allow you to control your home temperature, room by room, so you’re only heating as and when needed.

Set a heating schedule, adapt your heating based on external weather conditions and reduce your power consumption.

Setting up a programmable room thermostat

Programmable room thermostats let you establish a home heating schedule to best regulate your home temperature.

Night setting: The ideal nighttime temperature lies between 16 and 17 degrees centigrade.
Daytime setting: The ideal daytime temperature lies between 19 and 21 degrees centigrade.

What’s the price of room thermostats?

With so many types to choose from, you’re sure to find a product to suit your budget.

Manual room thermostats are the cheapest, while a smart thermostat kit will come at a higher price - although the smarter the thermostat, the more you’ll eventually save on your bills!

All in all, room thermostats are key to optimising your home heating - the smart choice for real control of your home comfort.