As we strive for energy efficiency and smarter home automation, the role of thermostats has become increasingly significant. When it comes to controlling heating systems, especially boilers, choosing the right thermostat can make a world of difference. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing setup or are in the process of installing a brand-new boiler, having a thermostat that complements its functionality is crucial.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the world of thermostats specifically designed for boilers. We will delve into the key features, types, and considerations to keep in mind when selecting the best thermostat for your boiler system. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of what to look for and be equipped with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision.
In this era of increased awareness about carbon footprints and energy consumption, having a thermostat that can optimize your boiler’s performance and keep your home comfortable is paramount. An efficient thermostat can help you save on energy bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create a more sustainable living environment.
What is boiler and types of boiler in USA
A home boiler is a central heating system that generates heat to warm a residential space and provide hot water. It consists of a boiler unit that heats water, which is then circulated through pipes and radiators or underfloor heating systems to distribute heat evenly throughout the home. Boilers are commonly fueled by natural gas, oil, propane, or electricity.
In the United States, the most prevalent type of boiler used in residential settings is the natural gas-fired condensing boiler. These boilers are highly efficient, utilizing the heat produced during combustion to preheat cold water entering the boiler. This process maximizes energy efficiency and reduces fuel consumption, resulting in lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact.
Condensing boilers are known for their excellent performance, achieving efficiency levels of up to 98%. They extract heat from the flue gases, which are then condensed into liquid form, releasing additional heat energy. This condensation process helps recover latent heat and further improves the boiler’s efficiency.
Another type of boiler commonly found in the USA is the oil-fired boiler. While less popular due to the availability and pricing of oil, these boilers are still used in areas where natural gas infrastructure is limited. Oil-fired boilers operate similarly to natural gas boilers but use oil as their fuel source.
It’s worth noting that electric boilers are also available in the US market. These boilers use electricity as their energy source and are compact and easy to install. However, they tend to be less energy-efficient compared to natural gas or oil boilers and may result in higher electricity costs.
Smart ,wifi boiler thermostat
Ecobee 4 and 3
Ecobee is a well-known brand in the smart thermostat market, offering advanced features and energy-saving capabilities.
Ecobee4 Thermostat:
The Ecobee4 is a feature-rich smart thermostat that combines temperature control, voice control, and home automation capabilities. It offers a variety of advanced features and is known for its versatility and compatibility with different HVAC systems, including boiler systems.
Compatibility with Boiler Systems:
The Ecobee4 is compatible with most boiler systems, including single-stage and multi-stage boilers. It supports a wide range of heating equipment, such as boilers with or without external transformers, zone valves, and radiant heating systems.
To ensure compatibility with your specific boiler system, it’s essential to check the Ecobee website or consult the manufacturer’s documentation for a comprehensive list of supported systems and compatibility requirements.
Integration and Control:
The Ecobee4 integrates with a variety of boiler system components, allowing you to control your heating system efficiently. It utilizes the Ecobee app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices, to provide remote access and control of your thermostat from anywhere.
The thermostat also supports voice control through popular voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This allows you to adjust temperature settings, schedule changes, and access other thermostat features using voice commands.
Energy Saving Features:
The Ecobee4 comes equipped with various energy-saving features designed to optimize comfort and reduce energy consumption. These features include:
a. Smart Home/Away: The thermostat uses occupancy sensors and geofencing technology to detect when the house is occupied or empty. It adjusts the temperature accordingly, helping to conserve energy when you’re away.
b. Follow Me: The Ecobee4 can detect which rooms are occupied based on its occupancy sensors. It focuses on heating or cooling those occupied areas, providing personalized comfort while saving energy in unoccupied spaces.
c. Smart Recovery: The thermostat learns the heating patterns of your home and calculates the time needed to reach the desired temperature. By doing so, it ensures that the temperature is comfortable at the scheduled time while avoiding unnecessary heating, thus saving energy. It is also called Smart response technology in Honeywell thermostat.
Click here for more detail, price, reviews and ratings of Ecobee 4 thermostat
Ecobee3 Lite Thermostat:
The Ecobee3 Lite is a more budget-friendly option that offers essential features and functionality for smart temperature control. Although it is a simplified version of the Ecobee4, it still provides compatibility with boiler systems.
Compatibility with Boiler Systems:
Similar to the Ecobee4, the Ecobee3 Lite is compatible with most boiler systems, including single-stage and multi-stage boilers. It supports various heating equipment, making it suitable for a wide range of boiler installations.
Note that it may not be compatible with central heating systems having 3 or 4 stages
Integration and Control:
The Ecobee3 Lite offers integration with popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. It allows you to control your thermostat using voice commands for hands-free operation.
The thermostat also provides remote access and control through the Ecobee app, enabling you to manage your thermostat settings from your smartphone or tablet.
Energy Saving Features:
While the Ecobee3 Lite may not have all the advanced features of the Ecobee4, it still incorporates essential energy-saving features. These features include:
a. Smart Home/Away: The thermostat uses occupancy detection to adjust the temperature when no one is home, helping to reduce energy consumption during vacant periods.
b. Scheduling: The Ecobee3 Lite allows you to create customized schedules to align with your lifestyle. By optimizing temperature settings based on your daily routine, you can minimize energy waste.
c. Energy Reports: The thermostat provides energy reports that offer insights into your energy usage patterns. These reports can help you identify opportunities for further energy savings and make adjustments to optimize your heating system’s efficiency.
Difference between 2 models
Click here for more detail, price, reviews and ratings of Ecobee 3 Lite thermostat
Nest 3rd Gen and Nest E
Nest thermostats are known for their sleek design, user-friendly interface, and smart functionality. In this article, we will focus on two popular models: the Nest 3rd Generation (Nest Learning Thermostat) and the Nest E Thermostat. We will explore their features and specifically discuss their compatibility with boiler systems, which are commonly used for heating in many homes.
- Nest 3rd Generation (Nest Learning Thermostat):The Nest 3rd Generation, also referred to as the Nest Learning Thermostat, is a top-of-the-line smart thermostat that offers advanced features and energy-saving capabilities.
Compatibility with Boiler Systems: The Nest 3rd Generation is compatible with most boiler systems, including single-stage and multi-stage boilers. It supportsm ost 24V heating and cooling systems like gas, electric, forced air, boilers with or without external transformers,heat pump, radiant, oil, hot water, solar and geothermal and even those with underfloor heating.
Integration and Control: The Nest 3rd Generation integrates with the Nest app, available for both iOS and Android devices, allowing you to control your thermostat remotely. Through the app, you can adjust temperature settings, set schedules, and monitor energy usage.
Additionally, the Nest Learning Thermostat has the ability to learn your temperature preferences and create a personalized schedule based on your habits. Over time, it adapts and optimizes temperature settings to maximize comfort while minimizing energy consumption.
The thermostat also supports voice control through various voice assistants, including Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Energy Saving Features: The Nest 3rd Generation incorporates several energy-saving features to help reduce energy consumption:
a. Auto-Schedule: The thermostat learns your preferred temperature settings and creates a schedule based on your usage patterns. It can automatically adjust the temperature when you’re away, optimizing energy efficiency.
b. Home/Away Assist: Using built-in sensors and geofencing technology, the Nest Learning Thermostat can detect when you are at home or away. It adjusts the temperature accordingly, conserving energy when you’re not present.
c. Energy History: The thermostat provides detailed energy usage reports and insights through the Nest app. This information helps you track your energy consumption and make informed decisions about energy-saving adjustments.
Click here for more detail, price, reviews and ratings of Nest 3rd Gen thermostat
- Nest E Thermostat: The Nest E Thermostat is a more budget-friendly option compared to the Nest 3rd Generation. It offers essential smart thermostat features while maintaining compatibility with boiler systems.
Compatibility with Boiler Systems: Similar to the Nest 3rd Generation, the Nest E Thermostat is compatible with most boiler systems, including single-stage and multi-stage boilers.
Note-Nest E is not compatible beyond 2 stages of heating and 1 stage of cooling)
For ex- Two stages of cooling and two or three stage furnace heating
Also do not work with acessories like humidifier or ventilators
Integration and Control: The Nest E Thermostat integrates with the Nest app, allowing you to control your thermostat remotely and access its features from your smartphone or tablet. The app provides a user-friendly interface for adjusting temperature settings, setting schedules, and monitoring energy usage.
While the Nest E Thermostat lacks the learning capabilities of the Nest 3rd Generation, it still offers basic scheduling options. You can create custom temperature schedules to align with your daily routine, optimizing energy usage accordingly.
Energy Saving Features: The Nest E Thermostat incorporates energy-saving features to help reduce energy consumption:
a. Home/Away Assist: Similar to the Nest 3rd Generation, the Nest E Thermostat utilizes occupancy detection and geofencing technology to determine when you’re home or away. It adjusts the temperature settings accordingly to save energy when you’re not at home.
b. Energy History: The Nest E Thermostat provides energy usage reports and insights through the Nest app. You can track your energy consumption patterns, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments to optimize energy efficiency.
c. Eco Mode: The Eco Mode feature on the Nest E Thermostat helps save energy by automatically adjusting the temperature to a more energy-efficient level when no one is home. It ensures that you’re not wasting energy on heating or cooling an unoccupied space.
Click here for more detail, price, reviews and ratings of Nest E thermostat
Honeywell lyrics T6 and T5 thermostat
Honeywell Lyric T6
The Honeywell Lyric T6 thermostat is a versatile and advanced device designed to provide precise temperature control and energy efficiency in residential heating systems. It is compatible with a wide range of boilers, making it a popular choice for homeowners seeking a reliable and smart thermostat solution.
The Lyric T6 thermostat supports both 24-230V on/off and OpenTherm(R) gas boilers and combi-boilers with upto 3 heat stages and 2 cool staged but not compatible with pellet stove boilers and electric base board heating.
It requires 24 V a C wire.
The Honeywell Lyric T6 thermostat is compatible with IFTTT (If This Then That), a popular web-based automation platform that allows users to create custom connections and interactions between different devices and services. This compatibility enhances the functionality of the Lyric T6 thermostat and enables users to integrate it into their existing smart home setups or create unique automation scenarios.
For example, users can set up an applet that triggers the Lyric T6 thermostat to adjust the temperature when certain conditions are met. This could include turning on the thermostat when a specific location-based trigger is activated or adjusting the temperature based on the weather forecast retrieved from a weather service. The possibilities are virtually endless, limited only by the available triggers and actions within the IFTTT ecosystem.
Through IFTTT, the Lyric T6 thermostat can be integrated with a wide range of devices and services, such as smart lighting systems, home security cameras, voice assistants, and more. This integration allows for seamless automation and coordination between different smart home components, providing users with a centralized and streamlined control over their connected devices.
To set up IFTTT compatibility with the Lyric T6 thermostat, users need to create an IFTTT account and follow the instructions provided by Honeywell. The process typically involves linking the thermostat to the IFTTT service and selecting the desired triggers and actions to create custom applets.
One of the key features of the Lyric T6 thermostat is its ability to adapt to different types of heating systems. It uses advanced algorithms to optimize the boiler’s performance and reduce energy consumption while maintaining a comfortable indoor climate. By learning the heating patterns and preferences of the occupants, the thermostat creates a personalized schedule that maximizes energy efficiency and minimizes wasted heating cycles.
The Lyric T6 thermostat is designed for easy installation and setup. It can be installed on the wall and can also be integrated with home automation systems like Apple HomeKit, Amazon Echo or Google Home Assistant allowing users to control the thermostat remotely through their smartphones or other connected devices.
A higher version Honeywell T6(R) is totally wireless does not need to be installed on wall and can be kept anywhere.
It supports geofencing, which enables the thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature based on the occupants’ location, ensuring that the home is always at the desired temperature when they arrive. The thermostat also provides energy usage reports and insights, allowing homeowners to track their heating consumption and make informed decisions about energy-saving measures.
The Resideo app(Earlier known as Honeywell home app) serves as your primary control center, giving you access to all your in-home devices no matter where you are. Whether it’s lights, locks, cameras, thermostats, or more, you can conveniently manage and control them from any mobile device. The app also provides real-time alerts when any smart home device is triggered, and it keeps a comprehensive history of system events for your review and reference.
Click here for more detail, price, reviews and ratings of Honeywell Lyric T 6 thermostat
Like Nest and Ecoobee Honeywell also has a lighter version T5 which is also compatible with most boiler system.
Honeywell T5 thermostat
The main difference being no dual fuel and IFTT in Honeywell T5 and 2 stage heat/2 cool as compared to 3 Stage heat and 2 cool in T6.
Click here for more detail, price, reviews and ratings of Honeywell Lyric T 5 thermostat
Honeywell RTH9585WF – WiFi Boiler Thermostat
The Honeywell RTH9585WF WiFi Boiler Thermostat is a popular choice for homeowners looking to upgrade their thermostat to a smart and connected device. With advanced features and compatibility with boiler systems, it offers convenient control and energy-saving capabilities. Let’s explore its details, with a particular focus on boiler compatibility.
Note- Not a auto scheduling or learning thermostat commonly called smart thermostat.
Compatibility with Boiler Systems:
The Honeywell RTH9585WF WiFi Boiler Thermostat is designed to be compatible with a wide range of boiler systems viz Forced air (gas, oil or electric), hot water and steam, and heat pumps with electric backup. It do not work with 120-240V electric baseboard heat and a C-Wire is required.
Integration and Control: As the name suggests, the Honeywell RTH9585WF WiFi Boiler Thermostat offers WiFi connectivity, enabling remote access and control via the Honeywell Total Connect Comfort app. This means you can conveniently adjust temperature settings, create schedules, and monitor your heating system from your smartphone or tablet.
The thermostat also supports voice control through popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This allows you to adjust temperature settings and control your heating system using simple voice commands, adding a level of hands-free convenience.
Energy Saving Features: The Honeywell RTH9585WF WiFi Boiler Thermostat incorporates several energy-saving features to help optimize your heating system’s efficiency:
- Smart Scheduling: The thermostat allows you to create customized schedules to align with your lifestyle. By setting different temperature preferences for specific times of the day, you can ensure efficient heating while minimizing energy waste.
- Geofencing: This feature utilizes your smartphone’s location to detect when you are leaving or approaching home. When you’re away, it can automatically adjust the temperature to an energy-saving level. As you approach home, it can start preheating, ensuring a comfortable environment upon your arrival.
- Intelligent Comfort Control: The thermostat includes advanced algorithms to maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature while optimizing energy usage. It continuously learns your heating patterns and adjusts accordingly, reducing unnecessary heating cycles and improving overall efficiency.
Additional Features: Apart from boiler compatibility and energy-saving capabilities, the Honeywell RTH9585WF WiFi Boiler Thermostat offers several other noteworthy features:
- Touchscreen Display: The thermostat features a large, easy-to-use touchscreen display that allows for intuitive navigation and temperature adjustments.
- Customizable Color Themes: You can personalize the thermostat’s appearance by choosing from a variety of color themes to match your home decor.
- Filter Change Reminder: The thermostat provides reminders to change your HVAC system’s filters, ensuring optimal performance and indoor air quality.
- Weather Information: The thermostat can display local weather information, keeping you informed about outdoor conditions and helping you make informed decisions about your heating system.
Installation Considerations: Installing the Honeywell RTH9585WF WiFi Boiler Thermostat may require specific wiring connections based on your boiler system. It’s advisable to consult the product documentation or seek professional assistance to ensure proper installation and compatibility with your specific setup.
Click here for more detail, price, reviews and ratings of Honeywell RTH9585WF thermostat
Emerson Sensi ST75
The Emerson Sensi ST5 Thermostat is a smart and versatile thermostat that offers a range of features for convenient temperature control and energy savings. With a particular focus on boiler compatibility, let’s delve into the details of this thermostat.
- Sensi Lite and Sensi smart thermostats: Only requires a “C” wire with heat pumps, heat-only systems, and cool-only systems.
- Sensi Touch and Touch 2 smart thermostats: Requires a “C” wire for all applications.
The Honeywell T9 Wi-Fi thermostat offers several features designed to provide convenience, energy savings, and comfort in your home. Here are the key features of the Honeywell T9 Wi-Fi thermostat:
- Auto Home and Away Mode: With the T9 thermostat, you can adjust your thermostat from anywhere using your mobile device. Additionally, the thermostat has an Auto Home and Away mode that allows your home to automatically react to your schedule using geofencing technology. It can detect when you leave home and adjust the temperature to save energy, and when you’re on your way back, it can ensure a comfortable temperature upon your arrival.
- Multi-Room Focus: The T9 thermostat supports the addition of Smart Room Sensors (sold separately) with range upto 200 feet. By adding these sensors to different rooms, you can prioritize and focus the temperature control in those specific areas, providing comfort where it matters to you the most. Only single sensor is provided but you can add upto 20 additional sensors.
- Wide Compatibility: The T9 thermostat is compatible with various heating and cooling systems, including forced air (gas, oil, or electric), hot water and steam systems, and heat pumps with electric backup. However, it does not work with electric baseboard heat (120-240V).
- C-Wire Requirement: The T9 thermostat typically requires a C-wire (common wire) for power. This wire provides continuous power to the thermostat, ensuring stable operation. Before purchasing the T9 thermostat, it’s recommended to check if your home’s heating and cooling system has a C-wire or if you need a power adapter to support the thermostat.
- Smarter, Simpler Setup: The T9 thermostat comes with everything you need in the box, including a power adapter for compatibility with most homes. The thermostat is designed for easy installation and setup, and it intuitively identifies your home’s heating and cooling system type, making it user-friendly for DIY installation.
- Energy Savings and Rewards: By using the T9 thermostat, you can save energy and potentially qualify for energy savings rebates offered by your energy provider. Additionally, eligible customers may be able to enroll in their local utility’s “Demand Response Program,” which rewards you for allowing slight adjustments to your AC or furnace temperature settings during high energy demand periods.
- Smart Home Integration: The T9 thermostat is compatible with various smart home platforms, including IFTTT, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, iOS, and Android. This allows you to control and manage your thermostat through voice commands or integrated smart home systems.
Click here for more detail, price, reviews and ratings of Honeywell T9 thermostat
Honeywell T10
An upgraded version Honeywell T10 thermostat has same compatibility with like T9 with boilers but has some additional feature like T10 can handle dual fuel system like Gas and diesel or Gas furnace and heat pump.
Also T10 can control humidity and ventilation.