How to Get the Most Out of Your Floor Heating Thermostat

And we are live! For those of you who missed the exciting part at the very beginning, we’ll do it over again for you. Welcome to our webinar! I'm Julia Billen, the owner here at WarmlyYours, and this is my lovely assistant, Scott. Thank God he's cute because the brains, well, I'm not quite sure about that today. But we’re going to be talking about thermostats today, covering everything you would want to know about selecting your floor heating product and how it plays a key role in determining the comfort level you desire. So, let’s get started!

We have an expert here with us today. I teased him a little bit, but this guy is in charge of tech support. He gets all the calls and understands all of the systems. Let’s move to our next slide so people can see how to ask questions. It’s right there at the bottom: ask a question. We did receive some in advance, so we’ll cover those as we go along. Now, the overview of today’s discussion will focus on the Inspire series of thermostats and how to control your floor heating. After all, floor heating isn’t effective unless you can control it or turn it on, right? We’ll also discuss setting up the thermostat and best practices for heating your space the way you want.

Most people are familiar with thermostats, as they have been a part of our homes since the 1950s, if not earlier. Honeywell led the charge in creating energy-efficient ways to control heating and cooling in our homes, whether it’s for floor heating or other types of systems. Things have come a long way since we started our business. In the past, you had to rely on timers and various devices to make heating work effectively. Now, it’s all built into one beautiful display. If you remember that round thermostat on your wall that you set to 70 degrees and left there forever, you’ll appreciate how far we’ve come. There’s no reason to heat a floor to a set temperature when no one will be walking on it, which is part of the programmable features we’ll discuss.

One of the great benefits of these thermostats is that you can install one in every space that requires heating. For instance, if you spend most of your time in one room, you can keep that room heated while turning off the heating in spaces you rarely use, like a guest room that’s only occupied during the holidays. This is a fantastic way to save money on energy costs. The thermostat has become the star of the room, controlling the environment effectively.

Bathrooms are a significant area for our installations, and people love to use our wire and cable in wet locations. They often install it in showers and on shower benches. The advantage here is that you can operate the shower bench and the floor separately from the rest of the bathroom. If you prefer the bench to be extra warm, you can set it on its own thermostat, allowing for different temperatures in the shower area compared to the bathroom floor.

We received a question regarding humidity in bathrooms. These thermostats are rigorously tested by UL, and humidity is one of the factors they are tested against, passing with flying colors. We have thermostats out there that are 15 years old with no humidity-related issues. The only humidity-related issue we’ve encountered is with the connection between the faceplate and the base. If you separate the faceplate from the base and plug it back in, that usually resolves any problems. It’s remarkable how well these thermostats are designed to withstand high humidity environments.

Now, let’s discuss how to combine the thermostat with floor heating. Electric floor heating has a unique advantage: the heat is at your feet and fills the entire room. Unlike traditional heating systems that blow hot air down, which then rises back up to the ceiling, electric floor heating warms the room from the floor up, creating a radiant heating effect. This is a significant improvement over older systems that relied on hot water heating, which often required extensive plumbing.

Electric heating can be installed in a thin bed, which means you can place it directly on top of your subfloor without needing to heat a thick slab. This allows for much faster heating times—on average, it takes about 45 minutes to reach the desired temperature. The thin bed installation is perfect for remodeling projects because it doesn’t require new construction. You can easily add warmth to a room without extensive renovations, making it ideal for homeowners looking to customize or update their spaces.

Just last week, we received a call from someone with hot water heating in their home who couldn’t get heat to their bedroom or bathroom on the second level. They reached out to us for a solution, and we were able to help them with electric floor heating. This highlights how easily electric heating can be integrated into existing homes, especially for remodeling jobs.

As we mentioned earlier, electric and hydronic systems can work together seamlessly. It’s not just about competing technologies; they can complement each other effectively. Electric floor heating is also great for wet locations, making it suitable for showers and bathrooms, where comfort is essential.

Now, let’s introduce the team behind our products. We have a beautiful color scheme here, and it’s essential to note that there are different thermostats for different applications. The Ntouch Wi-Fi, the nHance, and the nTrust are all options you can choose from based on your needs. Do you want a Wi-Fi unit or not? Do you have hardwood flooring? Depending on your situation, we can help you determine which thermostat is best suited for your application.

It’s crucial to understand that selecting the right thermostat is a personal decision based on your application and how you prefer to interact with your heating system. We’ll go through each control one by one, discussing their features and the best applications for each, as well as the personality types that might prefer one over the other. Some of us like to be very involved in controlling our thermostats, while others prefer a more relaxed approach.

Let’s take a look at the comparison chart to get an overview of how these products match up. Starting from the right side with the nTrust, this is the least expensive option. It’s a simple “set it and forget it” thermostat, ideal for those who don’t want to deal with programming. If you have older parents or someone who prefers simplicity, this is the perfect product for them. You can set it to a desired temperature, and it will maintain that temperature until you decide to change it.

When considering budget, if the floor heating element itself costs around $200, it might be challenging to justify spending more on a control. For example, if you have a guest bedroom that gets used only a couple of times a year, the nTrust would be an excellent choice. You can set it for the temperature your guests prefer and turn it off when they leave.

Next, we have the nHance, which was the go-to control for many years in the electric heating market. It remains relevant for two main reasons: its price point and its compatibility with older systems that lack floor sensors. The nHance allows users to set it to a percentage, functioning like a comfort regulator. It’s especially useful for those who have older systems that require a simple on/off control without the sophistication of modern thermostats.

The nHance is still a valuable option for customers with comfort regulators, as it allows them to control their heating without needing to install a floor sensor. It’s a straightforward solution for those who prefer simplicity over advanced features.

Now, let’s move on to the N-Touch thermostat, which is very popular among our customers. It’s aesthetically pleasing and easy to program, not menu-driven like some older models. You can simply touch the screen to navigate, making it user-friendly. The N-Touch displays the date, time, current room temperature, and heating status, providing a clear overview of your heating system.

One of the standout features of the N-Touch is its built-in programming capabilities. It comes pre-installed with a schedule that can be easily adjusted to fit your lifestyle. The main difference between the N-Touch and the N-Touch Wi-Fi is the ability to control the thermostat remotely via the app. This feature allows you to adjust settings while you’re away from home, providing added convenience.

For those who prefer a black finish on their thermostat, that option is available as well. The Wi-Fi model offers additional features, including weather indicators and remote access through a mobile app. This allows you to change settings from anywhere, making it a great choice for those who want to manage their heating system on the go.

As we wrap up our discussion on thermostats, it’s essential to emphasize the importance of testing your system before winter. Especially if you have a floor that needs to acclimate, like wood flooring, testing the GFCI is crucial. Make sure everything is functioning correctly before the colder months arrive to avoid any surprises during the holiday season.

We encourage you to test your GFCI monthly, not just at the beginning of the season. Regular testing ensures that your system is safe and functioning correctly. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.

Thank you for joining us today! We hope you found this information helpful. Our next webinar will focus on winterizing your basement, preparing for the holiday season, and ensuring comfort in your home. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions for future topics, so please let us know what you’d like to hear about.

Until next time, stay warm and be radiant!