5 Best Heat Only Thermostat Options in 2021

The primary function of a heating only thermostat is to provide the right room temperature all the time. It controls heating and air-conditioning systems in your house or office. Besides its primary function, the heating thermostat has many other functions depending on the model that you choose.

Most people are clueless about how heating thermostat functions, but you will be surprised by how simple it is.

Unlike outdated thermostats, modern thermostats are totally or partly digital. In a non-digital thermostat, there are two types of thermometers – the one that displays temperature in the cover of the thermostat and the other one that controls cooling and heating systems situated in the top layer of the thermostat.

The working principle of a digital thermostat is similar to that of non-digital ones. However, the technology employed is better, and there are added functions. It uses a device called a thermistor to measure temperature. A thermistor is a resistor that provides changing electrical resistance with temperature. The micro-controller can measure the resistance and change it to temperature.

To understand the working principles and types of thermostats better, scroll down to read my reviews on the top 5 heating thermostats on my list.  

5 MOST INTERESTING HEATING THERMOSTAT MODELS

Honeywell RTH3100C1002/E1 Digital Heat Pump Thermostat

Each heat pump thermostat has one additional setting for emergency heat besides regular heat, cold and off settings. Heat gets sucked in from the outside air by the heat pump. If you use a ground source heat pump, then it pulls Heat from the ground. Either way, lower the temperature, lesser the Heat sucked in by the pump. Ultimately, it won’t be possible, and you will need supplemental Heat.

The supplemental heat source can be an electric resistance heat or a furnace. Electric resistance works best for homes with consistent electrical supply, while the furnace is better for homes with fuel oil, propane, or natural gas. Emergency heat is, as the name suggests, only for emergencies. The biggest mistake people make, which costs them monetarily, is choosing emergency heat instead of supplemental Heat.

The first thermostat on my list is a model made by Honeywell. It is a heat pump thermostat, which means it is only made to control the heat pumps. This model comes in white color, so it won’t stand out when placed on your wall. It is small in size with well-set controls so you can easily adjust the temperature and other settings on it.

Honeywell RTH3100C1002/E1 Digital Heat Pump Thermostat

This heat pump thermostat has dimensions 1.5×5.4×3.8 inches, like most heating thermostats. Everything you set is clearly visible on the backlit display, so you don’t have to turn the lights up if you want to change the temperature in the dark. The device is battery operated, and you need 2 AA batteries for it to work, but since it doesn’t have a good battery indicator, I suggest you have a spare pair near the thermostat.

FEATURES:

• Backlit display
• non-programmable
• no batteries included
• emergency heat
• white color

Honeywell TH1100DV1000 Pro-Digital 2-Wire Heat Only.

The Heat only thermostat is a non-programmable and low-voltage thermostat that can heat the air temperature, but it cannot cool it down. There are two wires in this thermostat – a white wire for heating and a red wire for power. When the right temperature is reached, the connection between the wires is turned off. It also has a standard wire or C-wire, which functions as the power source of the thermostat. Its main function is house heating during winters because it can only warm up the air.

This Honeywell model has an adjustable temperature ranging from 40 to 90°F with constant temperature control. It is user-friendly because it is easy to use buttons and a sharp backlit display that is visible even from across the room. The size is not too big (6 x 5 x 4 inches), and it comes in white color. You will need 2 AAA batteries for this thermostat, so make sure to have some because they don’t come with the product. The main difference between this model and the previous one is that this Honeywell model is heated only, which means it can’t make your room temperature lower, just higher.

FEATURES:

• non-programmable
• low-voltage
• heat only
• one color
• easy-to-read display

Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Thermostat

Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Thermostat provides a warmth so comforting; it can be compared to the sun’s feeling on your skin. This is something that traditional convection technologies can’t offer, which makes this thermostat so special. Because it is a thermostat-controlled heater, the walls and other surfaces are warmer, indirectly heating the air. Thanks to radiant heat technology, the air never gets dry, which results in a pleasant atmosphere. Furthermore, it has an energy star certification, which means it consumes lesser energy; hence, it is cost-effective.

With easy-to-read instructions, Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi thermostat installation would not take more than half an hour. To make your life easier, you can control it by using a remote or smartphone application. Its dimensions are 3.8 x 5.9 x 1 inch, and it comes with a free mobile app, 2 AA batteries, mounting hardware, wire stickers, welcome, and installation guide along with a three-year warranty.

It is eco-friendly because there is no carbon dioxide emission, it is noise-free, and it keeps the room dust-free, which is an added advantage for those suffering from allergies. It has high safety standards because it only heats in the temperature interval from 75°C to 95°C.

Its programmability is perhaps what makes it a winner because you can operate it from outside the house as well. This function gives you control to hit the right room temperature all the time. The whole system is a bit more expensive than the others; however, its high-energy saving system makes it cost-effective.

FEATURES:

• Batteries included
• Wi-Fi enabled
• free mobile programmable
• eco-friendly
• doesn’t dry out the air

Nest (T3007ES) Learning Thermostat

Nest Learning Thermostat is an ultra-modern model with voice control so you can easily control the temperature in every room of your house. You can customize the digital display by changing its display color, letter font, and choose to turn the light on or off. This model comes in four different colors: copper, stainless steel, black, and white. We can categorize it as a small one because its dimensions are 3.3 x 1.2 x 3.3 inches.

The easy-heat thermostat is, as its name says, simple and convenient to use with floor warming heating cable systems. It has responsive buttons and intuitive feedbacks to simplify operation. It is programmable, which makes your life much easier. 

Nest Learning Thermostat is economical and eco-friendly. A Long-lasting high temperature means it doesn’t have to work all the time. Which, in turn, will not destroy it because it has a high overheating resistance.

It is very convenient for emergency services such as ambulances and police vehicles because it starts to work immediately. This purpose also requests some additional safety and security, so it is usually S-marked. It is battery powered, so you will need 1 CR2 battery, which is not included, so you will have to buy it yourself. If you need a luxurious and fashionable solution for your home, the Nest Learning Thermostat will work best.

FEATURES:

• Responsive buttons
• multiple colors
• voice control
• large digital display
• saves you money

Orbit 83521 Clear Comfort Programmable Thermostat

Orbit 83521 Clear Comfort Programmable Thermostat offers you the possibility of programming each day, up to 7 days. You can also copy the program you created to form one day to another. It comes in white color and has a large visible display. Because it has so many options, it may seem complicated at first. However, you will get used to it in no time. Its dimensions are 1.5 x 5 x 3 inches, and it requires batteries which are not included.

In definition, hot water thermostat is the type of thermostat that we use with conventional boilers with a separate hot water tank. It displays the temperature every time we are about to take a shower or just use hot water from our boiler. Hot water thermostats have graphs that monitor and display the current water temperature, usage, and efficiency of heating the water according to the required temperature.

FEATURES:

• Programmable
• one color
• Well-visible display
• no batteries included
• complicated to operate

CONCLUSION

To sum it up, every heating thermostat has its own advantages. Heat pump thermostat, such as the first Honeywell model, uses supplemental heating when needed, and it also has emergency heat for special occasions. Heat only thermostat, such as the second Honeywell model, is the perfect solution for a small room that should be heated separately from the rest of the house. Still, its main disadvantage is that it is non-programmable.

Thermostat controlled heater, such as the Emerson model, is highly programmable, and you can control every single part of the system. It is a bit expensive, but with its maximal energy saving capacity, you will get your money back over the years. You can also use it as a ceiling heat thermostat to warm up the ceiling’s surface, which warms up the air. Easy-heat thermostat, such as Orbit thermostat, is easy to use, so it is ideal for beginners and emergencies.

Hopefully, these reviews will help you decide on the best choice of thermostat for you.