How to Create a Smart Floor Heating Control System with Wi-Fi

Smart Control System for Water Underfloor Heating with Wireless Wi-Fi Thermostats

A smart control system for water underfloor heating with wireless Wi-Fi thermostats requires combining a zone controller with wireless thermostats for remote temperature control. To implement your scheme with a mixing manifold and without the possibility of running wires, you need to choose a controller with Wi-Fi receiver support or add a separate wireless module to existing equipment.

Table of Contents

• Equipment Selection for Smart System
• Boiler and Pump Control Function
• Compatibility of Equipment from Different Manufacturers
• Proper Connection Scheme
• Managing Multiple Zones in One Room
• Solution for ZEISSLER ZC8.1.220LED2
• Practical System Implementation
• Sources
• Conclusion

Equipment Selection for Smart System

To create a stable and affordable smart control system for water underfloor heating with wireless thermostats, consider the following components:

Wi-Fi Thermostats:

• Smart Aura SA-TE100W - supports voice assistant Alice integration, has an intuitive management app
• EKF Connect - domestic manufacturer with good price-to-quality ratio
• Thermolux - well-known brand with reliable thermostats for underfloor heating
• Lemana PRO - offers Wi-Fi thermostats starting from 2650 rubles

Zone Controllers:

• ZEISSLER ZC8.1.220LED2 - 8-channel communicator for servo drive control
• TECH Controllers - wired-wireless management system with Wi-Fi module support

Important: According to Smart Aura, modern Wi-Fi thermostats allow temperature control of underfloor heating from anywhere in the world via smartphone, which is a key advantage for smart homes.

Boiler and Pump Control Function

Boiler and pump control in a zone controller is necessary for several reasons:

1. Centralized heat carrier management - the controller can turn the boiler and circulation pump on/off as needed for system operation

2. Energy efficiency - prevents unnecessary heating of the heat carrier when none of the zones require heating

3. Freeze protection - the controller can maintain a minimum system temperature during absence periods

4. Operation synchronization - ensures coordinated operation of all heating system components

According to information from ZEISSLER, the zone communicator is designed to control actuators (boiler, circulation pump, mixing valve, servo drives of heating circuits) based on set operating algorithms.

Compatibility of Equipment from Different Manufacturers

Compatibility of thermostats from different manufacturers with controllers is an important technical issue:

Positive aspects:

• Most Wi-Fi thermostats use standard communication protocols
• Many manufacturers provide APIs for integration with other systems
• Some controllers have universal inputs for connecting various sensors

Compatibility issues:

• Different manufacturers use their own encryption protocols
• Differences in data transmission formats between devices
• Lack of standards in the smart home industry

Recommendation: For maximum compatibility, it’s better to use equipment from the same manufacturer or equipment that officially supports interoperability. According to termomat.ru, some thermostat models support Wi-Fi wireless technology, which simplifies integration with various systems.

Proper Connection Scheme

Your connection scheme is generally correct but requires some clarification:

1. Wi-Fi Thermostats - installed in rooms with air temperature sensors
2. Zone Controller - connected to servo drives and actuators
3. Servo Drives - installed on the manifold to control heat carrier flow in zones
4. Wireless Bridge - ensures communication between thermostats and controller

Optimal Architecture:

Wi-Fi Thermostats → Wireless Gateway → Zone Controller → Servo Drives → Manifold
                                      ↓
                                Actuators (pump, boiler)

According to information from tim-zeissler.ru, the zone communicator is a wired switching block that controls actuators based on information from thermostats.

Managing Multiple Zones in One Room

To manage 4 underfloor heating zones in one room, several approaches can be used:

Option 1: Zonal Separation

• Each zone has its own servo drive
• One thermostat controls all 4 zones through the controller
• Requires 4 independent servo drives

Option 2: Servo Drive Combination

• All 4 servo drives are connected to one controller terminal
• One thermostat controls the combined zone
• More economical but less flexible

Recommendation: If the 4 zones are in one room and have the same temperature requirements, combining servo drives into one zone is an acceptable solution. This will simplify management and reduce system cost.

Solution for ZEISSLER ZC8.1.220LED2

The ZEISSLER ZC8.1.220LED2 controller indeed doesn’t have built-in Wi-Fi support, but the following solution can be used:

Adding External Wi-Fi Module:

1. Purchasing a separate Wi-Fi gateway - a device that receives signals from thermostats and transmits them to the controller via relay inputs
2. Using a smart plug - with relay control for turning on/off individual channels
3. Connecting to Raspberry Pi - creating a software bridge between wireless thermostats and the controller

Alternative Controllers with Wi-Fi:

• TECH Controllers L-X WiFi - supports wired and wireless operating modes
• TIM with Wi-Fi Module - offers a hybrid solution for smart homes

According to data from mnogo-tepla.ru, the zone communicator is a wired switching block designed to control actuators in the heating system based on information from thermostats.

Practical System Implementation

Steps for installing a smart system:

1. Selection and installation of thermostats

   • Place thermostats in each room with temperature sensors
   • Configure Wi-Fi connection and mobile app
   • Set temperature modes for each zone

2. Mounting the zone controller

   • Install the controller in an accessible location
   • Connect servo drives to appropriate channels
   • Connect actuators (pump, boiler)

3. Setting up wireless communication

   • Install Wi-Fi gateway between thermostats and controller
   • Configure system logic in the mobile app
   • Set up automated scenarios (on/off by time)

4. Testing and calibration

   • Check operation of each zone
   • Adjust temperature settings
   • Configure energy-efficient operating modes

Important: According to smartaura.ru, proper thermostat configuration and temperature sensor calibration are key to efficient underfloor heating system operation.

Sources

1. Smart Aura Smart WiFi Thermostat for Water Underfloor Heating
2. Teplopuls WiFi Thermostats for Underfloor Heating
3. ZEISSLER 8-Channel Zone Communicator
4. Teplograd ZEISSLER Zone Communicator
5. Termomat Thermostat E 51.716 Wi-Fi
6. Thermolux Thermostats with Remote Control
7. Lemana PRO Thermostats with Wi-Fi
8. EKF Smart Thermostat for Underfloor Heating
9. Mnogo Teplya TIM Zone Communicator
10. VK Post about Connecting Servo Drives via ZEISSLER

Conclusion

Creating a smart control system for water underfloor heating with wireless Wi-Fi thermostats requires careful planning and selection of compatible equipment. Main conclusions:

1. Smart Aura, EKF Connect, and Thermolux thermostats offer good price-to-quality ratios with reliable Wi-Fi connectivity.

2. ZEISSLER ZC8.1.220LED2 controller can be used with an external Wi-Fi gateway to receive signals from thermostats.

3. Boiler and pump control in the controller is necessary for energy efficiency and centralized system management.

4. Equipment compatibility between different manufacturers is possible but requires careful verification of communication protocols.

5. Combining multiple servo drives in one room under the control of one thermostat is an economical solution.

It’s recommended to start by installing Wi-Fi thermostats in each room, then add a zone controller with a wireless bridge, and gradually expand system functionality as needed.