Radiant Ceiling Heat Thermostat Replacement [9 Easy Steps]

Radiant ceiling heat thermostat replacement is a relatively simple process if you have the space you need for the new thermostat figured out.

When you don’t know what the actual amperage pulled by your thermostat is, You should get a licensed professional to measure the resistance of the circuit to determine the amp draw per grid. 

After that, you can simply select an appropriate thermostat and follow our thermostat instructions to the T. You’ll get your thermostat reinstalled in no time.

Radiant Ceiling Heat Thermostat Replacement [9 Easy Steps]

Finding radiant ceiling heat in older homes is common. Most of these homes with radiant ceiling heat are fitted with the 1970s or 1980s thermostats. 

So the thermostat that needs replacement is most probably an analog one. It is natural for you to want to replace this analog thermostat with a digital one and we’ll help you do just that.

It is a relatively simple process and you don’t need high-level electrical knowledge to replace it yourself. Some experience with electricity is good enough to get you through this job.

However, if you aren’t feeling completely confident about doing the replacement yourself, I’ll recommend you hire a professional.

Keep scrolling to know the steps to replace your analog Radiant ceiling heat thermostat with a digital one. 

Step 1:

The first step is to turn off the power to the thermostat. So go to your main circuit breaker and turn off the power to the thermostat. 

Step 2:

Next, you need to remove the faceplate. For some models, you’re going to have to use a screwdriver to remove screws. While for other models, you’ll just have to pry the faceplate off. Underneath the faceplate, there is another plate. You’ll need to remove the screws holding it in place. Then pry it off.

Step 3:

Now, all of the wiring and the circuit board are going to be exposed. Take a picture of this because if your new thermostat doesn’t work, you’re going to have to reinstall the old one.

It’s also good to know where all the wires go. Don’t pay too much attention to the colors of the wires you just want to know which terminals they connect to. 

Step 4:

Then, you want to label the wires with the appropriate stickers. For instance, if you took a wire off of the G terminal, put a G label on that wire no matter what color it is. You may also have a jumper cable in your old circuit board. Your digital thermostat may not use a jumper at all.

Step 5:

Take off the circuit board and the backing plate of the old analog thermostat. You need to remove the screws that are holding it in place and then wedge in a screwdriver through a side to pry the backing plate off. 

Step 6:

Take the new plate with the new circuit board of the digital thermostat and just figure out where you want to place it exactly. Make sure that your wires do not fall into the wall when you are screwing the circuit board on your wall. You’ll probably need to drill holes to make the installation.

Step 7:

Using needlenose pliers straighten out all of the hooks on the wires. Take each wire and put it into the hole that it corresponds to on the new thermostat. 

You can check the user manual for your new thermostat. But for the most part, if you took a wire out of the G terminal, you need to put it into the G terminal on the new thermostat regardless of what color it is. Double-checking everything that you do is a good idea. Tuck the wires into that little hole in the middle of the plate.

Step 8:

Now, take the bottom portion that is flipping around and close it on the circuit board making sure it’s nice and securely closed. This will cover the wires in your circuit board completely.

Step 9:

Generally, old analog thermostats don’t have a common wire. If yours did, that’s great. You can get a thermostat that gets power from that. For some of you, that is not going to be the case. An easy solution is to get a battery-powered thermostat. In that case, put in the batteries before proceeding.

Click the thermostat in place. You may need to repaint the wall around your new thermostat. After that, you are done.

FAQ

How long does radiant ceiling heat last?

Ceiling and floor heating systems usually last longer than other traditional heating systems like gas or electrical furnaces. You can expect your radiant ceiling heat to run for some 30-45 years. But for that, you’ll need to keep up with the maintenance.

How expensive is radiant ceiling heat?

Radiant ceiling panels cost about $50-60 per square foot. The lower voltage and wattage versions will cost you the least. An average room can take up to 2 panels for sufficient heating. It may take about 1-3 hours to finish installation in a single room. So, it will cost you a lot of money to get it installed by a professional. Usually, a licensed electrician charges somewhere between $50 and $100. 

Does floor heating save money?

Yes. As floor heating is more targeted than furnaces, they are more efficient at heating a specific part of your house. They also last longer. I’d say it should save you some money overall.

What are the disadvantages of underfloor heating?

There are several radiant underfloor heating and radiant ceiling heat pros and cons. The cons are-

• High installation cost
• Heating takes longer
• After installation, you can’t put heavy furniture over the panels. This will restrict your layout options.

Can radiant heat make you sick?

Radiant ceiling heating functions without generating any kind of air movement. It doesn’t have any direct effect on humidity or air temperature. There is no risk of condensation or mold formation, spreading dust and mites, etc. Therefore, radiant heating doesn’t impose negative health risks on users. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, now that you know the steps to Radiant ceiling heat thermostat replacement, you’ll get it done ASAP.  

If you have more questions, let us know in the comment section below. We love hearing from our readers. We’ll get back to you soon.