Why Heatmiser Neo Is the Smartest Choice for Water Underfloor Heating in 2026

Water underfloor heating has a particular "personality". It is steady, it is efficient when it is run well, and it rewards good control. The problem is that a lot of homes still run wet underfloor heating like a single big circuit, where one setting tries to suit every room, every day, and every season.

Heatmiser Neo is built around a simple idea: give each space its own brain, then connect those brains so the whole system behaves like one coordinated network. In 2026, that feels like the smartest way to run hydronic underfloor heating because it lines up with how modern homes are used. A kitchen can be busy and warm, a bedroom can be cooler, a home office can follow working hours, and a guest room can stay economical until it is needed.

From a professional standpoint, I have seen the best results when controls match the strengths of wet UFH. Low flow temperatures, long steady run times, and predictable schedules can deliver comfort without the constant tweaking. Neo supports that style of heating well, because it makes zoning and scheduling practical, rather than fiddly.

What the Neo system actually is

Heatmiser Neo is a family of thermostats and accessories that work together through a Heatmiser Neohub, letting you control multiple heating zones from wall stats, from the Neo app, and through common smart home platforms.

At the centre sits the neoHub. It is the gateway that links compatible Neo thermostats to the app, and it is also the bridge for integrations such as Apple HomeKit and Google Home when you want voice control or automations.

Around that hub, you choose the thermostats that best suit each zone.

Heatmiser neoStat and neoAir for wet underfloor heating

Selecting the right thermostat format is usually about installation realities, not features. Both routes can be excellent for hydronic UFH when specified correctly.

Heatmiser neoStat: the wired wall thermostat

The Heatmiser neoStat is typically chosen where a wired thermostat is practical, such as new builds, full renovations, or any project where you are already chasing walls or running new cabling.

For water underfloor heating, the neoStat is commonly used as the room temperature controller for each zone. In a manifold based UFH layout, each thermostat calls for heat, then the wiring centre opens the relevant electrothermic actuators and enables the heat source as required.

Practical note from site work: wired stats can be the cleanest long term choice where you want maximum reliability and minimal dependence on radio signal conditions. Once the cable is in, the day to day experience is straightforward.

Heatmiser neoAir: the wireless, battery powered option

The Heatmiser neoAir is designed for situations where you want a thermostat in the perfect position, without opening walls to get there. It is battery powered and communicates wirelessly as part of the Neo ecosystem.

For wet UFH, neoAir is often paired with a compatible wireless wiring centre (the UH8-RF 8 zone wireless wiring centre) so that each wireless thermostat can still drive actuators on the manifold. That combination keeps the system modular and scalable, which is useful when you are extending a property, converting a loft, or splitting zones over time.

A detail that matters: wireless thermostats are only as good as the switching hardware behind them. When neoAir is matched with the correct wiring centre and set up carefully, it performs like a "proper" zoned system rather than a compromise.

Where neoStat and neoAir sit in the same home

Mixed installations are common. A renovation might use wired neoStats downstairs where floors are already up, then use neoAir upstairs to avoid disturbing finished rooms. The Neo ecosystem is designed to support that sort of blend through the same hub and the same app.

Zoning that makes sense, room by room

Zoning is where water UFH really shines, because each loop and actuator can be driven with purpose rather than guesswork.

Here is how the Neo style of control tends to play out in real homes.

True multi zone setups without complicated routines

With Neo, each room or area can be treated as its own zone. That means you can set:

• Different target temperatures for living areas, bathrooms, bedrooms, and circulation spaces
• Different schedules across the week, matching occupancy patterns
• Quick overrides for when plans change

This matters because wet UFH responds best when it is given a plan. A stable schedule reduces swings, keeps floor temperatures comfortable, and avoids the stop start behaviour that can waste energy.

Grouping and whole home control when you want it

Individual zones are great, yet there are times you want "whole home" behaviour, such as warming living spaces for a weekend morning or setting everything back when you are away. The Neo app supports multi zone control, so you can adjust several zones without walking from room to room.

Google Home and Apple HomeKit integration

Voice control and smart home automations can be useful when they remove friction. Via the neoHub, Heatmiser Neo supports integration with platforms including Google Home and Apple HomeKit.

That opens up practical routines, such as:

• A spoken temperature change in the kitchen while cooking
• A HomeKit scene that sets living areas to a comfort level while keeping bedrooms cooler
• Google Home routines that align heating set points with typical morning and evening patterns

The key is restraint. Smart home control is most valuable when it is used to support your heating strategy, not override it randomly.

Why the UH8 Wiring Centre matters for modular water UFH

Thermostats get the attention, yet the wiring centre is where hydronic underfloor heating becomes reliable.

The UH8 wiring centre is designed to coordinate up to eight heating zones and provide the switching outputs that a typical manifold and heat source need. In practical terms, it acts as the control brain at the manifold location.

What it does in a wet UFH install

When a zone calls for heat, the wiring centre can:

• Power the electrothermic actuators for that zone, opening the relevant manifold ports
• Enable the underfloor heating pump and valve outputs when required
• Provide a boiler enable signal through a volt free output, which is a common requirement for many heat sources
• Offer a hot water cylinder output on models that support domestic hot water control

Those functions are not "nice to have". They are what turn a set of room thermostats into a coordinated hydronic system.

Why it boosts performance rather than just tidying wiring

A good wiring centre improves behaviour. Features such as pump and valve control logic, plus protective routines that periodically exercise valves and pumps, can help reduce sticking and keep the system responsive after quieter seasons.

From experience, the homes that feel most consistent in comfort tend to have clean switching, clear zoning, and a wiring centre that was chosen for the system rather than forced to fit.

Energy savings through scheduling, not guesswork

Energy saving claims often get thrown around in heating conversations, yet wet UFH savings usually come from two things you can actually control: how long you heat, and what temperature you aim for in each zone.

Scheduling that respects the way wet UFH heats

Wet underfloor heating is slower than radiators to change room temperature, which makes scheduling more important, not less. The Neo app gives you an interface to set time and temperature patterns per zone, with easy overrides when life changes.

A feature worth calling out is Optimum Start, where the system can learn how long a space takes to reach temperature and begin preheating earlier so the room is warm at the scheduled time. That suits underfloor heating well, because it reduces the temptation to crank temperatures up at the last minute.

Geo Location for sensible setbacks

Heatmiser Neo supports a Geo Location feature through the app, allowing automatic set back behaviour when occupants leave and recovery when they return. Used carefully, this can reduce unnecessary heating time during irregular days, while still protecting comfort.

The value of visibility

The Neo app also provides insights such as hours run, which can help you spot zones that are heating more than expected. That kind of feedback is underrated. It turns heating from a mystery into something you can refine, one room at a time.

Pairing Heatmiser Neo controls with water UFH kits from ThermRite

Controls work best when the whole system is specified as a joined up set. ThermRite supplies compatible water underfloor heating kits that pair neatly with Heatmiser Neo controls, giving you a clear route from manifold and pipework through to zoning and smart control.

For readers planning a project, these are the product categories worth looking at on ThermRite site:

• Compatible automated temperature controller and pump assemblies that integrate seamlessly with Neo thermostats for complete zone control
• Premium manifold systems with auto air vents and temperature gauges for optimal distribution and monitoring
• Professional grade circulation pump solutions designed for reliable, energy efficient water UFH operation

A supplier that understands compatibility can save a lot of time at the design stage. It also helps reduce those frustrating moments where parts technically work, yet do not work together cleanly.

A practical checklist before you buy

The smoothest Neo powered water UFH projects usually start with a few decisions made early.

• Decide which rooms truly need their own zones, bathrooms and open plan spaces often benefit from being separated thoughtfully
• Choose wired neoStat where cabling is easy, choose neoAir where you need placement freedom
• Confirm how many zones you need today, then allow headroom if an extension or conversion is on the horizon
• Match the wiring centre to the thermostat type and the switching requirements of your heat source
• Plan schedules that suit the slower thermal response of wet UFH, steady routines beat constant manual changes

Final thoughts and your next step

Heatmiser Neo fits water underfloor heating in 2026 because it makes zoning feel natural, it supports the way hydronic floors deliver comfort, and it gives you app based control without turning your heating into a hobby.

The next step is simple. Map your home into sensible zones, decide where wired or wireless thermostats make the most sense, then choose compatible water underfloor heating components from ThermRite that support that plan. A well matched kit and control setup can deliver the kind of comfort you notice every day, while quietly keeping energy use in check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Heatmiser Neo work with water underfloor heating manifolds and actuators?

Yes. In a typical wet UFH setup, each Neo thermostat controls a zone, then a wiring centre switches the electrothermic actuators on the manifold and enables the pump and heat source outputs when there is demand.

Which should you choose for water UFH, neoStat or neoAir?

neoStat suits projects where you can run cables easily and you want a fixed wall thermostat, neoAir suits projects where you want flexible placement without opening walls. Many homes use a mix of both, controlled through the same neoHub and app.

How many zones can the UH8 Wiring Centre handle?

The UH8 family is designed around eight heating zones, which covers many common home layouts. Zone planning still matters, so it is worth counting rooms and thinking about future extensions before you choose your wiring centre.

Can Heatmiser Neo integrate with Apple HomeKit and Google Home?

Yes. Using a compatible neoHub, Neo devices can be integrated with Apple HomeKit and Google Home, which allows voice control and automation routines that align heating with your daily patterns.

What app features help reduce energy use with wet underfloor heating?

Per zone scheduling, quick overrides, Geo Location setbacks, and Optimum Start style preheat learning can all support lower running costs, because they reduce unnecessary heating time while keeping comfort predictable.