A technology that is about four centuries old, thermostats have transformed over time, acquiring digital displays and programmable features in the 1980s and internet connectivity for remote control and monitoring in the late 2000s. They are widely used in residential, commercial and industrial environments, specifically in applications that require temperatures maintained at a specific cooling, heating or ventilation level. These temperature regulators also ensure energy efficiency as well as function as safety devices.
In China, a major hub for thermostats, mechanical and conventional digital types form the bulk of production. These are for household appliances and automotive cooling systems. Other target applications are in HVAC systems, heating and cooling equipment, and temperature-controlled processes used in factories and other industries.
Smart trend
In recent years, there has been greater emphasis on digital thermostats, especially the growing smart subcategory, in China.
The market for smart units posted a CAGR of 4.6 percent between 2018 and 2022 worldwide, according to Huajing Intelligence Network, a platform for industrial economic intelligence and research in China. But what has caught the attention of Chinese manufacturers is the significant increase in smart thermostats’ domestic performance, which achieved 11.4 percent CAGR from 2017 to 2023.
As 5G communication and the Internet of Things continue to prosper and fuel the popularity of smart homes and buildings, this subcategory is likely to maintain two-digit growth. This has prompted Chinese manufacturers to develop and introduce more smart thermostats.
One example is the HY08AC-1WiFi from Xiamen Hysen Control Technology Co. Ltd, one of suppliers interviewed for this report. The device’s features include fan coil control, weekly time programming, remote control via Wi-Fi connection and voice control compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This CE-marked and RoHS-compliant unit can be used in homes, buildings or industrial areas.
Globally, there is more to look forward to. Statista said that smart thermostats, which reached $154.4 billion in 2024, would rise further to $231.6 billion in 2028 at 10.67 percent CAGR. The top markets are the US, the UK, Germany and Japan.
Overall market growth
Globally, thermostats have an expanding market, with high growth attributed to continuing innovations. They were in the scale of $2.39 billion in 2023 and are forecast to reach $4.73 billion in 2029 at a CAGR of 12.1 percent.
In China, the total value was $772 million in 2023 and will post a double-digit rise through 2025 thanks to robust demand in the smart home, home appliances and automotive industries.
Based on earlier projections, Chinese companies plan to emphasize exports in the coming years and peg the increase in shipments to exceed 10 percent in 2025 and 2026. Most currently send between 20 and 60 percent of their products abroad, mainly to Europe, the US and the Asia-Pacific region.
Others are more ambitious. Jiujiang Hengtong AutoControl, a first-tier maker in the country, is aiming for over 20 percent growth in export value in 2025. This target was made after the company realized $19.44 million in 2024 or a 42 percent increase year on year.
Production hub
A major manufacturing hub for thermostats, China’s pool consists of hundreds of domestic enterprises and foreign-invested companies. The latter group includes Sensata, Ubukata and Asahi Keiki, while Foshan Tongbao Huatong, Jiatai, SunLd and Ningbo Sunlight are some of the major homegrown suppliers. Foshan Tongbao Huatong ranks first in thermostats for households in the world and has an annual production of 150 million units.
Many factories are found in Dongguan, Ningbo, Yueqing and Suzhou. Lianjiang, a county-level city in Zhanjiang, Guangdong and China’s largest production base for small home appliances, has also attracted thermostat makers.
Mechanical and digital thermostats
Chinese companies offer mechanical and digital thermostats to cater to various performance and price requirements.
The common options in mechanical types are bimetal, vapor-tensioned, gas-actuated and liquid expansion units widely used in home appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators. These have a rated voltage of 220VAC at 50/60Hz, maximum rated current of 2 or 3A, temperature range of 0 to 300 C and accuracy of ±1, ±3 or ±5 C.
Digital thermostats are categorized based on the temperature sensor used, which may be a thermistor or thermocouple. They are mainly used in food processing, instruments and other industrial applications requiring high precision. Typical specifications include 95 to 240VAC rated voltage at 50/60Hz, 3, 16, 20 or 30A rated current, 5 to 75 C temperature range and ±1 C accuracy.
The key materials used in the manufacture of mechanical thermostats include metal sheets, aluminum plates and terminal blocks, while digital counterparts have temperature sensors, controllers, passive components, PCBs and LCDs. These components are sourced from domestic or foreign providers, depending on buyers’ preferences.
The cost of these inputs will stay the same in the coming months and keep thermostat prices at current levels.
The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in thermostats from Chinese makers.
Smart thermostat
Company: Shenzhen Coolseer Technology Co. Ltd
Compatible with Amazon Alexa and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, the COL-009GALW smart thermostat from Shenzhen Coolseer has 95 to 240VAC voltage. Its load current is 3A for a water heater, water or gas boiler or 16A for an electric heater.
MOQ: 10 units
Lead time: 7 days
Bimetal thermostat
Company: Taizhou Mingjia Electric Appliance Co. Ltd
From Taizhou Mingjia, the KSD303C bimetal thermostat has 210 or 380VAC voltage, 5 to 16A resistive load current, 0 to 300 C action temperature range, ±2, 3, 5 and 10 C temperature accuracy, 8 to 100 C reply or reset and action temperature difference and ≥100,000-cycle service life. It conforms to cUL and UL standards.
MOQ: 100 units
Lead time: 30 days
Smart thermostat
Company: Xiamen Hysen Control Technology Co. Ltd
Suitable for use in electric underfloor heating, the HY607smart thermostat from Xiamen Hysen has 90 to 240V, 50/60Hz input. It supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity and is compatible with the Tuya Smart and Smart Life apps.
MOQ: 1,000 units
Lead time: 7 days
Bimetal thermostat
Company: Yangzhou Baozhu Electric Appliance Co. Ltd
This bimetal thermostat from Yangzhou Baozhu, the TB06, has 5A resistive load at 120VAC, 3A at 250VAC or 6A at 24VDC, 0 to 200 C operating temperature and ±3 or ±5 C temperature tolerance. It conforms to UL, KC, CB and CQC standards.
MOQ: 1,000 units
Lead time: 7 days
