Smart thermostats

A smart thermostat is one of the most effective tools for managing your home’s energy consumption. Unlike traditional thermostats, which rely on manual adjustment, smart thermostats connect to your Wi-Fi, allowing you to control your heating from anywhere and automate your comfort.

Key features of smart thermostats

1. Remote control

The ability to turn your heating on or off via a smartphone app is the core feature of any smart thermostat. If you are delayed coming home or forget to turn the heating off when you leave, you can adjust it instantly.

2. Zonal heating (Multi-room control)

By pairing a smart thermostat with Smart Radiator Valves (TRVs), you can control the temperature of each room individually. This prevents you from wasting energy heating bedrooms during the day or living rooms at night.

3. Geofencing

Some systems use your smartphone’s GPS location to know when you are leaving or approaching home. The system can automatically turn the heating down as you leave and pre-heat the house as you return.

4. Self-learning and optimisation

Advanced thermostats, such as the Google Nest, can learn your daily routine and temperature preferences over time. They also use “weather compensation” to adjust the heating intensity based on the outside temperature.

5. Energy reports

Most smart thermostats provide detailed reports showing when and why your heating was on, helping you identify further ways to save.

  • Google Nest: Known for its “learning” capabilities and sleek design.
  • Tado°: Excellent for zonal control and geofencing.
  • Hive: Popular in the UK, particularly for its ease of use and integration with British Gas services.
  • Drayton Wiser: A modular system that is very easy to install and expand with smart TRVs.

Installation Tip: Most smart thermostats are compatible with modern gas and oil boilers. However, if you have a heat pump, you should ensure your thermostat supports “OpenTherm” or the specific communication protocol used by your heat pump manufacturer for maximum efficiency.

Is a smart thermostat right for you?

A smart thermostat is a great investment if:

  • Your schedule is unpredictable.
  • You often forget to turn the heating off.
  • You want to control specific rooms independently.
  • You want to integrate your heating with other smart home devices.