Smart Heating Controls That Are Worth Fitting
Smart controls are only as good as the system underneath them.
Smart controls are only as good as the system underneath them. Fitted to a balanced, well-zoned system they genuinely help; fitted to a system with a stuck valve and cold radiators they just give you an app that shows the problem.
What actually saves energy
Accurate scheduling, a properly sited room sensor and, where the boiler supports it, modulating control rather than simple on/off switching.
Compatibility questions
Whether your boiler supports OpenTherm or a manufacturer protocol, and whether the existing wiring centre can accept the new controller.
Sensor placement
A hallway stat above a radiator reads the radiator, not the house. Moving the sensor often does more than the smart features.
Questions we get asked
Will smart controls cut my bills?
They can reduce waste, but we will not put a percentage on it — the saving depends on the building and the household.
Do smart TRVs replace a room thermostat?
No. You still need a controlling stat so the boiler always has an open circulation path.
Can controls be fitted without draining the system?
Controls generally yes; adding zone valves means a drain down.