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To turn the heater on, the temperature you set must be at least 0.5°C higher than the current room temperature. How do smart radiator valves work? Read our expert guide to see if adding these to your heating system is the right call for you Those with a busy, irregular lifestyle A smart thermostat will let you control your heating remotely, making sure the boiler isn't on when you're out and letting you adjust the schedule on the go. The big difference with an outdoor plug is that it should be outdoor rated - and this one is, but only up to IP44. This means you can't drop it in the pool (which hopefully you weren’t planning on) but it also won't hold up under a heavy downpour. It will handle temperature extremes though, from -10°C up to a balmy 40°C. Regardless of which you choose, they’re easy to use once installed, especially since you control them using a smartphone app or, in some instances, voice commands if you also own one of the best smart speakers.
Love the idea of zonal heating control, but don't want to break the bank? Then Drayton Wiser is worth considering.You'll need a thermostat for each radiator in your home to get the most out of the system. Still, as thermostats are around a third cheaper than rival systems from Honeywell and Tado, the overall cost is more affordable.Higher upfront costs Although they are coming down in price, smart thermostats generally cost more than non-smart heating controls. This goes up even more if you're also getting smart radiator valves. While some smart thermostats are described as being able to be 'self-installed', our tests have found that some don't have clear enough instructions or diagrams for this to be the case. Unless you're a component DIYer, or if the smart thermostat instructions don't say it can be self-installed, we would recommend getting a professional electrician to do it. Those comfortable using smartphone apps If you're tech-savvy, you'll get the most out of the various energy-saving features a smart thermostat offers. Before selecting the right smart thermostat for you, there are some aspects to consider.As we’ve already mentioned, there are two types of smart thermostats to consider. Smart thermostats that control your system as a whole are usually more affordable and easier to install than smart thermostats that offer zonal control. However, you may find you’re still heating or cooling rooms that you’re not using and subsequently wasting energy and money. You can create multiple heating zones. Using multiple smart thermostats, or a smart thermostat with smart radiator valves, you can control the temperature on a room-by-room basis and make further energy savings.
Some smart thermostats let you set different temperatures in different parts of your home from the same smartphone app. This would be particularly useful if you have a larger property and only parts of it are in use at a time.
How The DIY Works Team Tests & Rates Smart Plugs
However, it's less clear how much you'll save if you already have a device to control and schedule your boiler. In the same 2021 survey, three quarters of Which? members who own a smart thermostat don't know if they've saved money since getting one, or have spent around the same amount. Pros of a smart thermostat?
To make the most of a smart thermostat system, you will need to work with the technology, not just rely on it doing some magic. Smart thermostats record all your heating data and let you see how your energy use changes over time. This saves you the trouble of having to program a schedule yourself, potentially offering savings without you having to do much extra work. In a 2021 survey of 315 Which? members, two thirds said they found their heating easier to schedule after installing a smart thermostat. So, if easy control is what you want, you're likely to get this by going 'smart' with your heating.There are pros and cons, but we use it ourselves for its straightforward integration with Apple gizmos. The platform is baked into the phone you already own, so it couldn’t be easier to get started. You can simply add items like smart light bulbs or plugs to your home setup, and include a smart speaker through Apple’s HomePod or a streaming device like the Apple TV. Either of these can act as a “home hub”, enabling you to command and automate your home while you’re away.
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