Why Every Home Should Have a Smart Thermostat

Smart devices and appliances are everywhere these days – from phones to fridges – there’s just no getting away from them! Some smart devices might be more gimmicky than others but one that every home should consider is a smart thermostat. As prices for heating our homes continues to rise it is becoming even more necessary for us to keep a close eye on energy usage. Smart thermostats are a fantastic bit of kit that can help keep our homes at the perfect temperature while avoiding heating rooms we are not using.

How do they work?

In a nutshell a smart thermostat connects to your boiler through your WIFI allowing you to control your heating via an app on your smartphone. One thing to stress is that smart thermostats are not the same as smart meters! Smart thermostats allow you to remotely control your boiler while smart meters deal with your actual meter readings.

Smart thermostats are easy to install – usually involving connecting a wireless hub to your boiler and having a wall or table mounted wireless thermostat controller. The most comprehensive smart thermometers come with individual smart radiator valves – allowing you to create ‘zones’ which can be programmed to suit your particular needs and requirements.

Software updates, upgrades and support

As with any smart device software will need updating to ensure your thermostat is secure and will continue to work properly. Most brands offer a minimum of 2 years support but it is worth taking into account when looking at installing a smart thermometer.

Why you can’t live without a smart thermostat in your home!

• Being able to access your boiler remotely through your smartphone allows you to control your heating even while you are away from the house. How annoying is it to come home to a freezing cold house after a holiday? Well with a smart thermostat you can tell your heating to come on so that when you get home it’s the perfect temperature.
• Being able to regulate the temperature of your home more efficiently will help you keep a close eye on energy spending.
• Work from home one day a week? A smart thermostat allows you to programme your home/office space to be heated on the days you need it and not when you’re all out of the house.
• More advanced smart thermometers ‘learn’ your routine and adjust to suit your needs.
• ‘Holiday mode’ allows you to ensure the boiler keeps at temperature to prevent your pipes from freezing when you are away.

If you are considering installing a smart thermometer you can ask a professional to carry out the work for you. If you are competent at DIY you could install it yourself –  depending on the brand you choose. While some brands do state their thermometers are  easy to install the instructions are not always clear and easy to follow so do bear that in mind.