What is a smart thermostat?

How does a smart thermostat work, and is it worth getting one?

A smart thermostat is a handy tool that can help you use energy more efficiently in your home.

These clever devices connect to your home’s internet and let you manage your heating from your phone, whether you’re on the sofa or out and about. Unlike traditional thermostats, they can learn your routine, adjust temperatures automatically and even work in sync with other smart home features.

Smart heating controls like these are a simple way to help run your home more efficiently, and the cost savings can be significant. According to Energy Saving Trust, turning down your home’s main thermostat by one degree could shave as much as 10% off your annual energy bill.

Read on to work out whether a smart thermostat is the right solution for your home.

How much does a smart thermostat cost?

As with most heating controls and thermostat systems, the cost of a smart thermostat can vary depending on the make and model.

Typically, you can expect to purchase a wireless thermostat for somewhere in the region of £100 to £250. Another cost to factor in is installation – you can expect to pay around £30 to £80, given the process requires an hour or two to carry out.

Whatever model you decide on, smart thermostats are a significant investment. It is therefore worth shopping around and spending some time assessing different models.

Benefits of a smart thermostat

The amount of benefit you gain from using a smart thermostat will depend on several factors, including the type of home and how you use the system.

Some of the key advantages of utilising this form of smart heating controls include:

• LEARNING: Smart thermostats can learn your daily routines, automatically adjusting temperatures when you wake up, leave for work and head to bed. This means you don’t have to fiddle with settings throughout the day.
• LOCATION: Geofencing technology allows your thermostat to detect when your phone leaves or enters your home. It can then turn the heating down when you’re away and fire back up just before you return.
• INSIGHTS: Smart thermostats gather lots of information on your energy usage. It can show how much heating you use each day and when – this could help you identify ways to cut down. Some models also enable multi-room control and draught detection, allowing for even greater control over heating usage.
• REMOTE ACCESS: Smart heating controls such as these allow you to control your heating from anywhere using a smartphone. This can help to save energy, as you can avoid heating an empty house if your plans change unexpectedly.
• INTEGRATION: Most smart thermostats work seamlessly with other smart home devices, letting you use voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Home to adjust your temperature.
• MAINTENANCE: Many smart thermostat models can detect when your heating system isn’t performing efficiently. When this happens, they can help you stay on top of boiler maintenance by alerting you to potential issues before they become major problems.
• WEATHER RESPONSIVE: Some smart heating control systems can adjust their settings based on weather forecasts and outdoor temperatures. This can help to save energy by turning down the heat on unexpectedly sunny days or increasing temperature when a cold snap is predicted, which can also prevent pipes from bursting.

These benefits may sound complex, but it is important to note that many of them require little input to obtain once the system has been set up. Features such as geofencing and self-learning happen automatically – the system will adjust best suit your lifestyle without you having to spend time plugging instructions.

Cons of a smart thermostat

Although there are some clear advantages of using smart thermostat systems, they are not necessarily the best option for every homeowner.

When making a decision, it is important weigh up some of the potential downsides. For example, you might want to consider if any of the below may apply to you and your home.

• UPFRONT COSTS: While manufacturers often promise significant savings, there’s no guaranteed return on your investment. Actual savings will depend heavily on your usage patterns and existing heating system efficiency.
• CONNECTIVITY: Many key features rely on a stable internet connection. If your wifi goes down, you might lose access to remote control and smart features. That said, basic heating functions should still work via manual controls on the thermostat screen.
• COMPLEXITY: Some users, particularly those less comfortable with technology, might find the array of features and settings overwhelming compared to traditional thermostats. Many features will look after themselves once the system is installed. However, the installation itself can be a fiddly process.
• COMPATIBILITY: Not all smart thermostats work with every heating system. Some older boilers or heating setups might need additional equipment or even be incompatible.
• DATA PRIVACY: As with any connected device, smart thermostats collect data about your home and habits. Some might feel uncomfortable about sharing this information with manufacturers.

Can I install a smart thermostat myself?

This depends on what make and model of smart thermostat you buy. Some wireless thermostat models are designed for easier self-installation and will come with detailed instructions on how to do so. First, you will need to check if your heating system is compatible and make sure you understand your wiring setup.

Most manufacturers will recommend and/or professional installation of their smart thermostat devices. This is especially the case if you are replacing a wired thermostat or need to connect to your boilers internal wiring. Getting it wrong could damage your heating system and present safety risks.

Do I need more than one smart thermostat?

For most typical houses, a single smart thermostat is perfectly adequate to control your heating system effectively. However, if your home already has separate thermostats for different areas – perhaps one upstairs and one downstairs – you may need to replace each one with a smart version to maintain the same level of control.

Whilst it’s possible to install multiple room thermostats to gain more precise control over different zones in your home, particularly in larger properties with many rooms, it’s not essential. One smart thermostat can usually manage your entire home’s heating effectively, especially when paired with smart radiator valves for room-by-room control.

Can smart thermostats be used with any kind of boiler? And what about heat pumps?

Most boilers, including standard gas boilers, heating oil and electric boilers, should be compatible with a smart thermostat. If your boiler can already be controlled by a standard thermostat, then there is a high probability that a smart thermostat system will also work. The same is true if you are connected to a communal or district heating system – if you already use a thermostat, there shouldn’t be a problem making the switch.

Before committing to a smart thermostat, check with the manufacturer to make sure it works with your boiler – most will list what systems they are compatible with. It is also worth noting that some new models of boiler come with their own smart thermostat. If you are seeking a new boiler, this could be a factor in your decision making.

Heat pumps are a more complex matter. Many smart thermostat models will not work with a heat pump, although there are specially designed models which will.  

Why not just continue to use a manual thermostat?

Although smart thermostats offer impressive features and potential cost savings, sticking with your manual thermostat might make perfect sense. If you’re already energy-conscious, have regular daily routines or are comfortable adjusting your heating manually, the cost of upgrading might not be worth it. Likewise, if you are not particularly confident with technology or prefer simpler controls, a manual thermostat could remain your best option.

However, for many households, the switch to smart heating controls could lead to significant efficiency gains. If you often forget to turn the heating down when leaving your home, struggle to maintain comfortable temperatures, or simply want to better understand your energy usage, a smart thermostat could help. They are particularly valuable for people with varying schedules, those who want to heat different rooms at different times and households looking to trim their energy bills through more precise temperature control. If you fall into one of these categories, then it could be the right investment.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your lifestyle, level of comfort with technology and whether the potential savings justify the upfront investment.

Can I still switch supplier if I have a smart thermostat?

Yes, you can. Installing a smart thermostat into your home will not make a difference when it comes to choosing your energy supplier.

Can I use my smart thermostat to control my hot water?

Some smart thermostat devices will allow you to control your hot water. However, this will only typically work if you have a separate hot water tank. Even if you do have a separate water tank, not all smart thermostat systems will offer this feature, so it is always worth checking the details on the model you are looking at first. Some may require you buy some additional equipment to make it work.

If you can acquire a smart heating control system that allows for remote hot water control, then there are several practical benefits. These include heating up water in advance of returning home and turning off hot water when you go off on holiday to avoid wasting energy. Smart scheduling features are also useful, as these allow you to set specific times for heating hot water that align with when you actually need it – doing this can avoid using energy on keeping hot water all day.

Will I save money on my energy bills?

There can be no guarantee that you will save money with a smart thermostat.

What you save (or do not save) will depend on how you live and use your home. For example, you are more likely to cut your energy costs with a smart thermostat if you frequently leave and return home at different times. Features such as geocaching are useful here, as your heating can be switched on and off depending on your proximity to your home.

However, if you have a set routine, a traditional thermostat with a pre-programmed heating timetable will be just as effective. Similarly, if you’re at home most of the time, you can manage the level of heating very easily with a normal thermostat.

The difference between smart thermostats and smart meters

You might hear people talking about both smart thermostats and smart meters in the same conversation, but they are very different pieces of technology that serve separate purposes in your home.

A smart thermostat is a device that actively controls your heating system by connecting to your boiler and letting you manage temperatures through an app. It helps you set schedules and can use clever features such as geofencing to automatically adjust your heating based on whether you are home. This is something you choose to buy and install yourself to gain more control over your heating.

A smart meter, on the other hand, is installed by your energy supplier to automatically track how much gas and electricity you are using. It sends these readings directly to your supplier instead of you providing manual meter readings and receiving estimated bills. Although it comes with a display showing your energy usage and costs, it doesn’t actually control anything in your home.

Where is the best place to buy a smart thermostat?

You can buy smart thermostats from various electronics retailers, as well as directly from manufacturers.

Prices tend to be similar across the board, although some energy suppliers may offer smart thermostats as part of their tariffs. However, whilst they might seem ‘free’, you will likely pay for it through slightly higher energy rates.