🕑 5 minutes read
How many times have you found yourself adjusting your home thermostat up and down, trying to get that ideal temperature? Automation has advanced considerably over the years, seeing the introduction of self-drive cars (like them, loathe them, or fear them). Automation has impacted our lives in many areas, even with home heating.
Now smart heating is available, which is something we should all consider. Investing in a smart system can ensure our central heating system is running smoothly, efficiently and in a cost-effective way. You may have heard or read the hype about smart controls, but are they worth the investment?
Well, the fact is smart controllers offer greater flexibility and control over how much energy is consumed for heating. They can contribute to saving on monthly energy bills, and anything that can contribute to saving has to be worth considering.
First, we need to weigh up the pros and cons of the technology, which we intend to do in this blog.
With smart technology, homeowners can control their internal environment throughout the day based on pre-selected settings. The most up-to-date smart controllers also come with many additional features.
In addition, some will offer other features, including security cameras (for remote surveillance), smart plugs and much more for you to monitor what's happening when away from home. A key thing to remember less energy waste and lower energy bills.
Let's look at a few of the main benefits and drawbacks of this technology.
Most importantly, when thinking about installing a smart thermostat, ask yourself, ‘will it actually deliver a cost saving?’ Short answer, yes. However, the amount saved depends on the product brand, house size, and family needs.
Although there are many factors to consider, generally, you can anticipate savings in the region of approximately 10%. Smart thermostat prices will vary; some may be purchased for just over £130+. Whatever the price, you will see a reduction in your energy bills. Keep track of your energy usage and costs prior to installing a smart thermostat; you can then make a comparison. Although they are referred to as ‘smart’ thermostats, we, too, have to be smart in how we use the technology.
➜ Easy to use.
With a basic understanding of app usage or voice recognition, you can adjust the temperature in your home remotely using your mobile phone and the programmable technology, or it can be done manually at home. It might seem a bit daunting for the less technologically inclined, but it will (eventually) lead to energy savings in the future.
➜ Once set, leave it.
Another benefit of a smart thermostat is its ability to anticipate, over time, your arrival and departure, giving it precise control over the climate.
Yes, you will need to set up the connection to your mobile phone and thermostat are communicating with each other, but once everything is working as it should, the settings are saved means less intervention. Another advantage is not having to concern yourself with home climate control. Even when away on business or on holiday, you can make adjustments so your home is nice and cosy on your return.
➜ Eco friendly.
Undoubtedly, smart controllers will assist in lowering energy usage and make us more aware of how we use energy. Using less energy has to be a plus for the environment and our pockets!
If the installation is not for you, then engage a reputable company versed in installing smart thermostats. It’s not worth just dabbling with the technology. It needs to be set up correctly if you want the ultimate benefits from the unit.
If you opt for a ‘hard wired’ setup then your cabelling may require C-wires (blue in colour), commonly known as a ‘common wire’, and works with most if not all thermostats on the market. Older houses might not have a C-wire option; therefore, an adaptor is required to manage this. What is an adaptor?
As many homes do not have this common wire to provide a pathway to power a Wi-Fi thermostat C -wire power adaptors make smart thermostats compatible with older properties without a C-Wire. Unfortunately, this means unsightly cabeling from the thermostat to the power source.
➜ Occupancy footfall.
A smart thermostat is influenced by the footfall in a property and automatically makes the necessary adjustments. If you’re based permanently at home, the temperature will remain at the adjusted settings. If nobody is home, the thermostat will lower the temperature to save energy. Therefore, working from home means the heating will be on continuously unless you choose to operate it manually.
A smart thermostat may take time to assess your daily routine; the manufacturer must confirm exactly how long it takes to make the assessment and adjustments.
➜ Can be expensive.
While some of the most recent smart thermostats are competitively priced, many feature-rich models may be more expensive. However, many contend that long-term energy savings can compensate for the expenditure. Overall, having a smart thermostat yields more pros than cons.
Make sure the smart thermostat is compatible with your wiring and appliances before you buy. Go to the manufacturers' websites to get the data, which will help you to decide.
• Distant sensors
Get a thermostat compatible with modest remote temperature sensors to ensure balanced heating and cooling throughout your home.
• Control options
Most smart thermostat models include voice control via Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant. Smart thermostats are configured via a smartphone app.
• Geolocation
When geolocation is enabled, a thermostat can determine whether you are at home or not and make an energy-saving adjustment to the temperature - now that has to be worthwhile.
If you need a qualified electrical engineer to manage your installation, then call serviceteam to arrange an appointment. Alternatively, go online and use our online booking platform to arrange a visit. When you book online, you receive a 5% discount off our advertised rates.
Now smart heating is available, which is something we should all consider. Investing in a smart system can ensure our central heating system is running smoothly, efficiently and in a cost-effective way. You may have heard or read the hype about smart controls, but are they worth the investment?
Well, the fact is smart controllers offer greater flexibility and control over how much energy is consumed for heating. They can contribute to saving on monthly energy bills, and anything that can contribute to saving has to be worth considering.
First, we need to weigh up the pros and cons of the technology, which we intend to do in this blog.
What is a Smart Thermostat?
A smart thermostat is a device that is controlled via a smartphone, tablet, smart speaker, or other internet-enabled software. Typically, smart thermostats allow you programme your preferred temperature settings from anywhere that has access to the internet.With smart technology, homeowners can control their internal environment throughout the day based on pre-selected settings. The most up-to-date smart controllers also come with many additional features.
Smart Heating Systems, how do they work?
Smart Heating Systems have been designed to make how we control our home heating almost effortless. You will need to research many brand names to determine which one is right for you. We will be using a few product names here, so bear with us; if you haven’t heard of them, go on the internet and do your homework. The options are: hard-wired or wireless such as Hive, Drayton, Wiser, Tado etc. all are worth researching before you select one. Don't just select the one that seemingly has the most advertising budget or hype.In addition, some will offer other features, including security cameras (for remote surveillance), smart plugs and much more for you to monitor what's happening when away from home. A key thing to remember less energy waste and lower energy bills.
Let's look at a few of the main benefits and drawbacks of this technology.
Pros:
➜ Saves money.Most importantly, when thinking about installing a smart thermostat, ask yourself, ‘will it actually deliver a cost saving?’ Short answer, yes. However, the amount saved depends on the product brand, house size, and family needs.
Although there are many factors to consider, generally, you can anticipate savings in the region of approximately 10%. Smart thermostat prices will vary; some may be purchased for just over £130+. Whatever the price, you will see a reduction in your energy bills. Keep track of your energy usage and costs prior to installing a smart thermostat; you can then make a comparison. Although they are referred to as ‘smart’ thermostats, we, too, have to be smart in how we use the technology.
➜ Easy to use.
With a basic understanding of app usage or voice recognition, you can adjust the temperature in your home remotely using your mobile phone and the programmable technology, or it can be done manually at home. It might seem a bit daunting for the less technologically inclined, but it will (eventually) lead to energy savings in the future.
➜ Once set, leave it.
Another benefit of a smart thermostat is its ability to anticipate, over time, your arrival and departure, giving it precise control over the climate.
Yes, you will need to set up the connection to your mobile phone and thermostat are communicating with each other, but once everything is working as it should, the settings are saved means less intervention. Another advantage is not having to concern yourself with home climate control. Even when away on business or on holiday, you can make adjustments so your home is nice and cosy on your return.
➜ Eco friendly.
Undoubtedly, smart controllers will assist in lowering energy usage and make us more aware of how we use energy. Using less energy has to be a plus for the environment and our pockets!
Cons:
➜ Installation may be complex.If the installation is not for you, then engage a reputable company versed in installing smart thermostats. It’s not worth just dabbling with the technology. It needs to be set up correctly if you want the ultimate benefits from the unit.
If you opt for a ‘hard wired’ setup then your cabelling may require C-wires (blue in colour), commonly known as a ‘common wire’, and works with most if not all thermostats on the market. Older houses might not have a C-wire option; therefore, an adaptor is required to manage this. What is an adaptor?
As many homes do not have this common wire to provide a pathway to power a Wi-Fi thermostat C -wire power adaptors make smart thermostats compatible with older properties without a C-Wire. Unfortunately, this means unsightly cabeling from the thermostat to the power source.
➜ Occupancy footfall.
A smart thermostat is influenced by the footfall in a property and automatically makes the necessary adjustments. If you’re based permanently at home, the temperature will remain at the adjusted settings. If nobody is home, the thermostat will lower the temperature to save energy. Therefore, working from home means the heating will be on continuously unless you choose to operate it manually.
A smart thermostat may take time to assess your daily routine; the manufacturer must confirm exactly how long it takes to make the assessment and adjustments.
➜ Can be expensive.
While some of the most recent smart thermostats are competitively priced, many feature-rich models may be more expensive. However, many contend that long-term energy savings can compensate for the expenditure. Overall, having a smart thermostat yields more pros than cons.
Are smart controllers really worth it?
They are, based on the variety and range of products and functionality. Although a smart controller may seem like a ‘luxury’ gadget with the features, it offers more economical energy usage and cost savings and will help the environment, by how much - the jury is still out!Things to consider before your purchase.
• CompatibilityMake sure the smart thermostat is compatible with your wiring and appliances before you buy. Go to the manufacturers' websites to get the data, which will help you to decide.
• Distant sensors
Get a thermostat compatible with modest remote temperature sensors to ensure balanced heating and cooling throughout your home.
• Control options
Most smart thermostat models include voice control via Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant. Smart thermostats are configured via a smartphone app.
• Geolocation
When geolocation is enabled, a thermostat can determine whether you are at home or not and make an energy-saving adjustment to the temperature - now that has to be worthwhile.
If you need a qualified electrical engineer to manage your installation, then call serviceteam to arrange an appointment. Alternatively, go online and use our online booking platform to arrange a visit. When you book online, you receive a 5% discount off our advertised rates.
