Smart heating made simple: we tried out this clever technology that can save you money
Is smart heating worth the hype? How to save money and still have a cosy home
In the middle of winter there’s nothing better than putting the heating on and basking in the warmth of a cosy home. Have you considered smart heating?
Smart home technology promises a solution to keeping your home nice and cosy while also saving you money on your energy bills.
Taking the Nation’s Temperature
New research funded by smart heating gurus Wiser has found that “Many Brits are embracing technology to save energy, with 66% using energy saving lightbulbs, over half (51%) now using a smart meter to track energy use, and one in 5 using smart home heating for better control and bigger savings”.
This points to one thing- you can save some cash if you make a few small changes.
Wiser’s investigation into energy saving habits
When the temperatures drop as low as they have been recently, having an eye on your heating bill is becoming more and more important.
Now that the energy price cap has risen again, it’s time to get clever and make sure your home is heated as efficiently as possible.
Wiser’s poll of 2,000 adults across the UK has revealed that Brits are saving on their energy bills in a variety of inventive ways. 76% of those interviewed have turned their heating down, or in some cases, off.
But there must be less drastic things you can do other than switching your heating off.
In fact, turning your heating off completely is not recommended. According to The Met Office, “Ideally you should heat your home to a temperature of at least 18 °C”, and that’s not possible without at least some heating in your home.
Of course, you can ramp up your loft insulation, check for draughty doors and windows, and wear an extra layer of clothes at home, but the best way to take control of your home is by combining advanced technology with traditional heating systems.
You can’t change the temperature outside, but you can help make sure your home is warm and welcoming with a smart heating system.
You can use our smart heating guide to find out more about intelligent home heating.
What makes heating smart?
You’re probably familiar with “smart” technology already, whether it’s a smart phone, smart toaster, or smart lightbulbs.
They’re devices that you can control wirelessly with your phone or even your voice that offer more options than standard appliances.
The biggest benefit of smart home heating is that you can control it wirelessly from anywhere you like.
You don’t need to physically be in your home to warm it up or cool it down.
If you spend time away from home and want to make sure your home stays dry and mould-free, smart heating is a tempting upgrade.
And with the help of this technology, you could save yourself a few quid on your energy bills as well.
For better economy you can set precise temperatures in different parts of your home and at different times.
Let’s say you want to wake up to a balmy 20° Celsius in your bedroom.
Using smart radiator valves, you can heat just that room before you wake up, then warm up your kitchen when it’s time for your morning cup of tea.
The savings don’t stop there either.
Rather than setting a “dumb” timer for your heating to blaze away for hours every day regardless of the temperature outside, you can use a clever function on the Wiser Home app that monitors the weather and adjusts your heating accordingly.
The Wiser Way to Heat Your Home
To prove that you can take control of your energy bills and possibly save a bit of cash, Wiser sent me one of their Smart Heating Kits to test out.
The kit starts with a controller hub called the Heat HubR.
This device talks to your boiler, whether it’s an older one that heats a tank of water, or a more modern combination boiler.
Then there’s the room thermostat that goes on the wall or a shelf. It tells you the current temperature and humidity on a small LED screen.
Last of all is a pair of smart Thermostatic Control Valves (TRVs).
These control the temperature of individual radiators. Decked out in handsome anthracite grey, it’s a good looking set that makes a change from boring white appliances.
Wiser’s room thermostat in anthracite grey
Installing the Wiser Heat HubR is a piece of cake if you already have an industry-standard wall plate. All you need to do is undo two screws, remove the old controller, and clip the new one into place.
If you don’t have one, fitting the plate is a basic DIY job. However, if you have any concerns, call in a professional electrician.
Once the hub is connected to your home Wi-Fi network, you need to connect the thermostat and any smart TRVs.
Connecting is a doddle thanks to the clear instructions on the app. Now it’s time to enjoy an intelligently heated home.
If you’re not very techy, figuring out how to set up your new smart heating network can be a fiddle. Luckily, Wiser’s ongoing support is rather good.
Once you’re all set up, you can control your heating via the app from wherever you are in the world.
High Tech Heating
All you need to do now is set up a schedule to suit your level of comfort. And to save money you can turn on Eco Mode.
It monitors your home’s thermal properties and adjusts the temperatures and times to suit the weather outside.
Then there’s the very useful Away Mode to play with. If you’re leaving your property empty for a while it overrides your schedule and keeps a minimum temperature instead.
You’ll save money by not overheating the property and avoid nasty burst pipes if it’s freezing outside.
You can even connect it to your Alexa or Google Home account.
This means you can adjust your heating with your voice. It’s not a necessity, but it’s quite fun being able to boost your heating without getting out of bed.
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