Optimisation
The thermostat learns how long your home takes to heat and starts the boiler at the right time, instead of at a fixed hour.
Smart controls · Croydon
Smart thermostat installation in Croydon
Good controls decide how much gas your boiler actually burns. We fit smart thermostats, weather compensation and smart radiator valves, with a new boiler or on their own, and explain in plain terms what each one does.
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What they do
A thermostat that knows your week
A basic thermostat switches the heating on when the room is cold and off when it’s warm. A programmer decides the hours. A smart thermostat does both from your phone, and many learn how long your home takes to warm up, so it’s at temperature when you want it rather than starting at a fixed time.
The useful features aren’t the app. They’re the ones that change how the boiler runs: starting at the right moment, turning the heat down when nobody is in, and telling the boiler how hard to work rather than just on or off.
Which one suits you depends on your boiler, your phone and whether you want room-by-room control. We check compatibility with your boiler before recommending one.
Words on the box
The jargon, in plain English
Weather compensation
A sensor outside tells the boiler how cold it is. In mild weather it runs cooler water through the radiators, which uses less gas.
Load compensation
The thermostat tells the boiler how close the room is to the set temperature, so it turns down as it gets near.
OpenTherm
A shared language between thermostat and boiler, so it can ask for a gentler flame instead of just on and off. Both have to support it.
The rules
Boiler Plus: what controls a new boiler needs
In England, since April 2018, every new gas boiler must be fitted with controls that meet Boiler Plus. It applies when a boiler is installed.
| Boiler | Minimum | Plus one of these |
|---|---|---|
| Combi | Time and temperature control | Flue gas heat recovery, weather compensation, load compensation, or smart controls with automation and optimisation |
| System or regular | Time and temperature control | Not required by Boiler Plus, but the same features are still worth having |
Not every smart thermostat counts for a combi. It needs the automation and optimisation features, so we check the model as well as the brand.
Room by room
Smart radiator valves
A thermostat controls the whole house from one room. Smart radiator valves let each room keep its own temperature and timetable.
Heat only the rooms you use
Keep the spare room cool and the living room warm, each on its own schedule from the same app.
Fit onto existing valves
Many smart valve heads fit onto standard thermostatic valve bodies, sometimes with an adapter. We check yours.
Batteries and a hub
Most run on batteries and talk to a hub or the thermostat. They need the same brand’s system to work together.
Getting it fitted
With a new boiler, or on its own
- 1
Tell us what you want
Getting a new boiler? Tick “Smart thermostat” under “Anything else while we’re there?” On its own, mention it in the message box.
- 2
We check compatibility
From photos of your boiler and current controls, we check what will work with it and whether OpenTherm or weather compensation is an option.
- 3
Fitted and wired
The old controls come out, the new thermostat and receiver go in, and any smart valves are fitted to the radiators.
- 4
Set up with you
We connect it to your Wi-Fi, set a schedule that suits you, and show you how to change it from the app.
FAQ
Smart thermostat questions
Does a combi need a smart thermostat?
Under Boiler Plus, a new combi in England needs time and temperature control plus one extra energy-saving measure. Smart controls with automation and optimisation is one of the 4 options, and often the simplest.
Can you fit a smart thermostat without a new boiler?
Yes, on most boilers. Send a photo of the boiler and your current thermostat, and mention it in the quote form message box. We’ll tell you what’s compatible.
Will a smart thermostat work with my system or regular boiler?
Usually, and many can schedule your hot water as well as the heating. Some models need a different receiver for a cylinder system, so we check before ordering.
What’s the difference between weather compensation and a smart thermostat?
A smart thermostat decides when to heat and to what room temperature. Weather compensation adjusts how hot the boiler runs the water based on the outside temperature. They can work together.
Do smart radiator valves replace my thermostat?
Not usually. In most systems the valves control each room while a thermostat or hub tells the boiler when to fire. They’re usually sold as part of the same brand’s system.
Guides
Read before you decide
- Rules and paperworkBoiler Plus regulations explainedWhat Boiler Plus means for a new gas boiler in England: the controls every boiler needs, the extra measure a combi needs, and what to check when you buy.Read the guide
- Running costsBoiler flow temperature: should you turn it down?How lowering your combi boiler’s central heating flow temperature helps it condense and use less gas, how to find the setting, and when not to turn it down.Read the guide
Everything we do
New boilers
Conversions
Repairs & servicing
Get a price for smart controls
Photos of your boiler and current thermostat let us check compatibility before we quote.