Cut Your Energy Bills with Free Home Upgrades

Smart Heating Controls: Precision and Comfort

Smart heating controls give you greater command over your home’s warmth while reducing energy waste. Devices like smart thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) adapt to your lifestyle, learn your preferences and provide detailed insights into your energy use.

What makes a thermostat “smart”?

ENERGY STAR describes smart thermostats as Wi‑Fi enabled devices that automatically adjust heating and cooling settings for optimal performance. Certified smart thermostats are independently tested to deliver energy savings. Key features include:

• Learning schedules: Many devices learn your temperature preferences and create schedules that automatically adjust to energy‑saving temperatures when you’re asleep or away.
• Geofencing: Smart thermostats can detect when you’re on the way home and pre‑heat your house.
• Remote control: Wi‑Fi connectivity allows you to adjust settings from your smartphone.
• Low‑power standby: ENERGY STAR models quickly enter a low‑power mode when inactive.
• Energy insights: Smart thermostats provide equipment use and temperature data you can monitor and manage.

TRVs and zone control

Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) let you set different temperatures in each room, improving overall efficiency. The Consumer Rights site notes that radiator upgrades often involve fitting TRVs, which allow users to control the temperature in each room independently.

Combining TRVs with a smart thermostat enables precise zoning: you can heat only the rooms you’re using, reducing waste and improving comfort.

How smart controls fit into ECO4

While ECO4 focuses on major upgrades like boilers, insulation and heat pumps, smart heating controls are often recommended alongside these measures. They enhance the performance of condensing boilers, improve heat pump efficiency and ensure your home stays comfortable with minimal energy usage. If you’re considering any retrofit, it’s worth adding smart controls to your wish list.