Smart heating systems are one of the easiest ways to make savings on your household bills and get started designing a smart home – simple to install, a doddle to operate and available at all kinds of price points to suit individual budgets.
"Smart heating has evolved rapidly in the UK, and it’s now one of the simplest upgrades for homeowners who want greater comfort and lower energy bills without major renovation," explains Stephen Day, heating engineer at iHeat.
If you are a little unsure about what a smart heating system could offer you, how they work and the installation process, our guide is here to explain everything you need to know.
Stephen Day is the operations manager at iHeat, with over a decade of experience as a qualified heating engineer and home cooling expert. He specialises in efficient, modern solutions for heating and air conditioning across the UK.
What is smart heating?
First things first, do you know what smart heating systems are? If not, this is something to brush up on before you can decide whether these are the type of heating controls you want to invest in.
"At its core, a smart heating system uses a thermostat connected to your boiler and Wi-Fi," picks up Stephen Day. "This allows you to control your heating from your phone, tablet, or even by voice through assistants like Alexa and Google Home.
"The technology has become much more sophisticated in recent years," continues Stephen. "Beyond a central thermostat, you can now install smart radiator valves to control individual rooms, multi-zone packs that link several thermostats across a property, or even standalone smart electric radiators for homes without gas."
No gas? No problem. This easy-to-install electric smart radiator not only looks stylish but it can also be controlled from wherever you are using your smart devices and an app.
What are the benefits of a smart heating system?
Before parting with any money, you may well ask exactly how smart heating will benefit you on a day-to-basis and the ways in which it could affect your central heating costs.
"You can control your heating from your phone anywhere, set weekly schedules and 'quick boost' or 'away' settings," explains Rob Nezard, founder and managing director of UKRadiators.com. "Room-by-room control also means you only heat the spaces you use."
"The main benefit of smart is precision – you can keep living spaces warm in the evening while leaving bedrooms cooler until you’re ready to sleep, or reduce heating in rooms that aren’t being used at all," adds Stephen Day.
"Convenience is one of the biggest selling points," continues Stephen. "Many systems offer 'geofencing', so the heating automatically turns down when you leave the house and back up as you return, while others learn your daily routine and adjust themselves without you needing to lift a finger.'
Rob is the founder and Managing Director of UKRadiators.com, a challenger brand on a mission to bring transparency and real-world energy savings to the UK heating industry. Frustrated by widespread misrepresentation of radiator performance data, Rob produced a documentary video, where he commissioned independent BSRIA testing that revealed many radiators sold in the UK deliver up to 25–38% less heat than advertised. The findings led to a formal government investigation into industry labelling practices and product performance standards.
Can smart heating systems save you money?
Just as with smart lighting, one of the main draws of smart heating systems for many people is the fact that they can lower your household bills.
"When integrated into a wider smart home set-up, the features of smart heating only multiply," explains Stephen Day. "Sensors can detect if a window is open and pause heating in that room to avoid waste, while some thermostats connect with online weather data, firing up early if a cold snap is on the way.
"For homeowners who like data, smart heating can provide monthly energy reports that can give insight into how you’re using your heating and where savings can be made," continues Stephen. "On average, households can save 10–20% or around £200-£300 per year on their annual heating bills when using smart heating, largely due to a combination of better scheduling, avoiding heating empty rooms, and reducing wasted energy."
How much does smart heating cost?
Next, lets talk cost – you may actually be pleasantly surprised that not all smart home tech costs the earth.
"A smart thermostat starter kit costs between £80–£200," advises Rob Nezard. "Smart thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) heads come in at £35–£80 per radiator (buying multipacks is cheaper), and multi-room kits (controller and several TRVs) cost £400–£1,000 depending on house size and number of rooms."
"A single smart thermostat usually costs £150-£250, though some more sophisticated models can cost over £300," points out Stephen Day. "Investing in a full multi-zone system can take the total closer to £500-£800, and professional installation, if required, is an additional £75–£150.
"While that may sound like a substantial outlay, most households will see the investment pay for itself within two to three years, thanks to lower bills as a result of their use," adds Stephen. "Some energy suppliers also offer discounts for buying smart heating systems through them directly (for example, OVO and Octopus Energy), and there are government-backed schemes that may help with installation, particularly for those upgrading older, less efficient homes."
Can smart heating systems be retrofitted?
If you are renovating a house, as opposed to extending or building from scratch, you can still install a smart heating system. That said, depending on the type of boiler you have and its age, professional input might be required when it comes to installation.
"In most modern homes with combi or system boilers, retrofitting is straightforward and replacing an old thermostat with a smart version can often be done in under an hour, with minimal disruption," advises Stephen Day.
"Installation-wise, most smart heating set-ups are easy to retrofit," adds Michael Zohouri, founder of Pyramid Eco. "For radiator-based systems, we start with a smart hub and thermostat, then add programmable valves room by room. You don’t need to rip out pipework. A lot of people are surprised how quickly it comes together. In many homes, it’s done in a day."
"For older boilers, or systems without a continuous power supply (“C-wire”), an adapter or professional installation may be needed," advises Stephen. "Smart heating also integrates with underfloor heating, solar thermal systems, and heat pumps, though not all thermostats are compatible with every system, so checking before you buy is crucial."
Michael Zohouri leads The Retrofitters as its founder, bringing over a decade of experience to the company. His expertise spans energy-efficient retrofitting projects, including insulation, solar and heat pump installations. Committed to addressing challenges like thermal bridging and improving air quality, Michael focuses on creating healthier, more sustainable living environments while reducing energy costs for residents.
Is smart heating worthwhile for you?
For all their benefits, smart heating systems can come with a few complications in certain instances.
"Smart heating won’t fix poor insulation or an old, inefficient boiler," points out Martyn Fowler, founder of Elite Renewables. "It helps you get more out of what you already have, but it’s not a substitute for sorting the basics. I always check the condition of the heating system first and recommend insulation upgrades where needed."
"One thing I recommend thinking about is how your home is used throughout the week," advises Michael Zohouri. "Weekday settings are often different from weekends. Smart systems let you create custom schedules for every room."
Before parting with any money, consider the following:
- Reliable Wi-Fi is essential. "Most systems depend on internet access, so if your Wi-Fi is patchy, it’s worth improving coverage before installing," advises Stephen Day.
- Select your brand with care. "Once you choose a brand, you’re often tied into that ecosystem, so take a long time considering which one works best for your needs," says Stephen. Spend time researching where to buy home energy-saving devices too.
- Look to the future. "Software updates are what keep systems secure and efficient, so choose a brand with a track record of long-term support," advises Stephen. "Also, be aware that older models may become phased out as the technology becomes more sophisticated."
Founder of Elite Renewables, Martyn Fowler is one of the UK's leading renewable technology experts, working with heat pumps for the last two decades. His passion for decarbonisation matched with a deep technical experience of the technology make him one of the industry's go-to experts for all things renewable.
FAQs
How do smart TRVs work?
Making the switch from standard thermostatic radiator valves to smart TRVs makes so much sense and is one of the best ways to ensure you are not wasting money heating an unoccupied room.
Like TRVs, smart TRVs are designed to sense the temperature of a room and adjust the heat output of the radiator accordingly. However, they go a step further and let you select an exact temperature rather than a 'range' and then control all your radiators from your smart device – even while you are away from home.
Shop smart thermostatic radiator valves
Simple to install on a DIY basis, this smart TRV is suitable for most radiator valves. Just set the individual temperature in each room, using the app or a smart speaker such as Amazon Alexa.
No hub is required for this smart TRV, making set-up straightforward. It allows you to set schedules and control multiple rooms at once – plus it comes with a child lock.
While this smart TRV does require a smart hub, it comes with a whole host of benefits, such as simple installation and open window detection.
If you are keen to incorporate several smart home upgrades into your home at once, consider smart locks too – they really can improve the overall security of your property.
