Install Smart Heating in Your Home

Upgrading your thermostat to a smart unit can save you money and make your house more comfortable to live in. Clive Webster guides you through the process.

WINTER IS UPON us, so it’s time to dash about the house twiddling radiator knobs, tucking in curtains and closing doors as you go. It’s also the time of year to have constant arguments about draughts and mutterings as to who set the thermostat up so high or dialled it back to subarctic levels.

Winter is meant to be a time of rest and easy comfort, not antagonistic thrift or paranoia about crippling energy bills. Thankfully technology has finally advanced enough to solve all these problems, so make winter warmer and cheaper this year with a smart thermostat.

WE’VE USED

A third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat for this guide as it’s easy to install and use, and proved very effective at controlling our heating while making our test home more pleasant to live in. Before we tantalise you with all the benefits and clever features, though, let’s establish whether it will be compatible with your heating system.

The Nest Thermostat has the potential to control your home’s heating, hot water supply and cooling system (if you have one),though to what extent depends on the system. A combi boiler provides hot water on demand, so a Nest Thermostat will only govern its heating, for example. A multizone system will need a Thermostat for each zone, although at around £200 each that might prove a little steep. However, high-voltage heating systems are not compatible, and neither are mains-powered appliances. Even some seemingly conventional setups may not be compatible, so check tinyurl.com/ nest-check before buying.

BUYING A NEST LEARNING THERMOSTAT