If you’re a techy whizz, you’re probably already familiar with using apps in different areas of your life. A smart thermostat is another way of getting the technology to do some of the hard work of everyday life for you. Smart thermostats enable you to control your heating, remotely, via the internet. This means you can be just leaving the office and pop it on for your return, or even adjust the heating from in bed from your smartphone.
In addition, many smart thermostats and their associated platforms allow you to programme your heating and monitor how much heating you’re actually using. It’s largely about giving you information to help you save money.
As with all things techy, there’s quite a wide scope of different functions according to different models and products. They all work slightly differently. Some names which you may recognise include Nest and Hive.
So, what are smart thermostats really and how can they help you save money?
Along with boiler service and repair, smart thermostats are another tool in a householder’s toolkit for maximising their home’s energy efficiency. Looking at your heating in a more detailed way, and working out how to reduce the amount you use can be important because heating typically accounts for the largest share of your utility bills.
Smart thermostats connect what you know as a traditional thermostat to the internet. This data transfer allows you to use your phone or computer (with internet access) to control your heating. This means it doesn’t matter where you are: you’re in control. No wasting heating fuel when you’re not home unexpectedly, for example.
Some get a little smarter than that: they may ‘learn’ to control themselves in accordance with your usual routine and household activity, making use of GPS data. This may seem a little Big Brother for some, but sensible to others. Some also allow you to track and monitor usage.
So how can they save you money in the long run?
The idea is that you now have two new weapons at your disposal as you try to reduce your heating bills: 24/7 remote control, and useful information. How good it is for saving money? However, will come down to how reliably you use it. You’ll still need to remember if you decide to stay another night on a trip away, to log on and change the thermostat. You’ll also need to be honest with yourself about where you could cut a degree or two, or reduce heating by an hour here or there.
Generally speaking, the amount you’ll benefit from a smart thermostat can vary enormously depending on which you get, and the nature of your household and heating usage. Nonetheless, it can be helpful, alongside other strategies such as boiler service and repair, in reducing the amount of heating you waste.
It’s important to remember that there a myriad of actions you can take to help reduce your heating bills. These all centre on increasing the efficiency of your home. Loft insulation, smart meters, double-glazing and the like are all ways of helping. However, you should always make sure that you pay due attention to the heart of your heating system itself: the boiler.
In particular, you should always ensure that you undertake regular boiler service and repair to ensure that your boiler is working at its most optimal. Even the smartest smart thermostat can’t compensate for a boiler in need of some TLC. Make servicing your boiler an annual commitment; then you can benefit from additional tools such as smart thermostats.
To arrange your boiler service or repair call us on 0333 939 0161.