Are you feeling uncertain when choosing smart controls for your boiler?
With so many options to choose from (for instance, smart controls or programmable thermostats) it can feel like a bit of a minefield when choosing the right controls for your boiler.
Do you want an all-singing, all-dancing brain for your boiler that can be operated from your smartphone? Would you want it to have motion sensors? What would controlling each and every radiator in your home? This is the point where a look of people just give me a blank look.
The most important thing is that you get controls that are right for you – and that you don’t spend a lot of money on something you don’t need.
Having been providing the latest and greatest smart controls for Edinburgh residents – along with good old programmable room thermostats – I’m going to explain more about how to get the best controls for you, without wasting money.
When could new boiler controls actually be wasting money?
The biggest reason you could be wasting money on new controls is when you buy something that’s too complex for your needs. One example of this could be the Tado. People have asked me about these particular smart controls a few times now, but when looking further, they realise Tado controls mean that each room has programmable thermostats on the radiators.
They can also tell who’s in the room with motion sensors etc. and I find that sometimes when I’m explaining all the things the Tado can do, it almost goes above some people’s heads. It turns out to be more than they need (or want) and really they’re just looking for a programmable room thermostat that they can operate on their iPhone on the bus home (like the Worcester Wave).
That doesn’t mean that a Tado isn’t right for you – perhaps you love the idea of being able to fiddle around with every aspect of your heating for maximum control. If so, then it’s totally worth the price!
I’ve just finished a job for a family who wanted a Worcester Wave for their boiler. The customer had originally asked me about EvoHome, but then we decided to go for the Wave, as it better suited their needs. They were retired, usually always at home (except from when abroad), and often had grandchildren visiting.
They wanted to make sure their home wouldn’t freeze whilst they were away. Most of the time someone was there with the heating on, so they didn’t need all of the controls or features that you’d get from the Honeywell or Tado. The Wave was just perfect for the job.
How to choose the best controls for you
I’d recommend finding out from an engineer what’s going to be best suited to your needs. For example, in the same way that it’s pointless buying a 34kW boiler when you only need a 30kW, there’s little sense in buying smart controls that are too sophisticated for your needs.
You need something that:
- Does exactly what you need it to do (without too many extras you won’t use)
- You’re comfortable with using
Those are the two most important things when choosing controls that are right for your home.
To get a better idea of your options, and to help you decide on which controls might be best for you, check out my blog: ‘The Big Smart Control and Thermostats Comparison’. Or, if you’ve got your heart set on Worcester Bosch controls to match your Worcester Bosch boiler, here are some options to choose from.
Advice from an experienced heating engineer
I get a lot of calls from people about smart controls. For instance, an elderly lady who lives here in Edinburgh called me recently. She was looking to get her boiler replaced, and had made up her mind that she wanted a Worcester Bosch. In terms of controls, she wanted advice on which controls would be best for it.
I explained that either the Worcester Wave or Hive controls were probably best, although you have to download an app to use on your smartphone. I said we’d be able to do that for her, but she’d have to tell us her internet password/security. Unfortunately, she didn’t really understand what that meant, and just wanted to know how to turn it on/off – so, I advised her on some different controls, instead.
As for your next steps? Do your homework. Do as much research as possible, and don’t be scared to compare different things. Get a few quotes, and ask the opinion of different engineers. Remember, just because something’s more expensive, doesn’t necessarily make it better.
Ask your engineer about their opinion/experience with different controls – what’s easy to set up? What’s the most reliable? Are any experiencing bugs/problems at the moment? The Drayton MyGenie, for example, wasn’t great for the first six months until bugs were ironed out. The company denied there was a problem, but I had to replace three!
Conclusion
Hopefully this blog has given you a better idea of some of the things to think about when looking for new smart controls for your boiler – or not-so-smart controls, if that suits you better! It really just comes down to personal preference. If you want to control every aspect of your home’s heating, the Tado could be fantastic.
Or maybe you like the idea of the Hive, or Worcester Bosch’s Wave system. Or none of these things – perhaps a more simple programmable room thermostat would be just dandy instead. The most important thing to remember is that you choose something you’re comfortable with, and has features you’re definitely going to use – not ones that you can’t (or won’t).
Do you have any questions about smart controls for your boiler? Let me know in the comments section. I’ll be happy to help!
