Are you wondering if the Worcester Bosch Wave could really be worth it for you?
Especially if you’re investing in a new Worcester Bosch boiler, you’ll probably want to get Worcester Bosch controls and a filter to go with it. That’s because Worcester Bosch have a great deal which means EVERYTHING will be covered for 8 – 10 years under guarantee! Pretty nifty, eh?
However, that doesn’t mean you necessarily need the Wave. You could go for any other the other Worcester Bosch controls on offer and get that same great deal. So, is the Wave really worth the hype?
As an experienced heating engineer, I’d say it’s all about how you plan to use it. Let me explain more, below…
What IS the Worcester Bosch Wave?
The Worcester Bosch Wave is the latest generation of programmable smart controls you can have fitted in your home. It gives you more control over your heating and hot water, and could even save you money on your energy bills!
It’s called the ‘Wave’ because when you’re standing in front of it, it’s activated by waving your hand in front of the (very smart-looking!) display. And because it’s internet-enabled, you can also access it via an app on your smartphone or tablet.
Imagine that – controlling your heating from the bus! Many of my customers absolutely love this feature. I don’t think it’s just another gimmick or an overrated trend – it’s actually a really useful that could save you a lot of hassle and worry about your bills!
It’s even got a weather compensating feature that relies on your local weather report. It’s pretty good if you want your heating to adjust based on the temperature outside.
Will the Wave be worth it for YOU?
Although the Worcester Bosch Wave is a great piece of kit, it does require a 2-core cable to connect from the thermostat to your boiler. This is in contrast to a lot of other programmable thermostats and controls, which are completely wireless.
So, wherever you fit the Wave, you need that cable to connect it. This usually isn’t too bothersome, but if you have sealed or stone flooring, it could be a bit of a faff. Especially if you need to fit it in a place that is a bit out of the way, and you’re not going to be mostly controlling it from your smartphone.
TIP: I know the Wave isn’t for everybody, so I’ve actually written a blog called ‘Which Worcester Bosch Controls Best Suit Your Home?’ in which you can compare all of the brand’s programmable controls at once.
However, if you do have a smartphone and use it all the time, this is where the Wave really comes into its own, as you can use it to connect to your heating from the living room, the bedroom, the bus halfway across town, or even halfway around the world if you really want to! Which is pretty damn amazing.
So, if you’re going to be using it with a smartphone, like most of my customers do, it’s definitely going to be worth it.
Advice from an experienced heating engineer
I’ve heard people say that it’s all a bit of a hype being able to access your heating controls from the bus. However, I think the Worcester Bosch Wave is a force to be reckoned with. And if you’re on your smartphone all the time anyway, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment!
I’ve fitted a lot of smart controls in recent years, and I tend to like controls I can buy with a boiler from local merchants. I don’t like it when I can’t get my controls with everything else (boilers, flues and pipes etc.) so that makes me a bit biased to things like the Wave, and also Hive – against the likes of Nest which you can only get in places like John Lewis, Maplin etc.
I am a bit of a fan of the Tago and the Hive. Even though Hive is owned by Scottish Gas, it’s still a good bit of kit! I’ve compared a lot of the most popular smart controls in this blog, actually. The good thing about the Tago is that it has motion sensors, so if it doesn’t sense motion in the room, it won’t come on. Maybe not the best if you’re just sitting still watching TV, though!
The only caveat is that if you’re getting a brand new Worcester Bosch boiler, you’ll probably want the brand’s own controls so you can get an 8 – 10 year guarantee.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve found this blog useful when considering the Worcester Bosch Wave. It’s a great set of smart controls that’s absolutely worth getting if you’re going to use it with your smartphone. However, if you’re just going to use it like any set of controls, you’d be as well getting something else (although there isn’t a huge price different nowadays).
Is there anything specific you’d like to know about the Worcester Bosch Wave? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!
