Smart thermostat installation
Run your heating from your phone and stop heating an empty house.
A smart thermostat lets you run your heating from an app, set schedules that match your week and turn things down when you go out. We install and set up Hive, Nest, Tado and Drayton Wiser, check they will work with your boiler before we start, and show you how to use them before we leave. You get a fixed price up front.
Which smart thermostat should you pick?
All four do the basics well: app control, schedules and holiday modes. The differences are in the extras and how they handle individual rooms.
- Hive: simple app, works well if you want to add smart plugs and lights later
- Google Nest: learns your routine and suits homes already using Google devices
- Tado: strong on room-by-room control with smart radiator valves, and uses your phone location to switch off when you leave
- Drayton Wiser: built around multi-room zoning with smart radiator thermostats from the start
Will it work with my boiler?
Most modern boilers work with all of them. What changes is how the thermostat connects and what it can do. Some boilers support a communication protocol called OpenTherm, which lets the thermostat adjust the flame rather than just switch the boiler on and off.
Older systems with separate heating and hot water, a cylinder or zone valves need the right model and wiring. We check your boiler and controls before you buy, so you do not end up with a box that only half works.
Room-by-room control with smart TRVs
A thermostat on its own controls the whole house from one room. Add smart radiator valves and each room gets its own schedule: warm bathroom first thing, spare room off unless someone is staying.
You can start with a thermostat and add valves later. We cover the radiator side on our radiators and TRVs page.
Fitting one with a new boiler
Boiler Plus rules, brought in for England in 2018, ask for a new gas combi to come with one extra energy-saving measure. A smart thermostat with automation and optimisation features is one of the ways to meet that. We check what your installation needs and include it in the quote.
If you are planning a new combi boiler, choose the controls at the same time. It saves a second visit.
What is included
- Compatibility check of your boiler, hot water and wiring
- Old thermostat and programmer removed
- Smart thermostat and receiver wired in safely
- App set up on your phone and connected to your Wi-Fi
- Heating and hot water schedules set with you
- Quick walkthrough so everyone in the house knows how it works
Smart thermostats and controls FAQs
How long does smart thermostat installation take?
Usually one to two hours for a straightforward system. Homes with zone valves, a cylinder or several heating zones can take longer, mostly because of wiring.
Can I fit a smart thermostat myself?
Some kits are designed for DIY, but they still involve mains wiring to the boiler or wiring centre. If you are not confident with that, have it fitted. A wiring mistake can leave you with no heating at all.
Do I need Wi-Fi?
For the app and remote control, yes. Most smart thermostats keep running your schedule if the internet drops, but you lose remote access until it comes back.
Do you supply the thermostat or fit mine?
Either. If you have already bought one, we will check it suits your system before fitting. If not, we can recommend the best fit for your home.
Will a smart thermostat lower my bills?
It can, mainly by stopping the heating running when nobody is home and by giving you better control. The saving depends on your habits and your house, so be wary of anyone promising a fixed figure.
Get a fixed price for your home
Tell us about the job and we will arrange a free survey.