Smart thermostats and weather compensation: cutting heating bills

The controls on your heating system can make as much difference to your bills as the boiler itself. Here is a plain-English guide to the main options.

Smart thermostats

Smart thermostats let you control your heating from your phone, set schedules easily and, in many cases, learn how long your home takes to warm up.

• Optimisation starts the heating at the right time to reach your set temperature when you need it.

• Automation and geolocation can turn the heating down when everyone is out.

• Zoning with smart radiator valves lets you heat only the rooms you use.

Weather compensation

A weather compensation sensor is fitted on an outside wall. The boiler lowers its flow temperature when it is mild outside and raises it when it is cold. Lower flow temperatures let a condensing boiler run more efficiently, giving steady, comfortable heat.

Load compensation

Load compensation adjusts the boiler's output based on how far the room temperature is from the target, so the boiler runs more gently instead of switching on and off.

The rules for new combi boilers

Under the Boiler Plus standards in England, when a combi boiler is installed, it must be fitted with at least one energy-saving measure: weather compensation, load compensation, a smart thermostat with automation and optimisation, or flue gas heat recovery.

Which is right for you?

• Smart thermostats suit households with changing routines.

• Weather compensation suits homes where the heating runs for long periods, and is especially effective with heat pumps.

• Many modern boilers support both, so they can be combined.

Upgrade your controls

The Essential Connection installs boilers and heating controls across Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge, Cobham, Esher and South West London. Ask us about upgrading your controls.