CONTROLS / MY WARM HOME
Controlling your home.
More control should make heating simpler not harder.
01
Understand
Know what each control actually changes before adjusting the system.
02
Set
Choose comfortable temperatures rather than constantly turning things up.
03
Schedule
Heat the home when it is needed rather than relying on repeated boosts.
04
Simplify
Good controls should reduce effort, not create another problem to solve.
CONTROL TYPES
Four ways to control the same home.
01
Analogue
Traditional room thermostats and mechanical programmers use simple dials, sliders and switches.
The technology is basic, but the user can usually see exactly what has been selected.
02
Digital
Digital controls add clearer temperature settings, displays, timers and programmable heating periods.
They can provide more accurate control without requiring Wi-Fi, an app or an online account.
03
Smart
Smart controls can provide app control, room zoning, schedules, automation and remote access.
Used properly, they can make heating flexible and reduce unnecessary operation.
04
Not so smart
Apps, hubs, Wi-Fi, pairing, passwords, schedules, overrides and multiple menus can make simple heating controls surprisingly complicated.
A control is not really smart if the person living in the home cannot confidently use it.
WHAT CONTROLS DO
The control does not make the heat.
Room temperature
A thermostat measures temperature and tells the heating system when more heat is required and when demand has been satisfied.
Timers & schedules
Schedules decide when heating or hot water should be available and can prevent systems running when they are not needed.
Weather compensation
Weather compensation can alter heating output according to outdoor conditions, allowing the system to respond more gradually as the weather changes.
SMART VS SIMPLE
More features do not automatically mean better control.
The best heating control is one the household can understand and use confidently.
- A simple thermostat may only need one dial and a clearly marked temperature.
- A digital control may add schedules without needing internet access.
- A smart system may introduce apps, accounts, wireless connections and multiple zones.
- Different family members may need different levels of access and understanding.
Control design should consider the people using the home as well as the heating equipment installed inside it.
BEFORE YOU CHANGE THE CONTROLS
Four checks before upgrading.
01
Compatibility
Make sure the control is designed to communicate properly with the boiler, heat pump or heating system.
02
Location
A thermostat needs to sense a representative room temperature rather than being influenced by draughts, sunlight or other heat sources.
03
Programming
Schedules and temperatures should reflect how the household actually lives rather than being left on installer defaults.
04
Handover
The homeowner should be shown how to alter temperatures, schedules, overrides and basic settings before the installer leaves.
WHEN SMART BECOMES NOT SO SMART
Complexity can become another fault in the system.
Too many layers
A room thermostat, heating controller, individual radiator controls and an app can all be asking the system to do different things.
Lost access
Changing phones, forgotten passwords, failed Wi-Fi or an unavailable account can turn a simple temperature adjustment into a technical problem.
Conflicting settings
Schedules, setbacks, boosts, weather compensation and individual zones can interact in ways that are difficult for the homeowner to understand.
Poor handover
Even excellent controls can become frustrating if nobody explains what they do or how the homeowner should use them.
1
control system — designed for the heating system and the people using it
MY WARM HOME VIEW
Controls should suit the person as well as the heating system.
A genuinely smart control should make comfort easier to achieve, reduce unnecessary energy use and remain understandable to the people living in the home.
BEFORE YOU CHANGE THE CONTROLS
Make sure the controls fit the system and the household.
If you are planning heating improvements and want to understand how controls fit into the whole system, explore My Warm Home or get in touch.