Does the smart thermostat really work?

A smart thermostat is essentially a device that connects your home’s heating system to the internet and allows you to alter the temperature or turn the heating on or off, remotely. Manufacturers claim this can cut your heating bills by 25%, although there is a cost to buying and installing the thermostats, which start at around £140. Some smart thermostats have other features such as controlling the hot water, or ‘multi-zoning’, where you can control the temperature in different rooms allowing you to have a warmer living room, cooler bedrooms and the heating switched off in unused rooms, such as guest bedrooms. Providers claim that this can save you a further 20% on your bills, although you can turn off or turn down most radiators manually without a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats are also compatible with smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home, so if you really cannot be bothered to get off the sofa to turn down the heating, then they can be voice controlled too. With a smart thermostat, you can delay the heating coming on, or turn it down, or switch it off completely from wherever you are, via your phone.

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide: The pros of smart thermostats Smart thermostats offer a host of benefits to users from cost savings to increased flexibility. Smart thermostats can learn your routines and automatically adjust temperatures when you’re away, saving energy and money on your bills. We have all had those days where we have left the house with the heating on and come back to a tropical climate – with a smart thermostat you never have to worry about wasted energy and money, or sweltering household temps again. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to upgrade to a smart thermostat is a personal one. From cost savings to increased comfort and flexibility, the benefits of a smart thermostat can’t be understated. What this means for homeowners is remote access to heating controls so you can turn your heating and hot water on and off from anywhere, so long as you have access to the internet. Whether upgrading to a smart thermostat is worth it depends on your lifestyle and priorities.