How Do Smart Thermostats Work?

Smart thermostats are becoming increasingly popular in UK households, especially during this concerning cost of living crisis. More and more people want to know and control how much energy they use to help them save extra money or to use less energy for environmental reasons.

But how do smart thermostats work? Here at Build & Plumb, we want to give you all the information and advice you need to improve your heating and plumbing and help you save those extra pennies.

Table of contents

1. What is a smart thermostat?
2. How do smart thermostats work?
3. What are the benefits of a smart thermostat?
4. Can you use smart thermostats with any boiler?
5. Where to install a smart thermostat
6. How to connect your smart thermostat to your WIFI
7. Do smart thermostats work with Alexa?

What is a smart thermostat?

The term ‘smart’ means connecting your heating system to your WIFI to control your heating, cooling and hot water systems with an app on your phone or your smart speaker. You can set the target temperature and a temperature schedule and turn the system on and off whenever and wherever you are.

How do smart thermostats work?

A smart thermostat has internal components that monitor the room temperature and adjusts the heating to fit your target temperature. These smart thermostats are more accurate than traditional non-programmable thermostats, giving you more control over the temperature of your house and when you require your heating on and off.

You can connect your smart thermostat to your WIFI through a gateway and control your thermostat using an app on your smartphone or tablet to change your house temperature, even if you’re not at home.

What are the benefits of a smart thermostat?

1. Flexibility 

You can use an app to turn off the heating if you accidentally left it on or are away. Or, turn it on before you are home so you can return to a cosy, warm house in the colder months. Smart thermostats have the ability to control multiple heating and hot water zones, often with several on-and-off time periods each day, giving your truly flexible control. The number of zones is specific to each manufacturer. 

2. Cost efficiency 

Smart thermostats help you save money because once your heating zones reach a pre-set temperature, the smart thermostat modulates your boiler to maintain the desired temperature rather than turning it on and off and going from cold to hot. Only using the energy you need to reach your desired temperature will save you money daily.

3. Environmentally friendly

Turning your boiler on only when you need it will also help you to stop burning energy that you don’t need, helping to protect the environment.

Can you use smart thermostats with any boiler?

You can use smart thermostats with most heating systems or regular boilers, especially combi boilers. We recommend checking with your boiler’s manufacturer’s instructions to make sure the smart thermostat you want can connect to your boiler to avoid disappointment.

Where to install a smart thermostat

Install your smart thermostat in the most commonly used room or the most central room in the house. If you install it in the hottest or coldest room, the smart thermostat will turn the heating on or off according to that room’s temperature, resulting in your house being too hot or too cold.

Don’t install your smart thermostat in direct sunlight or near a draft, as this won’t get an accurate average temperature for your home. 

Make sure you install it 1.5m above the floor if it is wall mounted as cold air sinks and hot air rises, as you will get varied readings depending on how low or high it is. Alternatively, many smart thermostats come with stands, so placing them on a coffee table might be too low, or a high shelf might be too high. You want to centre it where it can get the best average reading of the house and room.

How to connect your smart thermostat to your WIFI

Connecting your smart thermostat to the internet is stress-free and easy. Most smart thermostats will have a corresponding app where you can control your heating from anywhere, download this app wherever you get your apps. Then follow the instructions to set up an account. Then, you need to pair your wireless router with your gateway device. All smart thermostats have slightly different setups, so ensure that you read your manufacturer’s instructions carefully. 

Do smart thermostats work with Alexa?

Yes, you can pair some smart thermostats, like our EPH CP4i, with devices that connect to the internet to control your heating system. So, you can use your Alexa to voice-control your heating. 

Conclusion

Smart thermostats allow you to control your heating, cooling and water systems via your smart device. Never worry about leaving the heating on or forgetting to turn the heating off, whether you’re at home or on holiday. 

Why not browse our range of smart thermostats online at Build & Plumb and start benefiting from the convenience of money and energy-saving smart heating technology right in your pocket?