Can tech improve my central heating?
Yes, tech can improve your central heating. It’ll get you super-toasty, and save you money too. Or, at least, kinda
AThis may be preaching to the choir a little, since you are (of course) a regular reader of T3, with (naturally) a subscription to the mag (see page 42) and a vast collection of smart technology cluttering up your every corner. But yes, tech can improve your central heating. It’ll get you super-toasty, and save you money too. Or, at least, kinda, usually.
See, the thing with smart thermostats is that they tend to be at their best when they’re using their proximity detection functions to work out when you’re home and adjust themselves accordingly. You have noticed, Guru is sure, that you are home a lot more often these days, so one might not necessarily come into its own until you’re able to go and frolic in the streets a lot more often. Even then, it’ll only shine once the thermostat in question has worked out that you’ve changed your regular pattern.
If you do want to go smart with your thermostat, you’re looking at three primary options: the Nest range, Hive, or Tado. There are others out there – Netatmo’s looks interesting, and brands like Ecobee and Honeywell offer up further options – but those are the three that Guru immediately recommends.
Of them, the Nest Thermostat E (£200) is Guru’s considered favourite because it’s a truly smart little thing at a decent price. That said, if you’re installing a smart thermostat yourself opt for Tado’s DIY third-gen wireless number (£199) – and the company’s range of individual radiator valve thermostats can make room-by-room control a realistic option.