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Nest has pre-programmed the Thermostat E with a schedule based on real data from existing Nest users. As you use the thermostat, it learns and updates your schedule. In my case I found it quite difficult to get the valve heads really tightly-fitted to the radiators, which results in the hole assembly turning when one needs to remove the head for battery replacement or re-setting. This is not intended to be a full statement of your rights under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. Full details of your rights are available from your Local Authority’s Trading Standards Office. How To Return A Product These compact devices are a fantastic addition to any smart home because they allow you to connect your heating system to the web. In doing so, you can boost your household’s energy efficiency by taking the reins on the temperature of your home throughout the day, whether that be from your smartphone or by creating a personalised schedule to fit your heating needs. This latest version supports dual-zone plumbing and can be extended to support hot water systems as well. Note that there are no smart radiator valves to add full zoning, however.
The third-party smart TRVs reviewed here all do much the same thing, it is the control thermostat that is the most important choice. The Honeywell EvoHome is suited for much larger properties. All six other thermostats are compatible with the vast majority of heating systems (old and new boilers) and will operate the boiler efficiently based on a learned pattern of when you need heat. Setting the TRV to “4” or “5 means that the radiator will turn on much more frequently than a setting of “1” or “2”. Is this a case where the system has to be secured so that it stays fully charged with water at a reliable pressure or no TRV (smart or otherwise) could possibly stay working? Or could a smart valve open up the radiator more than a mechanical TRV at those middle of the night times when “3” doesn’t produce the temperature it’s supposed to? In my opinion, all that a smart thermostat does is provide a convenient control for your heating. If you were frugal with heating in the first place, I doubt you would see a significant difference.Of course, you can also do this with a thermostatic radiator valve, but a smart valve will also allow you to control things remotely, along with including it in automation routines. For example, you might have a SmartThings routine that detects when you’re coming home, and then carries out a range of actions including opening certain smart radiator valves as required. Tado specifically states that you can reduce your energy consumption by up to 31% using their smart boiler controller, but it is a bit of a vague statement that will most likely rely on their paid monthly service of auto assist. Claims like this will no doubt be true, but it will probably be a best-case scenario for users who transition from poorly optimised heating to being able to make the most of the auto-assist function. I started this post expecting to find some low-cost options that may be different from the well-known brand names. I was mostly wrong.
This post was originally written in November 2021. In 2022, with our energy bills significantly higher, this post is more relevant than ever. I have therefore updated it with some new products. Hands-On Expertise & Collective Knowledge: Our team boasts extensive DIY experience and in-depth knowledge. More fine-grained control over when the valves open up. Right now I can just choose settings “1-5”, but this doesn’t allow me to say “This valve should be open under 18°C in the morning, and under 19°C in the evening”. This is something that I lose with my TRVs (compared to smart valves), but again – honestly – it’s not something I think would benefit me right now. Most of the rooms in my house are use evenly enough throughout the day, and most heat up (and cool down) consistently too – so I don’t need this level fine-grained control currently.
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If you use the boiler manufacturer's own smart TRVs you only have to deal with one manufacturer for all your heating system products
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