Feeling the pinch as your energy bills increase? Then why not make your heating more efficient? One of the most popular ways to do this is by installing a smart thermostat. But with the initial costs to consider, will it save you money and what kind of energy savings can you expect?
Does a smart thermostat save money – quick summary
In the vast majority of cases, a smart thermostat will save you money. Although you have the initial purchase cost and (possibly) installation to consider, you should be able to cut your bill by as much as 20%. Payback should be within two to three years.
All about smart thermostats
With energy costs increasing, we can make two significant changes – switching energy providers and reducing energy consumption.
We’re often reluctant to reduce how much energy we use because it means making sacrifices and possibly going cold. But there are some helpful energy saving gadgets out there that will help you to save money without making you feel uncomfortable.
And one device that has the potential to reduce your heating bills by a considerable margin is a smart thermostat.
Smart thermostat features
A smart thermostat is far more advanced than a traditional thermostat. Yes, both allow you to set the temperature in your home, but a smart thermostat is streets ahead.
You see, it comes with some rather nifty ‘smart features’.
The most significant benefit is that it learns how to heat your house. For example, if your heating is set to 18 degrees at six in the morning, it adjusts to determine how long it will take to reach the desired temperature. So the first time it’s used, the heating may come on at 5:30. If it doesn’t reach the required temperature by 6:00, it will start earlier the next day. Or it will start later in the morning if it hits 18 degrees a lot quicker.
Plus, as the thermostat is connected to the internet, it knows the weather conditions. So if the temperature outside should drop, the heating will come on earlier. You can change the settings day by day. If you sleep in at weekends, you could always set the heating to come on much later in the morning. It’s so clever, it will even let you know the humidity in your home.
These features make it far easier to keep your home’s temperature constant, increasing energy efficiency and saving you money on your energy bill.
More recent smart thermostats have added features, such as remote access to heat your water – ideal if you have a separate hot water tank.
You can control your thermostat from a smartphone app if you’re looking for ease of use. And if you can’t be bothered to take your phone out of your pocket, you can change the temperature with a smart speaker like Alexa.
But I would still recommend downloading the app. When you do, your boiler will know when you’re out of the home and turn off automatically, saving you from heating an empty home.
If you’re a technology lover, you’ll be pleased to know that a smart thermostat can usually be integrated with systems like Google Home and Apple Homekit. That means all of your smart home technology can be linked to one place.
The final benefit to a smart thermostat is that most have a remote sensor, so the display automatically turns on when you approach. Although it’s not a game-changer, it looks impressive to visitors.
There are several smart thermostats to choose from and they claim to save you anywhere between 20% and 40% off your heating bills. If you want to learn more about two of the best, look at my comparison of Nest vs Hive to see how they differ.
Also worth reading
If you want to save money, take a look at these simple ways to reduce your heating bills.
Is it similar to a smart meter?
No, smart meters work differently.
A smart meter is installed by your energy company and sends them figures on how much gas and electricity you use. These are useful for giving you a real-time breakdown of your energy costs. A smart meter won’t reduce your energy usage unless you make a conscious effort to do so.
Will a smart thermostat work in my home?
Smart thermostats are compatible with most homes in the UK and can replace old-style thermostats. Check with a qualified installer if you’re unsure. A fully functional thermostat will need to be connected to your Wi-Fi.
Will it work without an internet connection?
A primary concern before having a smart thermostat fitted is whether it will work if your Wi-Fi connection should drop out. After all, you don’t want to be left without heating because you can’t connect to your router.
Your thermostat will continue to work, but only through the main control panel on the device itself. That means if you want to turn the heating up, you must manually adjust the thermostat rather than doing it from your phone. Yes, you will have to stand up and move!
Is it difficult to install?
This depends on your DIY competence. Fitting the actual thermostat shouldn’t be too difficult if you have some know-how. It’s usually a case of removing your old thermostat and connecting the correct wires.
However, there is another piece of kit called a Heat Link. This connects to the boiler itself, and it’s best not to start messing around with this unless you know what you’re going.
If you’re unsure, it’s best to opt for professional installation. How much this costs depends on where in the UK you’re located and how long the installer needs. But in most cases, any professional electrician should be able to do it within an hour. At a very rough estimate, you’ll look at paying around £100.
Once installation is complete, you’ll need to connect to your wireless network and install the smart app on your phone, which is all pretty straightforward.
Is a smart thermostat hard to use?
Although most smart features with your thermostats don’t need to be altered, you must set your own daily schedules.
Although the image above may look confusing, it is pretty simple once you get used to it. You can set different temperatures for different times of the day. For example, at 06:00 my heating will be at 18 degrees and then rises to 19 at 07:00. Throughout the day it will rise and fall depending on when I expect to be home.
You can set your schedule for one day and then copy and paste it for the rest of the week. Or have a different schedule each day. It can suit anybody with a busy lifestyle or those who spend their days lounging at home.
Also worth reading
Another great way to save money around your home is by installing LED lights.
How much does a smart thermostat cost?
The 3rd generation Nest Learning Thermostat is available from Amazon for £179. You can also purchase a stand if you don’t want to wall-mount it – allowing you to move it from room to room. Hive Active Heating is slightly cheaper at £149.
When you buy the unit, there is sometimes the option to pay for installation too. This means that Amazon sends you the thermostat and when it arrives, you call a number and arrange for an installer to visit. Personally, I would contact some local firms first to see if they could offer a lower price for the installation.
Purchasing a Hive through Amazon with installation costs £219.99 – although that price does seem to go up and down.
If you’re not worried about installation or the latest technology, you could opt for an older and more basic model of Nest or Hive and save almost £100.
How much can I save with a smart thermostat?
The average household spends around £840 per year on their heating bill. If a smart thermostat reduces your bill by 20%, this could save £168 yearly. Of course, this does depend on
- How you set up your thermostat.
- How often you leave the house.
- The temperature outside.
In my personal experience, I saw savings closer to 10-15%. It would take around two years before my savings outweighed the initial cost.
So, are smart thermostats worth it?
Overall I think these are a decent upgrade compared to regular thermostats. Not only does it make life easier, but it also makes significant savings on your bills without ruining the comfort level in your own home. Plus, the less energy you use, the better it is for the environment.
It’s a long-term investment but worth it in the long run. Over the course of a decade, you could see huge savings. This smart device is a worthwhile investment.
Which is the best smart thermostat in the UK?
If you decide to opt for smart heating control, the chances are, you will choose between Hive or Nest.
In all honesty, there’s little to separate them – they’re both simple to set up and priced evenly. Plus, you can use both without a subscription fee.
Personally, I would opt for the one that you like the look of the most
Hive thermostat Nest thermostat
Further reading
If you’re looking at ways of cutting bills, why not look at the posts below:
Find other ways to cut your heating bills.
Or find out how to cut your electricity bills.
Alternatively, you could look to save money by changing your supplier.
FAQs
Does it work with air conditioning too?
Although air conditioning in homes in the UK isn’t very common, a smart thermostat can also cool your home. In the US, thermostats are commonly linked to an HVAC system for heating and cooling.
How does it differ from a programmable thermostat?
A traditional programmable thermostat can’t learn, so it will only come on and turn off when you set it.