Smart heating

T

The_Big_Woodowski

Well-known member
Does anybody have a nest, hive or similar smart thermometer. I need a new boiler and the plumber has asked if I would like one.

was just wondering what people’s experience with them, what decide you have are and if you would recommend.

I have done a bit of research but can’t really tell what the do or what functions they add.

many advice appreciated
 
I have a Hive, it’s good. I think they’re worth having purely so you can control it wherever you are in the house or when you’re not in the house.
 
Have a nest. I would recommend it but it’s not a must have item. Like above its great when your not in so you can control the heating. The brother in law is a plumber and recommends the controllable raditor values as the must have item.
 
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Kosovo said:
Have a nest. I would recommend but it’s not a must have. The brother in law is a plumber and recommends the controllable raditor values as the must have item.
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Hmm. They’re not cheap them though. Would take quite a long time to get your money back from them.
 
I have a Nest and it looks the best of all of them but if I was buying now I'd probably go with a Hive as it now has Apple HomeKit support and has TRVs which Nest doesn't support.

I've had the Nest for years, it makes a massive difference having something more intelligent than a simple timer.
 
I have the Honeywell Evohome system with control of every radiator in the house.

It is expensive but it allows you to set the temperature in every room independently at any time you want & can be operated from your phone, pc or smart speaker.

To get it to work at its best you need a boiler with opentherm

Must add that it doesn't stop thermostat wars with the wife in fact it probably makes it worse.
 
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The_Big_Woodowski said:
Does anybody have a nest, hive or similar smart thermometer. I need a new boiler and the plumber has asked if I would like one.

was just wondering what people’s experience with them, what decide you have are and if you would recommend.

I have done a bit of research but can’t really tell what the do or what functions they add.

many advice appreciated
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We've had Hive system for 3+ years, got it via British Gas on a 'special' deal £150 I think. Took about 30 minutes to install. Got the app on my phone, very reliable, really like it. Only issue is I had to change the batteries (4xAA) after about two years.
 
If you're getting a new boiler, you should seriously think about putting a air source heat pump in instead, currently the government are offering to pay half the costs via a free grant,- more if you are on any kind of benefits.
 
TheLodger said:
If you're getting a new boiler, you should seriously think about putting a air source heat pump in instead, currently the government are offering to pay half the costs via a free grant,- more if you are on any kind of benefits.
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I looked at that but had to pay upfront and would get the money paid back over the next 6years I think it was. The initial outlay was CIRCA £12k and don’t have that money to spend on heating , especially when compared to a £2k boiler refit
 
Kosovo said:
Listen to atypical_boro who as better knowledge on this than me. Just putting another option out there.
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Sorry wasn’t disagreeing as such. But just saying they cost a fair bit and whilst they clearly have some benefits, would be a while before you actually started saving any money by having them. Depends what your drivers are really.
 
atypical_boro said:
Sorry wasn’t disagreeing as such. But just saying they cost a fair bit and whilst they clearly have some benefits, would be a while before you actually started saving any money by having them. Depends what your drivers are really.
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For me the advantage of the linked TRVs is greater control rather than efficiency savings but everyone has different priorities.
 
Primus84 said:
For me the advantage of the linked TRVs is greater control rather than efficiency savings but everyone has different priorities.
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Yeah that is the benefit. But the benefit of having that control would be mostly driven by savings for me personally. I suppose there could be a green element to it as well.
 
BoroBosco said:
I have the Honeywell Evohome system with control of every radiator in the house.

It is expensive but it allows you to set the temperature in every room independently at any time you want & can be operated from your phone, pc or smart speaker.

To get it to work at its best you need a boiler with opentherm

Must add that it doesn't stop thermostat wars with the wife in fact it probably makes it worse.
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That last sentence is the key....
 
Looked at Hive and Nest, asked a guy I know and he said of the two the Hive - got that last year and it has been 100% to-date. I do like the idea of having different timezones and heating limits, the old timer was great but there was no capability for different limits through the day and on a weekend. Mind you since they all feel the same at the moment it's probably not such a big deal. Think ours was £149 fully fitted - and 45mins to an hour including showing me the ropes on the controller, App etc.
 
I’ll vouch for the Hive, great bit of kit. The mobile app is great, especially if your out somewhere and want the house warm for when you get in.
 
Do any of these allow me to say:

8 till 10 I want a temp of 20
10 till 6 I want temp of 1
7 till 8 I want temp of 18

I have also looked at the valves and they are so much more expensive than a regular valve. Sound a good idea if want to to control temperature in each room but struggle to justify the price for what it is.

As you all appear to be in to tech, has anybody any smart lighting? I am in middles of an extension and looking at this as an option
 
The_Big_Woodowski said:
Do any of these allow me to say:

8 till 10 I want a temp of 20
10 till 6 I want temp of 1
7 till 8 I want temp of 18

I have also looked at the valves and they are so much more expensive than a regular valve. Sound a good idea if want to to control temperature in each room but struggle to justify the price for what it is.

As you all appear to be in to tech, has anybody any smart lighting? I am in middles of an extension and looking at this as an option
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Yes all of them allow you to define a schedule.

Yes I've got shed loads of the Philips Hue bulbs - most are just white but again being able to control them and set schedules for them is brilliant. Eg. I've got a motion sensor on a light in a nook at the top of the stairs - if we have to get up in the night to see to our little boy as soon as we open our bedroom door and walk out the light comes on.
 
The_Big_Woodowski said:
I looked at that but had to pay upfront and would get the money paid back over the next 6years I think it was. The initial outlay was CIRCA £12k and don’t have that money to spend on heating , especially when compared to a £2k boiler refit
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You can now get £5k towards the £12k outlay so less than £7k and still get the whole of the £12k back over 6 years, with the new Green homes grant scheme.
 
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