Energy Efficiency · 6 min read · Beginner

Smart Thermostats & Smart TRVs Explained

Understand smart heating controls, scheduling, zoning, app control and the difference between a smart thermostat and smart radiator valves.

Key points & steps

A room thermostat tells the heating system when the measured temperature has reached or fallen below the chosen target.
A programmable or smart thermostat adds schedules so the heating can run at different temperatures at different times.
Smart thermostats can provide app control and, depending on the system, features such as away modes, geofencing or learning schedules.
Smart thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) can provide room-by-room temperature control where the heating system and installation are suitable.
Zoning is most useful when different rooms genuinely need heat at different times rather than simply turning every room up and down constantly.
More advanced boiler controls may modulate heating output or use weather-related control instead of relying only on simple on/off switching.

Smart controls reduce waste only when schedules and temperatures are set sensibly; they cannot compensate for major heat loss from the building fabric.
Check boiler and heating-system compatibility before buying controls.
Do not place the main thermostat where unusual heat sources, draughts or direct sunlight make it unrepresentative of the home.