Are Smart Heating Controls Worth It? Pros & Cons
As the popularity of systems like underfloor heating and air-to-water heat pumps has risen, the way we interact with our home heating systems has changed too. Fewer households are simply switching their radiators on when they need them via a boiler or traditional thermostat and more households are instead opting for a smoother and more connected approach to home heating via smart heating controls.
Smart heating controls can be a game-changer if you’re looking to manage your home’s heating system more effectively. These devices make bold promises ranging from greater comfort to energy bill savings, but are they really worth it?
At Pipelife Eco, we offer a range of innovative smart heating control systems and are on hand to explain their pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision when upgrading your home heating system.
Pros Of Smart Heating Controls
Let’s start with the good stuff! There are plenty of reasons why you should consider adding smart heating controls to your home heating system. The pros of smart heating controls include…
Cost Savings
One of the most compelling aspects of smart heating controls is their ability to save you money. With features including easy-to-change programmable schedules and the ability to control via your smartphone, smart heating controls allow you to heat your home only when and where you need it. This level of precision helps to prevent unnecessary heating of unused rooms and allows your heating system to work smarter, not harder. Over time, these small adjustments can add up to pretty sizable savings on your heating bills and keep your costs low.
Improved Comfort
Our home heating systems are designed to keep us comfortable, and smart heating controls can help you achieve this. Unlike traditional thermostats which can be slow to respond to temperature changes, smart heating controls are incredibly responsive and allow you to set the temperature to your exact requirements. The ease of control – whether from your smartphone or a central Neo Hub – means you can adjust the settings to suit your preferences with minimal effort.
Energy Efficiency
By learning your habits and adapting to your routines, smart heating controls can help to keep your home’s energy wastage to an absolute minimum. For example, when you’re away from home your controls can be set so that the heating only comes on if it’s absolutely necessary to prevent frost or condensation. This results in less energy consumption and greater efficiency which, as we’ve already mentioned, will be great for your pocket too!
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Reducing your energy consumption also helps to reduce your home’s environmental impact; by making your home heating more efficient, your carbon footprint will naturally lower. This benefit of smart heating controls is amplified particularly when they are installed in conjunction with one of our renewable home heating solutions like an air-to-water heat pump. The combination of generating energy in a green way and then using it more efficiently allows you to significantly reduce your home’s burden on the planet.
Cons Of Smart Heating Controls
However, as with any decision related to your home heating system, deciding whether to get smart heating controls installed is still one which warrants careful consideration. It’s important for us to recognise that smart heating controls can have some downsides and you should take the following into account before making the switch.
Initial Cost
For many homeowners, the initial cost of smart heating controls can be off-putting. The upfront investment will likely be much higher than simply installing a new standard thermostat which can pose challenges if you’re on a tight budget. However, at Pipelife Eco, we encourage you to think of your smart heating controls as a long-term investment as opposed to a one-off cost. While there is an initial outlay to be made, the long-term rewards of reduced heating costs and improved comfort are more than worth it in most cases. We also offer a range of different smart heating options, including our Slimline, Neo and Wireless range, so that you can find a setup that works for your budget and requirements.
Connectivity Requirements
To offer seamless remote connectivity, your smart heating controls will typically connect to your smartphone via an internet connection. If you live in an area with poor internet connectivity or will frequently need to operate the controls via your mobile network, it’s important to be aware that you may run into issues with connectivity. This could mean that you are unable to get the full benefit without also upgrading your home’s internet connection at the same time.
Maintenance Considerations
While smart heating controls are generally very low maintenance, they do require some gentle upkeep to keep working properly. From time to time, you may need to complete hardware updates and any issues with the home heating system itself will need to be addressed by a professional engineer. However, this is not dissimilar to more traditional home heating systems. Just being aware that some upkeep is needed is often enough to reassure most homeowners – it’s the idea of nasty surprises or expensive ongoing maintenance bills that most would be worried about and this is certainly not the case.
So… Are They Worth It?
While we don’t want to completely disregard the downsides of smart heating controls, in most circumstances they are worth considering. Smart heating controls can provide significant benefits in terms of cost savings, comfort, energy efficiency and reducing your carbon footprint and the importance of accessing these benefits has never been greater with growing environmental and economic pressures on Irish homeowners.
If you’re ready to take control of your home heating in a smarter, more efficient way, we are on hand to help. At Pipelife Eco, we have years of experience in transforming home heating solutions and are on hand to both recommend and install the right smart heating controls for your home. Simply get in touch today to find out more.