From Non-programmable to Programmable, WiFi to Smart - there are a range of different types of thermostat on the market to choose from, all with their own unique benefits, features and functions. Whether you simply want to control your home heating, make energy savings or even set intelligent temperature schedules, choosing the right thermostat for your lifestyle, budget and personal preferences is essential for any home owner.
If you want home heating at your fingertips, Eco Wizard will guide you through the very best thermostats on the market, breaking down the different options out there and hopefully informing your next thermostat-related purchase. We offer the very best thermostats on the market, from trusted brands such as Salus and Heatmiser, all chosen to tap into every aspect of modern living.
So, what is the difference between a smart thermostat and regular thermostats?
Non-Programmable Thermostats
The simplest, most affordable and straightforward thermostat out there, non-programmable thermostats let you easily adjust the temperature without any additional bells and whistles. Ideal for those who spend a lot of time at home or require easy, no-nonsense temperature adjustments, non-programmables won't typically allow you to set temperature schedules or make more precise energy savings.
However, modern non-programmable models will likely come with good energy efficient credentials or have energy-saving technology built-in.
Salus HTR230(20) Electronic Dial Thermostat - 230V
This electronic dial thermostat comes with a classic twist-dial face and an easy to read design for simple but effective heating and cooling in your home. Along with the heating/cooling features, it also comes with a valve protection function, a night set back function, pulse width modulation and LED status indication.
Programmable Thermostats
Programmable Thermostats come with settings that allow you to adjust and set the temperature according to hourly, daily, weekly or even weekend scheduling. For example, if you're out of the house between Monday and Friday, you could set your thermostat so that your home stays at a lower temperature, ensuring that you don't burn through your energy bills or wear out your heating system.
If you happen to be away during the week and home on the weekends, a "5-2" heating schedule would be very effective for your lifestyle while saving on your heating and boiler repair costs.
Programmables are great for countries that experience fluctuating temperatures, such as the UK. They can also be useful for anyone with a structured lifestyle or consistent workday and weekend routine. Once your temperature schedules are set, you won't be constantly adjusting the heating manually or using energy unnecessarily.
Salus RT520TX Wired Programmable Thermostat
Achieve optimum energy efficiency and high level heating control comfort with the RT520TX. This programmable thermostat comes with a range of useful functions including Holiday, Sleep and Service Mode options as well as Monday to Sunday programming abilities.
WiFi Thermostats
If you want to control your home heating system via your WiFi, you can connect this type of thermostat to your smartphone, PC, tablet or similar device and make temperature adjustments remotely. A WiFi thermostat can be programmed but with a lot more flexibility than a standard programmable thermostat.
The WiFi connection will allow you to easily control, adapt and amend heating settings from your smartphone, wherever you are. This is great if you like to experience all the benefits of non-programmable and programmable thermostats, from the palm of your hand.
There's often some overlap in the features and functions of WiFi and Smart thermostats in terms of connectivity and integration. WiFi thermostats will have a price point that is somewhere between programmables and smart thermostats - the features, functions and level of connectivity on offer will determine which thermostat you go for.
Heatmiser neoStat WiFi Programmable Thermostat
Designed to be configured as a programmable thermostat or as a timer, this neoStat thermostat can work with a compatible smart home system but can also be easily connected to your home broadband router so you can control your heating from anywhere with no hub required. A wide range of unique settings will be available to you via the neoApp, providing you with home-wide temperature control.
Smart Thermostats
The most sophisticated thermostat on the market, these smart heating controls will give any modern homeowner the lifestyle edge. Not only can smart thermostats connect to WiFi within a wide range of different smart home systems, from Apple Homekit to Amazon Alexa - providing your thermostat is suitably compatible - they also adapt to your routines and day-to-day habits.
Great for households that are run on the latest smart tech, you'll be able to control your thermostat remotely via a corresponding app to create sophisticated heating schedules, save energy and even track energy consumption. Once installed, smart thermostats are designed to give you complete comfort, effortless control and seamless connectivity. The feature-filled nature of smart thermostats make them the most costly on the market, but also the most intelligent, energy-efficient and convenient heating control option out there.
Netatmo Remote Control Smart Thermostat
The Netatmo Remote Control Smart Thermostat is a brilliant energy-saving and intuitive smart heating control to integrate into your system. Equipped with Auto-Adapt and Auto-Care functions, you'll be able to do everything from scheduling heating around your lifestyle and personal preferences to controlling heating with Voice Control via Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant.
