Smart Heating Guide

The cost savings and improved boiler performance offered by smart heating systems has seen them rise in popularity in recent years.

Smart heating systems give you advanced control over your heating. You simply connect to a small smart controller or thermostat to your boiler. This is typically placed in a hallway because it is the one room in the house closest to a general room temperature.

What is a smart heating system?

A smart heating system allows you to control the heating in your home directly from an app on your smartphone, tablet or even a remote control. Connecting to a centralised smart thermostat through your Wi-Fi, you’re able to adjust the temperature of each room in your home without even leaving your seat.

Through continuous use, smart systems like ON AI, can learn your usage habits and give you recommendations to help bring down your costs, raise energy efficiency and even notify you of upcoming software updates.

Most smart controllers should be able to connect to your existing oil, gas or gas combi boilers. However, if you are choosing a more specialised controller and you are unsure, you should check your boiler’s compatibility.

If you have solar panels, heat pumps or underfloor heating, smart heating systems are also compatible with these heating systems.

By collecting weather data via the internet, a smart heating system also allows your boiler to respond intuitively to current weather conditions. This also ensures your property maintains a comfortable temperature.

What can Navien’s smart heating system do?

ON AI, which is controllable via the Smart Plus ON AI Controller and the ON AI app, features innovative technology such as; Energy Saving Usage Reports (HEMS), FOTA (Firmware Over The Air) Updates, Smart Diagnostics, Smart Forecasting and Geofencing – giving you even more functionality than competing smart heating systems.

ON AI, uses artificial intelligence to help you utilise your heating system more efficiently, to use less energy and cut down your energy bills.

Smart diagnostics

Smart Diagnostics allows you to diagnose any issues that may arise, quickly and accurately all in one place.

Smart forecast

Smart Forecast harnesses data from OpenWeatherMap^TM to respond intuitively to the current weather conditions to ensure the property remains at a comfortable temperature.

Geofencing

Geofencing allows you to switch the boiler on or off, purely based on their proximity to the premises (up to a radius of 5km).

Energy Usage Report

Our usage diagnostics have the power to compare other households’ boiler usage in your area to help your boiler perform at maximum efficiency.

FOTA (Firmware Over The Air)

Update the firmware wirelessly and easily with the FOTA function. Note: FOTA is only available on the Smart Plus ON AI App.

Smart Heating System FAQs

Find answers to some commonly asked questions below.

Is a smart heating system worth it?

The increased performance and the cost savings that installing a smart heating system creates can be experienced from the day you install it. As it is very easy to overuse your heating system in the colder months, a smart heating system will instantly allow you to have better control over where your money is being spent.

Can I replace my old thermostat with a smart thermostat?

Before you purchase a smart thermostat, you should check what type of thermostat you currently have. If you have thermostats in multiple rooms, and your house features baseboard heaters then your current thermostat is a ‘line-voltage’ thermostat. This type of thermostat is wired to your home and is replaceable with a smart option, albeit with fewer options.

However, whether the voltage is compatible or not, you should not attempt to replace the smart thermostat on your own as the process can be quite complex and dangerous for someone without training.

Will a smart heating system save me money?

Whilst a smart heating system can save you money by allowing you to tailor your heating usage and have greater control, your expenditure is still dependent on the amount of energy you choose to use.

Will a smart thermostat work in an older home?

Yes! Even in older homes, a smart thermostat can be installed quickly and simply by a licensed installer.

What’s the difference between smart thermostats and smart meters?

A smart thermostat controls the heating in a home. Meanwhile, a smart meter is a device installed by an energy company to monitor your gas and electricity usage. These meters don’t integrate with any home smart device.

Will a smart thermostat work if the internet goes down?

Your heating will remain on even if your internet goes down. This is because your smart thermostat will run to a pre-set schedule. However, during this downtime, you won’t be able to control your heating through the app or online. You will need to do it manually on the thermostat.

If you have any more questions about smart heating systems, please get in touch today.