Smart thermostats - any recommendations?

General Chat Tech & Gaming
87

It’s the ‘hub’ that’s the tricky part.

Given the preference for Apple ‘hub’ functionality, the Aqara sensor might be one of the better choices (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aqara-Requires-Automation-Supports-SmartThings/dp/B0BTL8B72D?ref_=ast_sto_dp) - but I don’t use these myself (I use the Philips Hue door sensors) and can’t say for sure if they’d integrate into your setup properly. From the product details alone, these could work well for you. Local automation means HA should see it as a sensor OK

This could take a lot of research too - there are plenty of options out there!

1 Like
88

I have Eve sensors and they work well and you can set them up for automations with HomeKit. No hub required.

Everyone else seems to rave about Aqara but I found it all terrible.

2 Likes
89

It’s not a deal-breaker, but my storeroom is becoming a bit of a hub of hubs. A few of them using the same technology but not compatible with eachother since they don’t support third party devices.

Thank you both though, this helps quite a bit!

1 Like
90

I’ve just bought a Google nest doorbell so of course I am immediately considering a nest thermostat. I’ve sent an email to a local heating engineer for a fitting quote ….

3 Likes
91

If you can use a screwdriver then you can do it yourself!

But otherwise should only be an hours labour at absolute most.

1 Like
92

Technically I can use a screwdriver but I would probably get distracted half way through and leave it hanging there :laughing: That’s good to know thank you!

4 Likes
93

Well, you can, but you need to be very careful with all the wiring, especially if you have a hot water tank. I fitted mine, then replaced it with Hive (for HomeKit) but I wouldn’t suggest that somebody fits their own unless they are happy with the electrical side of things (which will be at full voltage).

1 Like
94

The nice thing about Hive is that it has a standard UK backplate, so trivial to replace it with Tado and others in the future, should you so wish.

1 Like
95

You might want to run through Thermostat Compatibility - Google Store. If it’s compatible with what’s there fitting it is easy and won’t take long. It should be compatible if you have a relatively modern thermostat on the wall already. You can hire a handyman if you don’t want to do it, you don’t really need a plumber / heating engineer.

If it’s not compatible then you need professionals.

96

Thank you, I’ve already used that checker as I had to do something similar to check the doorbell would work before I bought it.

I need a heating engineer as my diverter valve is broken so while they are here they can replace that for me too :blush:

3 Likes
97

It’s not just the thermostat, though. You have to wire in the heat link, too: (generic image from the internet)

th-196178967

This means identifying the existing wires which, if they were anything like mine, were not labelled. I had to use a voltmeter to work out which wire was connected to what part of the heating/hot water system.

2 Likes
98

Yeah that’s a big hard pass from me! So many wires! Much better to pay someone else to fit it and make sure it works :blush:

2 Likes
99

I didn’t install mine, but only my heat link is wired up. The actual thermostat is just plugged into a micro USB cable for power.

100

Tado is amazing here. Just wire instead of your old wired thermostat and job done. They give you a wiring diagram if you answer a few questions about your system. Super easy and works great!

1 Like
101

Unless you have a hot water tank and then you need the wireless receiver, which needs wiring in just like the Nest heat link.

1 Like
102

Yes, the thermostat is the easy bit :slight_smile:

2 Likes
103

It’s not rocket science though, I’m no expert, just followed a YouTube video.

I think the thing with it is the confidence to do it vs the safety of knowing someone else has done it. Sometimes it’s worth paying for the peace of mind.

5 Likes
104

I hope you took the time to label them :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

Usually when I switch a thermostat though, I just look at the old one before I take it off and put the wires in the same ports on the new one?

1 Like
105

Yes, which is why it was easy to remove the heat link and replace it with the Hive backplate :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Like
106

I have these danfoss thermostats that link to the combi-boiler, they just do the call-for-heat with a light bit of scheduling logic.

Whenever I look for smart thermostats I find it confusing how I would replace these ones, e.g. the google nest seems to come with some “heat link” device that you need to wire into the boiler. I think the Hive is the same. I have 2 thermostats in the house for different heating zones.

Are there any smart thermostats that don’t require some boiler wiring job and you can just replace the existing ones with the smart ones (i.e. use the same wires, just a quick swap over?)