How Do Smart Thermostats Work with a Combi Boiler?

Smart thermostats can be extremely beneficial when it comes to creating an energy efficient and fully customised home heating environment. 

Combining a smart thermostat with a combi boiler is a great way to use your boiler to its full potential, whenever and wherever you are.

Do you need to have a smart thermostat for a combi boiler?

If you have a combi boiler that heats the water immediately, then you don’t necessarily need a smart thermostat; however, they do provide great benefits that a regular thermostat can’t provide. 

When you have a smart thermostat connected to a combi boiler, you have the ability to adjust and turn the boiler on/off when you’re away from home. 

How does a smart thermostat connect to a combi boiler?

Most smart thermostats are made up of 3 components: a hub, a receiver and the smart thermostat itself.

The hub plugs into your broadband router and the receiver is wired up to the boiler. This is what connects your boiler to the internet so it can be controlled anywhere through the smart thermostat and its corresponding mobile apps. 

How does a smart thermostat work with a combi boiler?

Smart thermostats work by sensing your home’s ambient temperature and then sending a signal to your combi boiler to make sure the temperature changes in accordance to your pre-set schedule. 

If a smart thermostat senses that the room’s temperature is rising above the set limit, it will send a signal to your combi boiler to lower the temperature. 

Advanced smart thermostats also have the capabilities to learn what temperatures you like at different times of the day based on when you’re at home or away. The device then signals the combi boiler when the central heating is ready to be turned on or off. 

Can you use any wireless thermostat with a combi boiler?

In most cases, any wireless thermostat is compatible with most modern boilers, such as combi boilers. 

However, some boiler manufacturers have their own wireless thermostat systems that are specifically made to match the boiler and can deliver far greater efficiency than other thermostats. 

Can you fit a smart thermostat to a boiler yourself?

Yes, unlike a smart meter, you can fit a smart thermostat by yourself. Below is a basic guide on how to fit a smart thermostat, however, you will likely have installation instructions that come with your new smart thermostat. 

1. Turn off the power – You should always turn off the electricity before doing any DIY project that involves electricity. 
2. Open the old thermostat – Take off the front face of your thermostat unit. You may require a screwdriver for this. 
3. Label the wires – Label the wires from your old thermostat. You can do this using letters, numbers or even simply taking a picture. 
4. Take the old thermostat off the wall – Unscrew the old thermostat and carefully take it off the wall. Make sure not to pull the wires with you. 
5. Hang the new thermostat – Using a level, hang the new thermostat onto the wall and screw it in. 
6. Attach the wires – Match each wire to its corresponding terminal and connect them. Pull slightly on each wire to ensure they are secured.
7. Turn on the electricity – Turn the power back on and check if there is a start-up on the screen of the thermostat. If not, turn the electricity back off and check the wiring is correct.

Why should you use a smart thermostat for your combi boiler?

Control your heating remotely 

One of the most significant reasons as to why you should use a smart thermostat with your combi boiler is because it provides you with the ability to control them remotely. As long as you have an internet connection, you will be able to control your heating from anywhere. 

This gives you the convenience of being able to turn the heating off until it’s actually needed, and also means you can turn it on in advance as you’re heading home.

Multi-user and multi-location access 

Another great feature of smart thermostats is that multiple users can have the app installed on their mobile device, allowing each individual to control the central heating as they require. 

If you spend your time between different locations, such as a family home and a holiday home, each property that is equipped with a smart thermostat can be conveniently controlled from their dedicated app. 

Learning capabilities 

In the first few weeks after your smart thermostat is installed, it will begin to learn your heating behaviours. This means that when it is in use, the device is analysing how long it takes to heat up your home in different scenarios.

With this information, smart heating systems can instruct the combi boiler on the most efficient times and temperature from which to activate the heating process.

Combi boiler and smart thermostat troubleshooting

Why does my boiler not respond to a wireless thermostat?

If your boiler stops responding to your wireless thermostat, it’s worth checking the batteries in the thermostat. 

There could also be problems with the wiring or damage to the thermostat component. If this is the case, you may need to unscrew the face of the thermostat and take a look inside. 

What happens to my smart thermostat if my internet goes down?

In many cases, your smart thermostat will still work if the internet goes down and it will work with your programmed settings. However, you will not be able to use the app to remotely change the temperature. 

Do I need more than one smart thermostat in my home?

While it isn’t necessary to have multiple smart thermostats in your home, it does give you the control to heat different parts of your home differently. This is known as multi-zone heating.

This can be handy when you spend more time in a certain room at night compared to the morning, and vice versa. 

Do smart thermostats stop your pipes from freezing?

Yes, all smart thermostats have a safety or holiday mode, in which your home will only be heated if the temperature drops below a safe limit which for example, will stop your pipes from freezing. 

Do smart thermostats work with other home devices?

Like other smart home devices, your smart thermostat can also be controlled with voice controls like Alexa and Google Home. 

Can you connect a smart thermostat to any type of boiler?

Smart thermostats will typically work with most boilers. Be sure to check with the thermostat manufacturers compatible boilers before you commit to buying one.