There’s never been a better time to invest in smart heating. With energy prices at an all-time high, you’ll recoup your investment faster than ever. From that point on, you’ll be making savings on your energy bills.
And from the time you get it installed, you’ll be able to keep an eye on what you’re using, schedule your heating and use smart features to ensure you don’t waste heat on empty rooms or leave the heat on when no one’s in.
But finding a great deal starts with getting the right smart heating system for you.
Which smart thermostat should you buy?
Different brands of smart heating systems focus on different heat-saving features. Depending on the size of your home and your household habits, one will work better for you than the others.
To find out which one is right for you, browse our round-up of the best smart thermostats we’ve tested. We’ve reviewed the key brands available in the UK, and we’d recommend one of these names, rather than opting for an unknown brand.
When you read our reviews, you might want to have a few questions in mind.
- Which features are most important to you? Some key features include geo-fencing and open window detection.
- Do you plan to invest further in your smart heating? You can always add to your system in the future with smart radiator valves, so make sure you choose a system that offers these at a reasonable price.
- Do you need a multi-zone system? If you have a larger home, this is likely the best option for you.
- Are you willing to pay for installation, or do you need a smart thermostat you can fit yourself?
- Do you have a combi or conventional boiler? You’ll also need to get the correct kit.
When can you get the best deals?
Smart heating tends to go on sale during the key sales periods in the year: at Easter, on Black Friday (from early November, through Black Friday itself and into Cyber Monday) and in the Christmas and January sales. In addition, sites may have their own sales, such as Amazon’s Prime Day.
Remember that to get some deals during Amazon events, you’ll need Prime membership. If you’re not a Prime member, don’t sign up yet. You may be able to sign up to Amazon’s 30 day free trial of Prime before the event.
Where should you look for the best deals?
Obviously, your first port of call should be your preferred brand’s own website. Then try other retailers like Currys and Screwfix.
Unsurprisingly, Amazon is also a major smart heating stockist. If you’re considering buying from Amazon, you can check and track the price of a product you’re interested in using a site such as Camelcamelcamel. This will give you a good sense of the best time of year to buy.
As Amazon is such a giant, other retailers tend to match its deals during sales periods, so if you know there’s likely to be a significant price drop from Amazon in June, it’ll be a good time to buy, with a number of deals available from other retailers.