Netatmo Smart Thermostat for Individual Boiler, NTH01-EN-EC

Product Information

The second method is easy for a DIY enthusiast and needs no new wiring. If you have to go for the first option, you’re probably best getting a professional to install your unit, as it involves using 230V mains power. However, to get the most out of a Nest you'll want to be part of Google's subscription model – which is an additional cost. Netatmo doesn't have additional ongoing costs, which suits me better, even if the Smart Thermostat outlay is a little pricier than Nest, Tado or Hive from the outset. As with the main Thermostat, the smart-looking Radiator Valves have an E Ink screen that shows the current temperature. Twist the Valve’s head, and you can increase or decrease the temperature for three hours, giving a handy boost if you’ve got one cold room. Dive into the app, and you get more control, and you can choose how long you want each temperature change to last. To set up a smart thermostat so it controls your heating correctly, you need to take 2 factors into account during the installation process: the product's connection to the internet and to your home’s central heating system.

Netatmo’s Smart Thermostat is one of the best connected. Setting up HomeKit and the Apple Home app is easy, since the pairing code required pops up on the thermostat’s screen.A radiator valve is actually a part of something called a thermostatically controlled valve. It’s a product that lets you control the heat of each radiator precisely.

In actual fact, smart thermostats go far beyond simple programmable thermostats in terms of their ability to accurately control and optimise your home heating. Once you’ve set up your new smart thermostats in your home, they’ll take into account various factors to heat each of its rooms to the best temperature for you: A remote-controlled heating system with a smart thermostat has many advantages and a wireless kit like this can be the best solution for many homes looking to lower the price of running their boilers.

It’s the battery-powered thermostat that’s really attractive: this small cube (83x83mm) can either be wall-mounted or attached to a stand, so you can place it where you want or even move it around your home. Netatmo ships the thermostat with five colour “accent” strips: white, red, orange, green and blue, enabling you to match the thermostat to your decor. Netatmo Smart Thermostat – Features READ NEXT: What is SmartThings? Samsung’s home automation system, explained Netatmo Smart Thermostat: Controls Overall the Netatmo Smart Thermostat isn't as fancy-looking (it's got an E Ink display after all) or as overall 'smart' as some of the competition (there's no geographically-based austomation features, for example). But that doesn't necessarily matter: it has no subscription model to worry about, it's easy to install, and it handles your heating with ease whether via the thermostat itself or by using the app wherever you are. For me that makes this smart heating system well worthy of consideration, and one I wouldn't have wanted to live without these last couple of years. Also consider Optimal thermal comfort thanks to the features offered by the Netatmo Smart Thermostat, such as Auto-Adapt, which works out when to turn on your heating by taking account of your home’s insulation as well as the outside temperature. It's no secret that there are plenty of other smart heating options on the market. I think Google Nest is the best-looking solution, which I've installed in a former home and really liked, it's got more features but does also need subscription costs for best use-case.

Netatmo ships the Smart Radiator Valves with plenty of adaptors in the box, so you should have no problem fitting them to your radiators. It took me a matter of minutes to fit my test valves. The competition is also tough. The more expensive Tado Smart Thermostat has the same range of features, but I prefer its app, plus it has brilliant geofencing. For a more advanced, room-by-room system, the Honeywell Evohome is excellent. Verdict

A gorgeous-looking thermostat that can be expanded with radiator valves, but the scheduling is fiddly to configure

Remotely controlling your heating system can also be done directly through your radiators. Today, some radiators have embedded wireless technology so you can manage your heating even when you’re away from home.