HEATING
It pays to be smart as new thermostat technology is offering merchants extra profit opportunities.
he recent explosion of smart heating controls on to the market
makes it hard for builders and plumbers merchants to keep up with the latest developments in technology. new systems from basic to advanced, all promising different things.
user to remotely manage the temperature of their property using an app on a smartphone or tablet, no matter where they are. This means heating can be adjusted without the user needing to be near their home. This is ideal for getting a property to a comfortable temperature before the occupants get home.
Smart is as smart does T
However, smart heating can’t be ignored, believes Simon May, product manager at Drayton. “Sales of Internet of Things (IoT) heating devices have grown by 3000% since 2010, with volumes set to rise 40% in 2016 , so it’s vital that builders’ merchants know advise installers,” he says. “Smart thermostats are the ideal tool to ensure complete heating comfort and control, offering ultimate The devices allow the
Smart controls can, used properly, also be an energy saving tool. May says: “Heating and hot water accounts for around 82% of a home’s total energy use, so a lack of control can bills. However, adding a modern programmable room thermostat plus thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to a conventional heating system can reduce energy costs by over 50% - and new smart devices can take this even further with the enhanced control they offer.
“For example, if the user has gone to work and left the heating on, a smart thermostat can switch it off at the touch of a button, so they aren’t heating an empty house all day.
The person who is
installing the product – be it a builder, heating engineer, plumber or electrician – will need to consider a number of factors when deciding which type of device will best suit
them and the end user.” Merchants should be advising installers on these facts so they are able to advise end users on how these systems can improve their life.
May says the choices range from a smart thermostat that is wired in, or a wireless device and simple, easy-to-use systems that simply offer remote control of one heating zone, right up to more advanced devices that can learn about homeowner behaviour and tailor heating schedules accordingly.
“Simple systems offer a quicker set up and demo process and the homeowner doesn’t need to divulge a lot of personal information, which may be seen as an advantage,” he says. “Some advanced systems also require tricky wiring and a lengthy set up process, increasing installation time. So it’s important the installer
Too many householders are ending up with bigger boilers than they really need, meaning they aren’t always seeing the full benefit of savings from higher efficiency models.
way for homeowners to upgrade their heating systems and lower energy use and their monthly bills.
BMJ November 2016
Bigger isn’t always better I
nvesting in a new, high is still the most cost-effective
However, many homeowners the savings possible if their central heating system is not sized correctly.
“When it comes to boilers, size is everything”, says Jon Phillips, head of product management at Baxi. “Yet
every year many will be installed that are either too big or too small for the property and its residents, maintenance issues and the boiler not performing to the homeowner’s expectations.” Phillips says that the
most common sizing issue is oversizing, with both householders and installers fallling for the “add a bit more to the boiler size, just in case” mentality. In reality, he says, an oversized boiler will run harder for short periods
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is aware of what is involved they recommend it to the end user.” This means the merchants should also make sure they are aware of all the options and the choices and ask the right questions to ensure they are selling the best, most suitable product. “Our Drayton miGenie Wishes offers a solution for all applications. The miGenie Wishes utilise smart technology, enabled by an intuitive app that users download onto an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet, or an Apple Watch. “Products contained within the miGenie Wishes are pre-bound and boast an industry standard backplate, meaning they are easy to straight from the box in as little as ten minutes. The app is also user-friendly, and both installer and to operate.”
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