RANGE REVIEW: MADE IN BRITAIN
DRAYTON EXPANDS WISER 2ND GENERATION RANGE WITH UPGRADED SMART RADIATOR THERMOSTAT
Drayton has strengthened its growing Wiser 2nd Generation smart home ecosystem with the launch of its new Wiser 2nd Generation Radiator Thermostat, delivering quieter operation, improved compatibility and an enhanced user experience for installers and homeowners alike.
D Ease of use
Ease of use has also been enhanced with a simple twist control for activating the Boost function, alongside an audible confirmation of the action, while battery performance has been extended to deliver more than two years battery life when using the included alkaline batteries, based on Drayton standard operating conditions. In addition, the device is now compatible with Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, offering homeowners greater flexibility and a more sustainable power option. Manufactured in Britain, the new radiator thermostat joins the expanding Wiser 2nd Generation portfolio, which enables homeowners to create an intelligent, connected home through a single platform controlling heating, energy management, automation and a growing range of smart home devices. The Wiser system offers room-by-room scheduling, remote control via the Wiser Home app and the potential to reduce heating costs through smarter energy management.
26 DIY WEEK SEPTEMBER 2026
esigned to work seamlessly as part of Wiser’s 1st and 2nd Generation platforms, the updated radiator
thermostat gives users precise room-by-room heating control while introducing a range of key enhancements over the previous model.
Among the improvements is an ultra-quiet operating noise level, helping to minimise disruption in living spaces, while Zigbee certification ensures reliable wireless connectivity across the smart heating system. The thermostat is also compatible with 95% of all major radiator valve manufacturers, making installation straightforward across a wide range of existing heating systems.
To support the launch and help installers get the most from the new product, Drayton is also rolling out a programme of activity across its trade and digital channels.
Building on the success of its
Great Greggs Giveaway, Drayton will launch a new Greggs promotion giving installers another opportunity to enjoy a well-earned reward while engaging with the Wiser 2nd Generation range. The activity will be supported by scratchcard promotions through participating merchants, giving installers the chance to win prizes when purchasing Drayton kits online or in branch.
New online training resources Drayton is also expanding its
online training provision, with new resources being added to its YouTube channel to help installers understand and install Wiser 2nd Generation products. The content will provide practical guidance around the system and its features, giving heating professionals access to training and technical support whenever it is convenient for them. James Clark, Technical Training Manager at Drayton, says: “The Wiser 2nd Generation Radiator Thermostat builds on the proven performance of the original product while introducing meaningful improvements that benefit both installers and end users. From quieter operation and enhanced battery performance to broader
compatibility and simpler controls, every enhancement has been designed to make smart heating even easier to install, use and live with. “We also want to make sure installers have the support they need to confidently recommend and install the latest Wiser products. Alongside the launch, our programme of trade promotions, merchant activity and new training content will give installers more opportunities to engage with the range, develop their knowledge and benefit from choosing Drayton.” The Wiser 2nd Generation Radiator Thermostat is available now in merchants nationwide.
• Visit https://wiser.
draytoncontrols.co.uk/
collections/2nd-generation-hubs for more information.
REINDUSTRIALISATION MUST NOT BECOME THE NEXT LEVELLING UP, MANUFACTURERS WARN
The Government must put “some flesh on the bones of the buzzwords” if its ambitions for reindustrialisation and growth in every postcode are to succeed where levelling up and building back better fell short, according to manufacturers.
Ahead of the Autumn Budget, Make UK has urged the Chancellor to focus on reducing the cost pressures holding manufacturers back from hiring, investing and growing, warning that ambitions for reindustrialisation will fail unless businesses are first given room to breathe. The organisation also stressed that the Government’s commitment to reindustrialisation must build on the certainty provided by the recently published Industrial Strategy. Manufacturers need long-term stability and confidence to invest, alongside practical measures that improve competitiveness today.
The organisation is calling on the
Government to: • Address the UK’s uncompetitive industrial energy costs by moving policy levies from electricity bills. • Reduce the cost of employing people by reversing the cut to the Employer National Insurance threshold and extending NIC reliefs to all workers under 25. • Keep National Living Wage increases sustainable by limiting rises to 3.7% and delaying the extension of the National Living Wage to 18-year-olds until the impact on youth employment can be properly assessed. • Take a more proportionate approach to the Employment Rights Act, particularly around guaranteed hours and implementation timescales, to avoid making it harder for manufacturers to recruit. • Introduce 100% transitional business rates relief for manufacturers in 2026/27, giving
firms breathing space from recent increases in rates bills. The proposals are backed by Make UK’s latest survey of manufacturers, which found that 47% believe cutting industrial energy costs should be the Government’s top manufacturing priority, followed by 37% who want lower Employers’ National Insurance costs, 32% who want employment rules made simpler and less costly for businesses and 31% who want business rates reduced. The research also highlights
growing concern about employment regulation. Just 11% of manufacturers believe the Employment Rights Act should continue as planned, while 36% want the next stages paused and reviewed, 22% want the most burdensome measures reversed and a further 11% want implementation delayed to give businesses more time to prepare.
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