PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2025 26 HeatingControls


Providing solutions for connected homes


Climate control in a standalone home or apartment is quickly evolving from the user needing to control separate systems into managing control through a single interface. Neil Budd from IMI Heatmiser explains how the manufacturer of smart room thermostats is responding to demand.


past fi ve years and consumers increasingly wanting their hand- held devices to work with other products, manufacturers are aware that the consumer base is now at a critical point for smart control adoption. Research from NIQ Consumer


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Intelligence shows that Smart Thermostats are now among the top 10 smart tech devices consumers use in their home, alongside smart plugs, smart speakers and smart lighting. Smart Control as standard is now here to stay. Government policy is also


driving the industry towards delivering more energy effi cient, easier-to-manage heating systems that can adapt to the changing climate and not rely upon a single source of heating that UK homes have become accustomed to since the post war house building boom. The government’s recent


decision to back the Warm Homes Plan in the spending review will commit £13.2 billion in the coming years to upgrade


ith ownership of smart home products doubling in the UK over the


the standard of heat sources and heat conservation in existing housing stock, with the ultimate objective of bringing household energy bills down by £300 by 2030. Crucially, the Warm Homes


Plan will allow for homes to be heated by diff erent sources, from solar panels to heat pumps and other low carbon heating solutions. This will drive manufacturers


Neil Budd Business development manager at IMI Heatmiser


and installers to work more closely together to help deliver climate control systems that place heating management at the fi ngertips of every home occupant, while making it easier for technology-agnostic users to manage the warmth of their homes through a single interface.


CUT TO THE CHASE


 Smart thermostats are among the top smart tech devices that consumers want to buy


 The industry is moving to more adaptable systems that don’t rely on a single source of heating


 The latest technology enables users to manage the temperature of their homes via a single interface


 IMI Heatmiser is able to offer a range of control solutions that will meet the needs of a variety of applications


 The neoHub will link all devices in a home to a single wireless system


 The neoStat V3 is a programmable thermostat that has been designed to connect to the new Hub Gen 3


 Most heating issues can now be resolved by check-ups that can be performed remotely


Team eff ort Manufacturers have therefore had to adapt. At IMI, the newly defi ned Climate Control sector now unites fi ve specialist brands – including advanced heating controls manufacturer IMI Heatmiser – to deliver intelligent, integrated heating control solutions for every type of building and complexity of project. From smart controls to


precise balancing and actuation, pressurisation and water quality management, IMI now off ers a complete system approach – engineered for comfort, performance, effi ciency, and ease across residential and mixed-use developments. Whatever the heat source


and size of the project, IMI Heatmiser products off er a solution to supply at scale for effi ciently managing heating balance and maintaining control at a user’s fi ngertips. For example, the IMI


Heatmiser neo smart control system is designed to be fl exible and modular, enabling installers


to tailor smart heating setups around each homeowner’s needs. IMI Heatmiser recently


introduced a range of enhanced thermostats with Near Field Communication (NFC) capability which allows for easier, more intuitive device programming from a mobile device. The neoAir V4 is a programmable wireless thermostat compatible with a range of system hubs that can manage up to 32 heating and hot water zones. The neoPlug V2 off ers


a solution to add other appliances such as room lamps to an overall smart home management system, while the neoStat V3 is a programmable thermostat that can also be used as a timer. A well-positioned thermostat greatly improves the network range of a heating management system, compared to earlier generation radio frequency-based systems. These devices connect with


the next generation of neoHub Gen 3, with the full ‘ecosystem’ managed through the established neoApp. It links all devices in the home to a single wireless system, giving users full control of their heating from anywhere using a smart phone, all via the home broadband router. The Gen 3 neoHub includes several improvements based on user feedback, such as NFC pairing, updated reset


 The neoAir can connect to a range of system hubs and allows for easier, more intuitive programming


function, and a 9V DC power supply that’s more compatible with many homes. This next generation of


devices also benefi ts from extended signal range and an enhanced battery life.


Remote monitoring While the latest developments in smart thermostats are designed to help homeowners get the most from their heating systems without technical wizardry, this is also going to change the relationship the homeowner has with the manufacturer. This is because most issues


that may be experienced with the heating system can now be resolved via remote check- ups, which are delivered using secured data received from a WiFi-connected thermostat. In these check-ups, the


device’s settings and control inputs are analysed alongside the system’s temperature readings and historical behaviour to troubleshoot and can help to improve the property’s energy performance. With a signifi cant section


of the user base now used to home devices using voice recognition command, AI is also beginning to aff ect many of our daily interactions with online services and customer support. This highlights the next big leap for manufacturers and installers who provide ongoing maintenance services. They need to transform their post- installation support to enhance the customer experience, particularly when using handheld smart control devices. That could be the next great


infl ection point for the heating and climate management industry. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/725/47


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