PHAM NEWS | APRIL 2026 32 Energy SavingProducts


Technology to put a home under control


Energy effi ciency has become a priority for homeowners due to rising energy costs and the shift toward electrifi cation. Merlin Milner at Drayton explores how smart heating controls and integrated smart home technology can eff ectively improve energy management.


C


onsumer demand for smart home technology continues to grow. Research conducted by Drayton


found that 96% of installers’ customers are interested in integrating smart technology into their homes. Supporting this further, a survey by Drayton Controls and Schneider Electric revealed that energy-effi ciency improvements are the most popular type of home upgrade among UK homeowners. While traditional heating


controls still play an important role, upgrading to a smart system such as Wiser can reduce a home’s overall energy consumption by up to 30%. When heating controls are combined with connected lighting, window and door sensors, motion detectors, and other smart devices, even greater effi ciencies can be achieved through a fully integrated system.


Why upgrade? Heating accounts for approximately 80% of total household energy use, meaning even small improvements can deliver meaningful cost and carbon savings. Research from BEAMA showed


that moving from a basic Class I room thermostat to a Class V smart heating control can reduce energy usage by up to 12%. Field trials also revealed that replacing a standard thermostat and programmer with a smart programmable thermostat can cut gas usage by around 5%. Smart heating systems


optimise when and how heat is delivered by adapting to schedules, occupancy patterns, and environmental conditions. Instead of operating on fi xed time settings, they ensure the boiler runs only when necessary – reducing wasted energy while maintaining comfort.


In the zone Multi-zone heating is one of the most requested features among homeowners. By dividing a property into separate rooms or zones, each with independent


 The Wiser Window & Door Sensor remotely monitors if


windows or doors are open or closed


temperature control, heating is delivered only where needed. This prevents energy from being wasted in unoccupied spaces. Systems such as Wiser


Merlin Milner Product owner - heating systems & product manager at Drayton


BY NUMBERS


Heating accounts for around 80% of total household energy use


96% 80% 30%


19%


BEAMA statistics show multi-zone heating can save


up to 19% on energy bills 12%


Switching from a basic ‘stat to a Class V smart heating control can save up to 12% energy usage


The Wiser Temperature & Humidity Sensor monitors room temperature and humidity levels remotely when connected to a compatible smart hub


allow room-by-room control through radiator thermostats, where homeowners can create more independent zones by simply adding more radiator thermostats which can all be simply controlled via one smartphone app. This enables users to customise temperatures according to individual preferences. BEAMA statistics indicate that multi-zone heating can deliver energy bill savings of up to 19%, making it one of the most eff ective energy- management features available.


A majority of installers’ customers say they are interested in smart home technology


Optimum operation Smart heating systems often include intelligent operating modes that adapt automatically to household routines and external conditions. For example, Wiser’s Eco Mode combines optimum stop and weather compensation to learn a home’s thermal performance and adjust heating accordingly. Additionally, Away Mode allows users to turn off heating when


the property is empty without manually changing schedules. Research among Wiser users


shows that utilising smart modes can reduce energy consumption by an average of 16% without compromising comfort by maximising boiler effi ciency and reducing unnecessary usage.


Valuable insights Access to usage data empowers homeowners to better understand and manage their energy consumption. Through app-based insights, users can monitor heating patterns, track internal and external temperatures, and identify opportunities to optimise performance. By providing this level of visibility enables homeowners to make more informed decisions and behavioural changes that drive effi ciency. Remote heating control is


one of the most popular smart features, with 66% of installers reporting it as their customers’ top interest. The ability to adjust heating from anywhere via a smartphone app off ers fl exibility that matches modern lifestyles. Remote access allows


homeowners to respond to unexpected schedule changes, prevent heating empty homes, and fi ne-tune temperatures in real time. App-based remote control can reduce energy consumption by up to 5% according to BEAMA research. This fl exibility removes ineffi ciencies from rigid programming and supports more responsive energy management.


Beyond heating Smart home demand now extends beyond heating into whole-home automation. Homeowners increasingly want integrated systems that provide greater control over energy use while enhancing convenience. Our installer research shows


that smart lighting is the most popular addition beyond heating, with 56% of customers either already using or planning to install it. Smart alarms follow at 36%, alongside growing interest in water leak detectors, window and door sensors, humidity sensors, and motion detectors. These systems, like Wiser’s


Smart systems like Wiser can potentially reduce a home’s


energy consumption by 30%


2nd Generation, integrate multiple devices into a single platform. These can include smoke alarms, window and door sensors, water leak detection, temperature and humidity monitoring, motion detection, lighting control, shading modules, and power micromodules, all managed through one app. This delivers additional


layers of energy effi ciency as sensors can directly infl uence heating behaviour. For example, it will automatically adjust temperatures if a window is opened. Lighting systems can respond to occupancy, ensuring lights are used only when needed. Power modules can shift hot water heating to off -peak tariff periods, reducing both costs and carbon emissions. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/426/56


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40