A combi boiler is a popular choice for many homes, providing both heating and hot water from one compact unit. However, controlling the temperature of your home with a combi boiler can be a challenge without the right thermostat. That’s where the best thermostat for combi boilers comes in.
Why Upgrade Your Thermostat?
Upgrading your thermostat offers a multitude of advantages, ranging from enhanced comfort to reduced energy bills. By investing in a modern, advanced thermostat for your combi boiler, you unlock a world of possibilities to optimize your heating system. Here are some compelling reasons to consider an upgrade:
1. Precise Temperature Control
A high-quality thermostat empowers you to fine-tune the temperature settings of your combi boiler with unparalleled accuracy. Modern thermostats utilize advanced sensors and algorithms to maintain the desired temperature within a narrow range, ensuring optimal comfort throughout your home. Say goodbye to those chilly mornings and uneven heating!
2. Energy Efficiency
Efficiency is a key consideration for any homeowner. By upgrading your thermostat, you can significantly reduce energy waste and lower your utility bills. Smart thermostats, for instance, adapt to your lifestyle patterns, learning your heating preferences and automatically adjusting the temperature when you’re away. This intelligent optimization leads to substantial energy savings without compromising comfort.
3. Programmable Convenience
Gone are the days of manually adjusting your thermostat multiple times a day. Programmable thermostats offer the convenience of setting customized heating schedules to match your daily routine. Whether you want to wake up to a warm home or ensure energy savings during working hours, a programmable thermostat provides the flexibility you need to fine-tune your heating system effortlessly.
4. Integration and Connectivity
Modern thermostats embrace the power of technology, offering seamless integration with other smart home devices. With connectivity features such as Wi-Fi, you can control your combi boiler’s temperature remotely through a smartphone app or voice commands. This integration enables a truly connected home environment, where your thermostat works in harmony with other automated systems.
Best Thermostats List
- Homematic IP Wall Thermostat with Humidity Sensor
- Hive Active Heating Thermostat
- Honeywell Home Programmable Thermostat
- Ecobee Smart Thermostat
- tado° Wireless Temperature Sensor
A good thermostat can help you achieve the perfect temperature in your home, while also saving you money on your energy bills. When choosing a thermostat for your combi boiler, there are several things to consider, such as compatibility with your boiler, ease of use, and features like programmable settings and smart home integration.
Compatibility is key when choosing a thermostat for your combi boiler. Not all thermostats are compatible with all boilers, so it’s important to check the manufacturer’s specifications before making a purchase. Additionally, you’ll want to consider the ease of use of the thermostat, as well as any additional features that may be important to you.
After researching and testing several thermostats, we have identified the best thermostat for combi boilers on the market. With this thermostat, you can easily control the temperature of your home and save money on your energy bills.
Types of Thermostats for Combi Boilers
When it comes to choosing the right thermostat for your combi boiler, it’s essential to understand the various types available. Each type offers unique features and functionalities to cater to different needs and preferences. Here are the most common thermostat types you’ll encounter:
1. Non-Programmable Thermostats
Non-programmable thermostats are straightforward devices that allow you to manually adjust the temperature. While they lack advanced features like scheduling or remote control, they are budget-friendly options suitable for those who prefer simplicity. Non-programmable thermostats can still offer accuracy and reliability in maintaining a consistent temperature.
2. Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats take comfort and convenience to the next level. These thermostats allow you to set customized heating schedules for different times of the day or week. You can program temperature adjustments to align with your daily activities, ensuring optimal comfort while maximizing energy savings. Some models even offer Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling remote control through a smartphone app.
3. Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats represent the pinnacle of modern heating control. These intelligent devices utilize advanced algorithms, occupancy sensors, and machine learning to adapt to your lifestyle and heating preferences.
Smart thermostats offer seamless integration with other smart home devices, allowing for voice commands and remote control through smartphones or virtual assistants. They provide detailed energy reports, insights, and can even learn from your behaviour to optimize your heating system automatically.
Best Thermostats for Combi Boilers
If you have a combi boiler, you’ll know how important it is to have a reliable thermostat to control the temperature in your home. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best 5 thermostats for combi boilers.
Whether you’re looking for a simple, no-frills option or a high-tech, smart thermostat, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find the perfect thermostat for your combi boiler.
Homematic IP Wall Thermostat with Humidity Sensor
If you want to control the temperature of your room in a smart way, the Homematic IP Wall Thermostat with Humidity Sensor is a superb option.
Pros
- Measures the setpoint and actual temperature as well as humidity
- Comfortable voice control with Amazon Alexa
- Equipped with an illuminated display and can be positioned anywhere in the room due to the radio communication
Cons
- Requires the Homematic IP Radiator Thermostat, the Homematic IP Floor Heating Actuator or the Homematic IP Pluggable Switch to control the temperature
- May not fit on some wall switches
- Not suitable for controlling the boiler itself
The Homematic IP Wall Thermostat with Humidity Sensor is easy to integrate into existing switches of leading manufacturers such as Berker, GIRA, Merten, JUNG and ELSO. It can be used with the Homematic IP app, the Homematic Central Control Unit CCU2/CCU3 and various partner solutions.
The Homematic IP Wall Thermostat with Humidity Sensor is battery-powered, and it comes with a clip-on frame, a mounting plate and double-sided adhesive strips for easy installation. You can control the temperature of your room via voice commands with Amazon Alexa in connection with the Homematic IP Access Point.
The Homematic IP Wall Thermostat with Humidity Sensor is a good option for those who want to control the temperature of their room in a smart way. However, it requires the Homematic IP Radiator Thermostat, the Homematic IP Floor Heating Actuator or the Homematic IP Pluggable Switch to control the temperature, and it may not fit on some wall switches.
Hive Active Heating Thermostat
If you’re looking for a reliable and easy-to-use thermostat for your combi boiler, the Hive Active Heating Thermostat is a superb option to consider. The Hive Smart Thermostat is an excellent choice for homeowners looking to build an intelligent ecosystem for their homes.
It offers user-friendly controls and the ability to control heating rooms separately with optional smart thermostatic radiator valves. The Hive thermostat features an aesthetically pleasing design with a circular dial for temperature control.
It supports geolocation tools for automatic heating adjustments and offers features like vacation mode to help save costs on heating bills. However, it does not come with a motion sensor and requires a subscription for monitoring.
Pros
- Heating Boost – For up to six hours
- Heating Schedules – Set up to 6 daily time slots
- Automatic Frost Protection – Helps prevent frozen pipes
Cons
- Smart Home Hub Required
- Only compatible with Combi Boilers
- App can be difficult to navigate
The Hive Active Heating Thermostat offers a range of features that make it a top choice for anyone looking to control their heating with ease. With the Heating Boost feature, you can quickly boost your heating for up to six hours, perfect for those colder days when you need a little extra warmth. The Heating Schedules feature allows you to set up to six daily time slots, so you can have your heating come on and off at times that suit you.
One of the standout features of the Hive Active Heating Thermostat is the Automatic Frost Protection. This feature helps to prevent frozen pipes by automatically turning on your heating if the temperature drops below a certain level. This is a great feature for anyone who lives in an area that gets particularly cold during the winter months.
While the Hive Active Heating Thermostat is a first class product, it’s important to note that it does require a Smart Home Hub to function. Additionally, it’s only compatible with Combi boilers, so if you have a different type of boiler, this product may not be suitable for you. Finally, some users have reported that the app can be difficult to navigate, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to adjust your heating settings quickly.
Combi Boiler Thermostat Recommendation
If you’re looking for a reliable and easy-to-use thermostat for your combi boiler, the Hive Active Heating Thermostat is definitely worth considering. With a range of features designed to make controlling your heating as easy as possible, this product is a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to improve their home heating system control.
Honeywell Home Programmable Thermostat
If you’re looking for a simple, reliable thermostat for your combi boiler, the Honeywell Thermostat is the option for you.
Pros:
- Simple and value for money
- Energy savings, convenience, and comfort.
- Customization and flexibility.
Cons:
- Limited schedule options.
- Complex programming.
- Lack of remote access.
The Honeywell Home Programmable Thermostat offers a range of convenient features for optimal temperature control. With flexible programming options, you can choose between a 5-2 day or one-week schedule to suit your lifestyle. The thermostat’s LCD screen provides a large backlit display, allowing you to easily view both the current room temperature and the set point temperature simultaneously.
One of the standout features is the smart response learning capability, which learns your heating/cooling cycle times. This ensures that the thermostat delivers the desired temperature precisely when you want it. Additionally, the thermostat automatically switches between heating and cooling modes with its auto change feature, adapting to the temperature settings you’ve programmed.
The Honeywell Home Programmable Thermostat also includes practical reminders for air filter changes and low battery levels. It offers temporary and permanent hold settings, allowing you to override the programmed schedule as needed.
Moreover, the thermostat features a real-time clock that automatically adjusts for daylight savings time and offers a choice between 12-hour or 24-hour time display. Even during power outages, the program settings are retained in memory, ensuring that your preferences are maintained without interruption
Ecobee Smart Thermostat
If you’re looking for a smart thermostat that can help you save money and energy, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat is an option to seriously consider.
Pros
- Save up to 23% annually on heating and cooling costs (compared to a hold of 72°F)
- Control from anywhere using your Android or iOS device
- Add SmartSensor to manage hot or cold spots and deliver enhanced comfort to the rooms that matter most
Cons
- Requires ecobee SmartSensor for doors and windows and a Smart Security subscription to automatically pause your heating or cooling when a door or window is left open
- Some users have reported connectivity issues with the app
- The installation process may take longer than 30 minutes for some users
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat is a sleek and modern-looking device that can help you save money on your energy bills. With the ability to save up to 23% annually on heating and cooling costs, this thermostat is an investment for homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint and save money.
One of the best things about the Ecobee Smart Thermostat is its ability to be controlled from anywhere using your Android or iOS device. This means that you can adjust the temperature of your home even when you’re not there, which is great for people who are always on the go.
Another feature of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat is its ability to add SmartSensor to manage hot or cold spots and deliver enhanced comfort to the rooms that matter most. This can be especially useful for larger homes where certain rooms may be more difficult to heat or cool.
However, it’s important to note that the Ecobee Smart Thermostat requires ecobee SmartSensor for doors and windows and a Smart Security subscription to automatically pause your heating or cooling when a door or window is left open. Additionally, some users have reported connectivity issues with the app, and the installation process may take longer than 30 minutes for some users.
Overall, if you’re looking for a smart thermostat that can help you save money and energy, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat is definitely worth considering.
tado° Wireless Temperature Sensor
If you’re looking for a wireless temperature sensor that can accurately set the temperature to your preferences, then the tado° Wireless Temperature Sensor is a great option.
Pros
- The wireless temperature sensor moves the temperature measurement away from the heating source to the place that is most important to you and accurately sets it to your preferences.
- It is very easy to install the wireless temperature sensor yourself. Mount it on a wall in your home or place it on a surface of your choice – no drilling is necessary.
- With the Smart Schedule, you plan your desired day & night temperatures in time blocks for each room and save energy – only active (e.g. raise temperature) when someone’s at home.
Cons
- Only works with a tado° Starter Kit (V2, V3, V3+), separately available – the wireless temperature sensor is measuring the temperature where it matters the most for you.
- The smart radiator valves are comically inaccurate at both the cold and hot ends of the scale, so the compensation settings are of little use – you’ll need to invest in these £70 room thermostats if you want to get your heating under control.
- The wireless temperature sensor serves as an optional add-on for your tado° smart radiator thermostats starter kit – control several radiator valves in a room with one device.
The tado° Wireless Temperature Sensor is a great product if you’re looking for a wireless temperature sensor that can accurately set the temperature to your preferences. It is very easy to install the wireless temperature sensor yourself, and you can mount it on a wall in your home or place it on a surface of your choice. With the Smart Schedule, you can plan your desired day & night temperatures in time blocks for each room and save energy – only active (e.g. raise temperature) when someone’s at home.
The only downside to the tado° Wireless Temperature Sensor is that it only works with a tado° Starter Kit (V2, V3, V3+), which is separately available. Additionally, the smart radiator valves are comically inaccurate at both the cold and hot ends of the scale, so the compensation settings are of little use – you’ll need to invest in these £70 room thermostats if you want to get your heating under control. Finally, the wireless temperature sensor serves as an optional add-on for your tado° smart radiator thermostats starter kit – control several radiator valves in a room with one device.
Comparison table of the best thermostats
| Feature | Eco Bee Smart Thermostat | Honeywell Home Programmable Thermostat | Hive Active Heating Thermostat | Homematic IP Wall Thermostat | Tado Wireless Temperature Sensor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | Compatible with most gas boilers | Compatible with most gas boilers | Compatible with most gas boilers | Compatible with most gas boilers | Compatible with Tado Smart Thermostat, Tado Smart Radiator Thermostat, and Tado AC Control |
| Remote Control | Control temperature remotely via smartphone app | Control temperature remotely via smartphone app | Control temperature remotely via smartphone app | Control temperature remotely via smartphone app | Control temperature remotely via smartphone app |
| Geofencing | Can use geofencing to detect when you’re away from home and adjust the temperature accordingly | Can use geofencing to detect when you’re away from home and adjust the temperature accordingly | Can use geofencing to detect when you’re away from home and adjust the temperature accordingly | Can use geofencing to detect when you’re away from home and adjust the temperature accordingly | Can use geofencing to detect when you’re away from home and adjust the temperature accordingly |
| Voice Control | Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit | Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit | Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit | Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit | Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit |
| Energy Saving Features | Learns your schedule and automatically adjusts temperature to save energy | Learns your schedule and automatically adjusts temperature to save energy | Learns your schedule and automatically adjusts temperature to save energy | Learns your schedule and automatically adjusts temperature to save energy | Can detect when a window is open and turn off the heating in that room to save energy |
| Price | Retails for around £199.99 | Retails for around £139.99 | Retails for around £179.99 | Retails for around £59.99 | Retails for around £79.99 |
Which Thermostat is Right For You?
Best Premium Thermostat
The best premium thermostat among the options listed is the Hive Active Heating Smart Thermostat. It offers advanced features such as smart learning capabilities, room sensor compatibility for enhanced temperature control in multiple areas, and integration with popular smart home platforms.
Best Overall Thermostat
For homeowners looking for the best overall thermostat, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat is also a strong contender. It provides a combination of advanced features, energy-saving capabilities, and user-friendly interface.
The room sensor compatibility allows for targeted temperature control, while the smart learning algorithms optimize heating and cooling based on occupancy patterns. The integration with smart home platforms adds convenience and flexibility to the overall home automation system.
Buying Guide
When choosing the best thermostat for your combi boiler, there are a few key features that you should consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind when making your decision:
Compatibility
First and foremost, it is important to ensure that the thermostat you choose is compatible with your combi boiler. Some thermostats are designed specifically for certain types of boilers, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure compatibility.
Programmability
Programmable thermostats allow you to set different temperatures for different times of the day, which can help you save money on your energy bills. Look for a thermostat that allows you to set multiple schedules and adjust them easily.
Connectivity
Many modern thermostats offer connectivity features, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which allow you to control your heating remotely using a smartphone app. This can be a convenient feature if you are often away from home or want to adjust your heating from another room.
Display
The display on your thermostat should be easy to read and understand, with clear temperature readings and intuitive controls. Look for a thermostat with a backlit display to make it easier to read in low light conditions.
Additional Features
Some thermostats offer additional features, such as voice control, geofencing, or integration with smart home systems. Consider whether these features are important to you and whether they are worth the extra cost.
Choosing the best thermostat for your combi boiler comes down to finding a model that is compatible, programmable, easy to use, and offers the features you need. By keeping these factors in mind, you can make an informed decision and find a thermostat that meets your needs.
FAQ
Q: What features should I look for in the best thermostat for a combi boiler?
A: When selecting a thermostat for a combi boiler, it’s important to consider features such as programmability, compatibility with your heating system, ease of use, temperature control precision, and energy-saving capabilities.
Q: Can I control the best thermostat for a combi boiler remotely?
A: Yes, many modern thermostats offer remote control functionality through smartphone apps or home automation systems, allowing you to adjust settings and monitor your combi boiler’s temperature from anywhere.
Q: Are smart thermostats compatible with all combi boilers?
A: Smart thermostats are designed to be compatible with a wide range of heating systems, including most combi boilers. However, it’s essential to check the compatibility of the specific smart thermostat model with your combi boiler before making a purchase.
Q: How do I choose the right programmable thermostat for my combi boiler?
A: When choosing a programmable thermostat for your combi boiler, consider factors such as the number of daily/weekly schedule settings, the flexibility to adjust temperature settings, energy-saving features, and compatibility with your heating system.
Q: Are there any government incentives or rebates for installing the best thermostat for a combi boiler?
A: Government incentives and rebates for thermostat installations vary by region and country. It’s advisable to check with local authorities or energy efficiency programs to determine if there are any available incentives or rebates for installing energy-saving thermostats for combi boilers in your area.