Heating controls allow different parts of a building to be heated to different temperatures at different times, reducing heating demand.

Works well with: Heat Pumps, Solar Water Heating.

Heating controls can hugely improve the efficiency of a central heating system. They save money and reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Heating controls allow the scheduling of different heating and hot water patterns to suit a building’s usage habits.

There are specific kinds of controls for different parts of a heating system:

• Boiler thermostats set the temperature at which the water is pumped from boilers through to radiators or water underfloor heating.
• Hot water thermostats prevent the water in hot water cylinders from being warmer than necessary.
• Room thermostats allow a room to be heated until it reaches a maximum set temperature.
• Thermostatic radiator valves reduce the flow of water through the radiator they are fitted to when the water is above a certain maximum temperature. Thermostatic radiator valves measure the air temperature so are not recommended for use with radiator covers.

Many heating controls can be installed without replacing the boiler. Heating controls are far more accurate than they used to be. The Energy Savings Trust recommends upgrading any heating controls that are more than just 14 years old. New controls will rapidly pay for themselves and save money as well as abating CO₂ emissions.

Energy Saving Trust, Heating Your Home, Thermostats and Heating Controls. Available from: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/thermostats-and-heating-controls/ [Accessed 26^th January 2021]