A smart thermostat gives you precise control over your heating from your phone, learns your schedule, and can cut your heating bills by 10-25% per year. But getting the most out of a smart thermostat depends on proper installation. Incorrect wiring, poor placement, or incompatible settings can limit performance, cause boiler faults, or void your warranty.
At Ability Plumbing & Heating, our Gas Safe registered engineers professionally install smart thermostats across Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Orpington, and Edenbridge. We handle everything from removing your old thermostat to wiring, mounting, connecting to your Wi-Fi, and programming your heating schedule. When we leave, your smart thermostat is fully operational and optimised for your home.
Call 01732 904098 to book your smart thermostat installation.
Smart Thermostats We Install
We install all major smart thermostat brands. Here is a comparison to help you choose the right one for your home.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
The Nest is the original smart thermostat and remains one of the most popular choices. It learns your schedule over the first week and automatically adjusts heating times based on your routine. It integrates with the Google Home ecosystem and works with Google Assistant voice commands.
Best for: Homeowners who want a thermostat that adapts without manual programming. Households already using Google Home devices.
Key features: Learning schedule, home/away detection using your phone's location, energy history reports, hot water control (with compatible systems), OpenTherm modulation support.
Hive Active Heating
Hive is a British-designed system backed by British Gas. It is straightforward to use with a clean, simple app that does not try to be overly clever. Hive also offers a full ecosystem of smart home products (lights, plugs, sensors) that integrate together.
Best for: Homeowners who want reliable, no-fuss smart heating control. Households who prefer a simpler interface over learning features.
Key features: App and manual control, scheduling, geolocation, holiday mode, hot water control, multi-zone capability with Hive radiator valves.
tado Smart Thermostat
tado is a German-engineered system known for its advanced energy-saving features, including open-window detection and weather-adaptive heating. It uses your home's location and the local weather forecast to adjust heating in real time.
Best for: Energy-conscious homeowners who want maximum efficiency. Properties in exposed or draughty locations where weather-adaptive heating makes a significant difference.
Key features: Open-window detection, weather adaptation, air quality monitoring (some models), multi-zone support with smart radiator valves, Apple HomeKit and Google Home compatible.
Honeywell Evohome
The Evohome is the specialist choice for homes that need multi-zone heating control. Rather than controlling the whole house as one zone, it allows you to set different temperatures in different rooms using wireless radiator controllers.
Best for: Larger homes with rooms that are not always in use. Properties where different family members want different temperatures. Homes in Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells with four or more bedrooms are ideal candidates.
Key features: Up to 12 independent heating zones, individual room scheduling, wireless radiator controllers, hot water control, OpenTherm compatibility.
Drayton Wiser
Drayton Wiser is the budget-friendly multi-zone option. It offers room-by-room control at a lower price point than Honeywell Evohome, making it accessible for homeowners who want zoned heating without the premium price.
Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners who still want multi-zone control. Properties where cost is the primary concern but smart heating is desired.
Key features: Multi-zone support, radiator smart valves, heat channel control, Moments feature for quick scene setting, insights and energy reports.
Will a Smart Thermostat Work With My Boiler?
Most smart thermostats are compatible with most modern gas boilers, including combi, system, and heat-only configurations. However, compatibility is not always guaranteed, and we always recommend a check before purchasing.
Key compatibility factors:
- Boiler age: Boilers manufactured after 2005 are generally compatible. Older boilers may need an adapter or may not support certain features.
- OpenTherm: If your boiler supports OpenTherm, a compatible smart thermostat (Nest, tado, Evohome) can modulate the boiler output rather than simply switching it on and off. This provides smoother heating and better efficiency.
- Wiring: Most smart thermostats replace a standard wired thermostat and use the existing wiring. If your current thermostat is wireless, the installation method may differ.
- System type: Combi boilers typically offer the simplest installation. System and heat-only boilers with separate hot water cylinders may require additional controls.
How Much Can a Smart Thermostat Save?
According to data from the Energy Saving Trust, a smart thermostat can reduce your heating bills by 10-25% per year, depending on your current heating habits and home insulation.
For a typical Kent household spending £1,000-£1,500 per year on gas heating, that translates to savings of £100-£375 annually. Most smart thermostats pay for themselves within 1-2 years through energy savings alone.
The savings come from:
- Eliminating waste -- Heating only when you are home, rather than on a fixed timer
- Geolocation -- Turning heating down when everyone leaves, warming up before you return
- Room-by-room control -- Not heating empty rooms (with smart radiator valves)
- Weather compensation -- Adjusting output based on outside temperature rather than running at full blast
Smart Thermostat Installation Cost
Professional smart thermostat installation with Ability Plumbing & Heating costs from around £150-£300, including the device and fitting.
Typical cost breakdown:
- Smart thermostat device: £100-£220 (depending on brand and model)
- Professional installation: £50-£100 (including removal of old thermostat, wiring, mounting, and setup)