Product test

Lower heating costs thanks to the right thermostat setting

1.11.2017

Translation: machine translated

You can use a thermostat to regulate the temperature in your home and switch the heating on and off. There are now different types of thermostats. The classic ones that work in analogue mode and those that can be controlled digitally. The advantages of the digital version help you to save electricity and offer other practical benefits.

How a thermostat works

Thermostats fulfil a central task on the radiator. You can regulate the temperature with the small units and adjust the radiator to your liking. The thermostat is connected to a valve. It can open and close the valve. The upper part of the thermostat, which is visible to you, can be adjusted and is used to control this valve. The thermostat head contains the most important component - the temperature sensor. Once the temperature has been measured using the temperature sensor, a preset value or range is set, which must be kept constant. If it is too cold or even too hot, the valve is opened or closed accordingly.

The different thermostats

Most people are familiar with the analogue or manual version of thermostats. Here, the temperature is set manually. The desired temperature is set indirectly using the digits on the rotary knob. Level 3 corresponds to around 20 degrees. With the digital version, however, it can be set very specifically to the desired value.

The set value is shown in real time on the display. The digital version employs an electric motor, which means it can be automated more flexibly. For example, it is possible to switch the thermostat on or off at a specific time or even set different temperatures depending on the day of the week or time of day. This is a major advantage that electronic thermostats have over simple radiator thermostats.

Thermostats that are equipped with a separate timer also allow the temperature to be lowered at certain times. This can reduce energy consumption in rooms that are temporarily unused.

Saving electricity with the smart home concept

This automation is convenient and saves energy. There are thermostats that can be integrated into an entire smart home system. Depending on the model, it is possible for the thermostats to be conveniently controlled via smartphone or for the heating to switch off as soon as a window is opened. Motion detectors or other devices can also be integrated into this overall concept. Some models also incorporate weather forecasts and much more into the settings to optimise the heating.

The smart thermostat from tado°

The thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature when the occupants are present or absent. This automation is carried out via an installed app with intelligent location determination. Instead of using GPS, the location of the mobile phone or WLAN network in which the resident is located is determined. The adaptive system takes external data such as weather forecasts into account and adjusts the room temperature accordingly. According to the manufacturer, this saves up to 31% energy and heating costs. The intelligent products from tado° communicate wirelessly with the Internet Bridge supplied. This means you can easily control your thermostats using the tado° app.

The radiator starter kit

The smart radiator thermostat kit offers convenience and ease of use. The set temperature is shown on an LED display. A rotary dial allows you to set the temperature easily and precisely. It contains two smart radiator thermostats that control your radiators depending on their location. This means you always have a warm home and save energy and heating costs when you're away from home.

Thermostats

tado° Smart radiator thermostat - Starter Kit

The thermostat starter kit (v3)

You can save money with the individual room control and the control algorithm. The improved app operation of the thermostat makes controlling your heating even easier. You can set your heating manually at any time using the corresponding app. The thermostat shows you the current temperature and is easy to operate at the touch of a button.

Thermostats

tado° Starter Kit V3 for apartments with room thermostat

The networked smart thermostat from Netatmo

Netatmo registers open windows and reacts by setting the products integrated in the smart home accordingly. The thermostats are very quiet and can be networked with many other Netatmo products. The devices in Philippe Starck design offer broad compatibility. The start kit even includes 6 adapters. The radiator thermostats also take the outside temperature and lots of other information into account when making precise settings.

Smart Radiator Valves

The radiator thermostat allows you to set an individual comfort temperature for each room. You can heat each room according to your personal preference. The night mode allows you to save energy, as the thermostat lowers the temperature throughout the house - except in the bedroom. When you are not at home, the Eco mode reduces the heat output throughout the house. You can conveniently control your entire home with your smartphone.

Thermostats

CHF209.75

Netatmo Starter kit Smart Radiator Valves

Room thermostat

You can use the app to monitor the indoor temperature consumption and the activity of the heater. With Apple's Siri voice control, you can even control your heating using your voice. With the "Auto-Adapt" function and the heating report, you can reduce your energy costs by up to 37%.

On the Netatmo page you can find out whether the thermostat is compatible with your heating system.