Best Wifi enabled thermostat

Best Wifi enabled thermostat

Author
Discussion

mjb1

2,556 posts

159 months

Monday 28th November 2016
quotequote all
So I started looking at smoke alarms, and ultimately decided that several Nest Protect alarms is what I want. That got me on to looking at clever thermostats. I was thinking of going with the Nest (3rd gen) as the best choice to take advantage of it linking with the protects.

Now I've just come across this thread and Tado seems to be better regarded on here? The nest certainly looks smarter, but it seems the Tado is at least as good functionality wise? I really like the idea of combining the Tado TRVs with their thermostat (although my rads don't have TRVs on already). It doesn't look like there are equivalent TRV's available for the Nest?

I see Maplins have the v2 Tado for £135, and Tado themselves have 20% discount (if I'm quick) that makes a v3 £160. From what I can tell there's almost no difference between the v2 and v3, other than v3 links to Apple something (which I've no interest in)??

I also read several pages back on this thread that someone had linked their Nest Protects to Tado, so maybe the combination is almost as comunicative as pure Nest products?

What's the battery life like on the Tado thermostat? The nest is mains powered, so that's a factor for me to.

Edited by mjb1 on Monday 28th November 00:38

Mattt

16,661 posts

218 months

Monday 28th November 2016
quotequote all
Couple of batteries once a year for mine

ST-Alex

188 posts

147 months

Monday 28th November 2016
quotequote all
I'm still really happy with my Tado 2 years on. Definitely a case of set it and forget, it works when it needs to and keeps the house just the right temperature. I get an email about once a year saying the batteries in the thermostat are low at which point I change them. I can confirm I'm not constantly changing them which was one of my initial concerns.

I'm awaiting delivery of a smart TRV which I ordered around a month ago (Think they are struggling to supply demand). I'll update once I receive that. I've on;y ordered one at this stage for my daughters nursery to make sure that will stay the right temperature. Ideally I'd have one on each radiator but I'll see how well one works first.

I've got the version 2 and was offered the upgrade to version 3 for £39.99 but have declined it as all it gets over v2 is apple integration, nothing else. I don't have anything apple and wouldn't use any of it's features even if I did as I don't interact with Tado now it's set up.

I wouldn't think twice about recommending it.

Trustmeimadoctor

12,601 posts

155 months

Monday 28th November 2016
quotequote all
mjb1 said:
So I started looking at smoke alarms, and ultimately decided that several Nest Protect alarms is what I want. That got me on to looking at clever thermostats. I was thinking of going with the Nest (3rd gen) as the best choice to take advantage of it linking with the protects.

Now I've just come across this thread and Tado seems to be better regarded on here? The nest certainly looks smarter, but it seems the Tado is at least as good functionality wise? I really like the idea of combining the Tado TRVs with their thermostat (although my rads don't have TRVs on already). It doesn't look like there are equivalent TRV's available for the Nest?

I see Maplins have the v2 Tado for £135, and Tado themselves have 20% discount (if I'm quick) that makes a v3 £160. From what I can tell there's almost no difference between the v2 and v3, other than v3 links to Apple something (which I've no interest in)??

I also read several pages back on this thread that someone had linked their Nest Protects to Tado, so maybe the combination is almost as comunicative as pure Nest products?

What's the battery life like on the Tado thermostat? The nest is mains powered, so that's a factor for me to.

Edited by mjb1 on Monday 28th November 00:38
imho if your doing that evo home is the one their alarm ties into the same app its more money tho

paulrockliffe

15,697 posts

227 months

Monday 28th November 2016
quotequote all
ST-Alex said:
I'm awaiting delivery of a smart TRV which I ordered around a month ago (Think they are struggling to supply demand). I'll update once I receive that. I've on;y ordered one at this stage for my daughters nursery to make sure that will stay the right temperature. Ideally I'd have one on each radiator but I'll see how well one works first.
I think you might be disappointed. To heat just one room, you need the TRVs in every room you don't want to heat. When you want to heat just that one room, you need smart TRVs to close off every other radiator. I realised this before I bought one for our freezing bathroom....

Everything else you've written matches perfectly with my experiences. The nest looks nicer, but with the Tado why would you ever look at it, it's fit and forget? It's improved hugely since it first came out too, there's much better options for heating schedules and different temperatures at different times of the day, manual periods as well as automatic and now the TRVs.

rufmeister

1,333 posts

122 months

Monday 28th November 2016
quotequote all
usernameblank said:
Wickes have launched their Hive Range (smart heating for your home) All Hive products, plus installation is 20% off, ends today.

This offer can also be used in conjunction with the fantastic spend & save promotion that Wickes are running.

Out of stock.

maniac886

1,214 posts

170 months

Monday 28th November 2016
quotequote all
FYI anyone who is interested in Tado and doesn't mind waiting until Feb 17 for shipping Tado are doing 20% off everything on their website until the end of today.

RevsPerMinute

1,876 posts

221 months

Monday 28th November 2016
quotequote all
I'm trying to buy a Hive and make use of the black friday offer. I need to book in online for installation. It says there are no appointments available, so can't continue with purchase.

I went onto the online chat/help. Thats also broken.

British Gas at its best.

ST-Alex

188 posts

147 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
paulrockliffe said:
ST-Alex said:
I'm awaiting delivery of a smart TRV which I ordered around a month ago (Think they are struggling to supply demand). I'll update once I receive that. I've on;y ordered one at this stage for my daughters nursery to make sure that will stay the right temperature. Ideally I'd have one on each radiator but I'll see how well one works first.
I think you might be disappointed. To heat just one room, you need the TRVs in every room you don't want to heat. When you want to heat just that one room, you need smart TRVs to close off every other radiator. I realised this before I bought one for our freezing bathroom....

Everything else you've written matches perfectly with my experiences. The nest looks nicer, but with the Tado why would you ever look at it, it's fit and forget? It's improved hugely since it first came out too, there's much better options for heating schedules and different temperatures at different times of the day, manual periods as well as automatic and now the TRVs.
I can appreciate what your saying. I've got standard rec'd on all other radiators. It's not going to be ideal but at least I can keep my daughter's nursery at a set temperature then balance the other TRVs to roughly match. We'll see how it goes!!!
I had a rather frustrating chat with Tado custom service yesterday. I queried when I might receive my Smart TRV. They said the PayPal payment had not gone through. I then managed to establish they couldn't dispatch my order before PayPal timed out. They haven't notified me of this and didn't intend to. They said I had to submit payment again and they will try and dispatch ASAP. If I hadn't phoned up I wouldn't have known. We'll see if this one gets processed!

paulrockliffe

15,697 posts

227 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
ST-Alex said:
paulrockliffe said:
ST-Alex said:
I'm awaiting delivery of a smart TRV which I ordered around a month ago (Think they are struggling to supply demand). I'll update once I receive that. I've on;y ordered one at this stage for my daughters nursery to make sure that will stay the right temperature. Ideally I'd have one on each radiator but I'll see how well one works first.
I think you might be disappointed. To heat just one room, you need the TRVs in every room you don't want to heat. When you want to heat just that one room, you need smart TRVs to close off every other radiator. I realised this before I bought one for our freezing bathroom....

Everything else you've written matches perfectly with my experiences. The nest looks nicer, but with the Tado why would you ever look at it, it's fit and forget? It's improved hugely since it first came out too, there's much better options for heating schedules and different temperatures at different times of the day, manual periods as well as automatic and now the TRVs.
I can appreciate what your saying. I've got standard rec'd on all other radiators. It's not going to be ideal but at least I can keep my daughter's nursery at a set temperature then balance the other TRVs to roughly match. We'll see how it goes!!!
I had a rather frustrating chat with Tado custom service yesterday. I queried when I might receive my Smart TRV. They said the PayPal payment had not gone through. I then managed to establish they couldn't dispatch my order before PayPal timed out. They haven't notified me of this and didn't intend to. They said I had to submit payment again and they will try and dispatch ASAP. If I hadn't phoned up I wouldn't have known. We'll see if this one gets processed!
Can you not just move the Tado thermostat box into your daughter's room so that the temperature is set there? I move mine all the time depending on which of the woodburners are on and whether I'm happy for the fires to keep the other rooms from getting too cold or not.

DJFish

5,921 posts

263 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
I've just installed a Drayton MiGenie.
Our rads are tuned to the coldest room in the house and we have a pretty set routine so we don't really need a 'smart' thermostat.
Also what happens if you both go out & leave the kids with granny?
No phone in range means the heating goes off?
We decided we didn't need the complexity or cost.
The problem we had was that the coldest room is also where I sleep betwixt night shifts so if the wife or kids came home unexpectedly my wife would have to sneak in and turn on the heating, plus she's been bemoaning the lack of a boost button since she left home over two decades ago.

So I earned major brownie point by upgrading the controls, in reality the back plates were industry standard so all I actually had to do was re-site it and plug the thing in.
And now we can programme the heating more accurately (over 7days) & she can control the heating remotely from her phone, including the all important boost button (which I can also cancel with mine).

eatontrifles

1,442 posts

234 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
DJFish said:
Also what happens if you both go out & leave the kids with granny?
No phone in range means the heating goes off?
You override it to run in manual mode, either with the app on your phone (from anywhere) or by using the buttons on the thermostat. When overriding on the app you get the option to leave it in manual; Until next Automatic Change, Timer (countdown), or Until Ended by User.

snotrag

14,457 posts

211 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
One of these systems is something I've been considering for a while, but I do wonder how well it would actually work for us.

2 bed semi, 1978, very well insulated, good windows etc.

Good zised Worcester Bosch greenstar combi, good rads, all quite new. House stays warm.

Our combined electrci/gas bill is low, with gas only used by the boiler.

Do we think the 'functionality' is worth it, even if the capital payback might only work out over a course of a few years?

SMar

201 posts

140 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
DJFish said:
I've just installed a Drayton MiGenie.
Also what happens if you both go out & leave the kids with granny?
No phone in range means the heating goes off?
The Tado can be controlled manually or just turn it to continuously on, no big deal!

mjb1

2,556 posts

159 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice, I ordered a Tado thermostat and some of their TRVs last night (got the 20% discount). I was in two minds about the TRVs, since none of my radiators have mechanical ones at present, so it's a bigger job than just swapping the heads.

Now I need to check wiring to see if I can practically fit mains powered Nest Protects where I need them or if I'll need battery ones instead.

ST-Alex said:
I can appreciate what your saying. I've got standard rec'd on all other radiators. It's not going to be ideal but at least I can keep my daughter's nursery at a set temperature then balance the other TRVs to roughly match. We'll see how it goes!!!
I had a rather frustrating chat with Tado custom service yesterday. I queried when I might receive my Smart TRV. They said the PayPal payment had not gone through. I then managed to establish they couldn't dispatch my order before PayPal timed out. They haven't notified me of this and didn't intend to. They said I had to submit payment again and they will try and dispatch ASAP. If I hadn't phoned up I wouldn't have known. We'll see if this one gets processed!
Their website says "dispatch Feb 2017".

paulrockliffe

15,697 posts

227 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
snotrag said:
One of these systems is something I've been considering for a while, but I do wonder how well it would actually work for us.

2 bed semi, 1978, very well insulated, good windows etc.

Good zised Worcester Bosch greenstar combi, good rads, all quite new. House stays warm.

Our combined electrci/gas bill is low, with gas only used by the boiler.

Do we think the 'functionality' is worth it, even if the capital payback might only work out over a course of a few years?
That's broadly similar to the setup we have, compared to the previous setup one of the benefits of the Tado system is that it has a much better thermostat. The previous system you could feel the house warm and cool as the heating was over-heating, then letting the house cool too much.

With Tado and the rooms all nicely balanced for temperature you can't tell if the heating is on or not, it fires a little and much more often and maintains an exact temperature.

Actually thinking about that, it's not necessarily the thermostat that's better, it's because the system learns the characteristics of your system and house in the context of the outside temperature and predicted weather when working out when to fire the heating.

Sheepshanks

32,750 posts

119 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
SMar said:
DJFish said:
I've just installed a Drayton MiGenie.
Also what happens if you both go out & leave the kids with granny?
No phone in range means the heating goes off?
The Tado can be controlled manually or just turn it to continuously on, no big deal!
It seems simple but my son-in-law will sit freezing in the house rather than touch the Worcester Wave wall controller!

ST-Alex

188 posts

147 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
paulrockliffe said:
Can you not just move the Tado thermostat box into your daughter's room so that the temperature is set there? I move mine all the time depending on which of the woodburners are on and whether I'm happy for the fires to keep the other rooms from getting too cold or not.
Mine is a Version 2 which has a hard wired thermostat. I believe version 1 has a movable thermostat. I received a email from Tado today to say my order has been processed for the smart TRV so will see when it arrives smile

dickymint

24,320 posts

258 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
ST-Alex said:
paulrockliffe said:
Can you not just move the Tado thermostat box into your daughter's room so that the temperature is set there? I move mine all the time depending on which of the woodburners are on and whether I'm happy for the fires to keep the other rooms from getting too cold or not.
Mine is a Version 2 which has a hard wired thermostat. I believe version 1 has a movable thermostat. I received a email from Tado today to say my order has been processed for the smart TRV so will see when it arrives smile
You need the wifi extension kit fitted to your boiler. This makes your V2 stat "moveable" thumbup

DJFish

5,921 posts

263 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
Sheepshanks said:
SMar said:
DJFish said:
I've just installed a Drayton MiGenie.
Also what happens if you both go out & leave the kids with granny?
No phone in range means the heating goes off?
The Tado can be controlled manually or just turn it to continuously on, no big deal!
It seems simple but my son-in-law will sit freezing in the house rather than touch the Worcester Wave wall controller!
Now it becomes clear!
Cheers!