Smart Controls
Smart Thermostats: Are They Worth It?
Reviewed by our Gas Safe registered engineers · Last updated 22 July 2026
A smart thermostat lets you control your heating from your phone and learn your routine — but the savings depend on how you use it. Here’s what you actually get, realistic numbers, and whether it’s worth fitting to your boiler.
Quick answer: A smart thermostat replaces your standard programmer and room thermostat, letting you set schedules, adjust the heating from your phone, and use features like geolocation (turning down when you’re out) and weather compensation. Realistic savings are usually around 5–15% off your heating, and come mostly from heating less rather than any magic — the real value is convenience and control. Most work with a standard combi or system boiler and take an engineer an hour or two to fit.
The Features
What you actually get
Smart thermostats vary, but these are the features that make a real difference day to day.
| Feature | What it does for you |
|---|---|
| App control | Turn the heating up, down or off from your phone, wherever you are |
| Scheduling | Set different temperatures through the day and across the week |
| Geolocation | Turns the heating down automatically when everyone has left |
| Learning | Some models learn your routine and build the schedule for you |
| Weather compensation | Adjusts to the outside temperature to avoid overshooting |
| Usage reports | Shows how much heating you use, so you can trim it back |
| Voice control | Works with Alexa or Google Assistant if you want it |
| Multi-zone (some) | Control rooms or floors separately with extra kit |
The Savings
Where it saves — and where it won’t
Where it saves
Geolocation and easy scheduling mean you heat an empty house less, and phone control makes it painless to turn things down. On a home that currently over-heats or forgets to switch off, that’s where the 5–15% comes from.
Where it won’t
If your schedule is already tight and your home is well controlled, a smart thermostat mostly buys convenience, not big savings. It also can’t fix poor insulation or an inefficient boiler — those need addressing separately.
Engineer Insight
The honest take
A smart thermostat is a genuinely nice upgrade and it can shave a bit off your bills, but the savings come from behaviour, not the gadget. The biggest wins we see are on homes that used to leave the heating on all day — geolocation quietly fixes that. Fitting is straightforward on most combis; the one thing to check first is that your boiler and wiring are compatible, which we confirm before quoting.
Costs
What fitting one typically costs
Typical North London guide prices — you’ll always get an upfront quote before any work starts.
FAQs
Smart thermostats — your questions answered
Are smart thermostats actually worth it?
For most homes, yes — for the convenience and typically 5–15% off heating. But the savings come from heating less, not the device itself. If your home already runs a tight schedule, the benefit is mostly control rather than big savings.
How much can a smart thermostat save me?
Realistically around 5–15% of your heating costs, mostly from geolocation and easy scheduling reducing how much you heat an empty house. The exact figure depends on your home and habits.
Will a smart thermostat work with my boiler?
Most standard combi and system boilers are compatible. Older or unusual wiring sometimes needs an adaptor. We check compatibility before quoting so there are no surprises.
Can I fit a smart thermostat myself?
Some are designed for DIY, but they involve mains wiring to the boiler. If you’re not confident — or want it done safely and the warranty kept — an engineer fits one in an hour or two.
Do smart thermostats need the internet?
The app features (remote control, geolocation, updates) need Wi-Fi. If the internet drops, the thermostat still controls your heating on its schedule locally — you just lose the remote features until it’s back.
Related
Related guides
Which one to choose for your boiler.
Read guideSmart ControlsSmart Thermostat Not WorkingTroubleshooting if yours goes offline.
Read guideSmart ControlsHow to Set Your Heating ScheduleGet the schedule right, smart or not.
Read guideEnergy SavingHow to Reduce Heating BillsWhere the real savings come from.
Read guideHeatingThermostat ProblemsFor a traditional thermostat fault.
Read guideEnergy SavingBoiler Efficiency GuidePair smart controls with an efficient boiler.
Read guideBrowse all Smart Controls guides, or head back to the Help & Advice Centre.
Thinking about going smart? We’ll fit it right.
Book a Gas Safe engineer to check compatibility and fit your smart thermostat, or call for honest advice on whether it’s worth it for your home. North London, upfront pricing.
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