Netatmo Smart Thermostat for Individual Boiler, NTH01-EN-EC

Product Information

A remote-controlled heating system with a smart thermostat has many advantages and a wireless kit like this can be the best solution for many homes looking to lower the price of running their boilers. From the app, you can override any set temperature for the period that you define. And there are two special modes that set a constant temperature until they’re turned off, or the timer you set runs out.

It’s the battery-powered thermostat that’s really attractive: this small cube (83x83mm) can either be wall-mounted or attached to a stand, so you can place it where you want or even move it around your home. Netatmo ships the thermostat with five colour “accent” strips: white, red, orange, green and blue, enabling you to match the thermostat to your decor. Netatmo Smart Thermostat – FeaturesIn this system, the Netatmo Thermostat is installed on the wall and controls your boiler through the existing electrical wires. Once the relay and thermostat are in place, setup moves to the app (Android, iOS and Windows Phone), which takes you through connecting to your wireless network (2.4GHz only) and setting up a Netatmo account, if you don’t already have one. The Netatmo Smart Thermostat comes as two components: a relay and the thermostat. Both have been designed by Stark, and they’re attractive and rather understated boxes, intended to blend into your home. Note, however, that there's no automated geofencing control, so this system isn't smart enough to, say, know when you (and family) have left home and automatically switch it off. As such, the Netatmo system isn't as 'smart' as something like Google Nest, which not only learns your patterns but follows your movements if you let it (creepy, eh?) and offers more controls.

Smart thermostats - as you might have guessed - are the more modern version of a traditional home thermostat that you might have seen in use in other homes. Smart thermostats have proven benefits for saving energy, saving on home heating bills and reducing your home energy consumption’s carbon footprint. But how exactly does a smart thermostat work? Smart thermostats: how do they work to control your home temperature level? The thermostat’s clear E Ink screen displays the current and set temperatures. Using E Ink means that this information is onscreen all of the time, using little power (the three AAA batteries should last one year). However, the display is hard to read in a dark room since it isn’t illuminated. As with the main Thermostat, the smart-looking Radiator Valves have an E Ink screen that shows the current temperature. Twist the Valve’s head, and you can increase or decrease the temperature for three hours, giving a handy boost if you’ve got one cold room. Dive into the app, and you get more control, and you can choose how long you want each temperature change to last. Switching capacity max 120 VA (4 A load @ 30 V, 1 A load @ 110 V/120 V or 0.5 A load @ 220 V/240 V) Remotely controlling your heating system can also be done directly through your radiators. Today, some radiators have embedded wireless technology so you can manage your heating even when you’re away from home.Netatmo’s Smart Thermostat is one of the best connected. Setting up HomeKit and the Apple Home app is easy, since the pairing code required pops up on the thermostat’s screen.

Also it would be remiss of my to not point out that the Netatmo system is smart, in that it can learn using what's called the Auto-Adapt function. This, says Netatmo, "uses your home’s insulation and the outdoor temperature to programme when your heat should switch on". The theory there being it can assess outdoor temperature and pre-heat ahead of schedule time depending on environmental factors, so it'll adapt through the seasons. What could be better than being able to control the temperature of your lounge, bedroom or bathroom, anywhere, at any time? Now you can, with the range of smart thermostats available today! These wireless products work with modern combi boilers and are a key part of managing the heating in your home, which is more important than ever when it comes to saving energy. Successful installation of a smart thermostatMore than ever before, with rising gas and electricity prices, being able to manage your heating remotely can help you avoid high energy bills. Beyond the financial aspect, there’s also an ecological aspect, because a house that’s not overheated is a house that emits less CO2! In addition, there are two special modes: Away and Frost-Guard. Both set a constant temperature until you switch them off. Away is set to 12C by default and should be used when you’re out, but want to stop your house from getting too cold. Frost-Guard is set to 7C, and is for use when you’re away for longer periods. You can override the temperature setting for both modes. READ NEXT: What is SmartThings? Samsung’s home automation system, explained Netatmo Smart Thermostat: Controls

The competition is also tough. The more expensive Tado Smart Thermostat has the same range of features, but I prefer its app, plus it has brilliant geofencing. For a more advanced, room-by-room system, the Honeywell Evohome is excellent. Verdict The first mode, Away, is set to 12°C and is used when you go out. It’s a shame that geofencing isn’t built in to do this automatically, although you can create a similar feature using the excellent IFTTT channel. The second mode, Frost-guard, sets the temperature to 7°C and is there for when you leave your home but don’t want the pipes to freeze while you’re away. An investment that soon pays off: according to ADEME, prices for programmable and/or smart thermostats range between 60 and 250 euros and buying one can save you up to 15% in energy costs**. To give you a practical example, the saving works out at about €210 per year off a €1,400 bill for running a gas boiler. Another reason to say yes to a smart thermostat! Netatmo ships the Smart Radiator Valves with plenty of adaptors in the box, so you should have no problem fitting them to your radiators. It took me a matter of minutes to fit my test valves. Netatmo Smart Thermostats are ideal for easy DIY installation! Control your energy consumption, set the perfect temperature and start saving on your home heating bills. You’ll soon start feeling the benefits, and find that the savings easily justify the price of buying and installing your new product! How much do smart thermostats cost?The Smart Thermostat uses some advanced heating algorithms, designed to save money – up to a 37% cut in energy bills – to help keep your house from getting too hot or cold. Overall the Netatmo Smart Thermostat isn't as fancy-looking (it's got an E Ink display after all) or as overall 'smart' as some of the competition (there's no geographically-based austomation features, for example). But that doesn't necessarily matter: it has no subscription model to worry about, it's easy to install, and it handles your heating with ease whether via the thermostat itself or by using the app wherever you are. For me that makes this smart heating system well worthy of consideration, and one I wouldn't have wanted to live without these last couple of years. Also consider While requiring an investment up front, smart thermostats increase your energy efficiency, allowing you to save on your home heating bills. That way, any smart thermostat you buy should soon pay for itself! Installation costs But with so many established smart thermostat systems already on the market - Nest, Hive, Tado, to name but three - does Netatmo's simpler battery-powered offering provide enough features to keep up?