THE WORK
What the job involves
Smart thermostats fitted and configured, including pairing to the boiler and setting up schedules. Listed among our Checkatrade skills and fitted alongside installations or as a standalone job.
What's included
Wired and paired to your boiler
Schedules set up before we leave
Works with common smart thermostat brands
Shown how to use it properly
What a smart thermostat does that a timer does not
Most of the saving does not come from turning the heating on from your phone.
Load compensation. A thermostat wired over OpenTherm talks to the boiler and asks it to modulate its output, so instead of firing flat out and switching off, the boiler runs gently and continuously. That is when a condensing boiler condenses, which is where its efficiency actually lives.
Weather compensation. An outside sensor lets the system lower the flow temperature when it is mild. A condensing boiler only condenses when its return temperature is below roughly 55 degrees, so anything that lowers flow temperature makes it more efficient.
Learning and presence. Adjusting for how long the house takes to warm, and not heating an empty house.
Room by room zoning with smart radiator valves, so bedrooms are not heated all day.
A thermostat that only switches the boiler on and off, however good the app is, is a timer with a nicer interface. If the saving matters, the question to ask is whether it supports OpenTherm and whether your boiler does.
Whether it will work with your boiler and your wiring
This is where installations go wrong, and it is worth checking before buying anything.
Boiler compatibility. Not every boiler supports OpenTherm. Some manufacturers use their own protocol instead. A modulating control on a boiler that cannot modulate gives you on and off with extra steps.
Wiring. Older systems come in several arrangements, and S plan and Y plan systems wire differently. Some smart thermostats need a permanent live at the stat, which many older back boxes do not have.
Hot water. If you have a cylinder, the control needs a channel for hot water as well as heating. Single channel controls are cheaper and will leave you unable to time the cylinder.
Wireless range and the receiver. The receiver usually sits by the boiler, and thick Victorian walls and cellars are unkind to wireless signal.
Getting the setting up right, which is where the saving is
A smart thermostat fitted and left on default settings will save very little.
The flow temperature on the boiler should be turned down as far as the radiators allow, because that is the single biggest efficiency lever in most houses. Where the radiators are generously sized, many systems will run happily at 60 degrees or below, and the room still gets to temperature. It just gets there more gently.
Thermostatic radiator valves need setting so they are not fighting the room stat, and the room stat itself needs to be somewhere sensible: not above a radiator, not in direct sun, not in the coldest hallway in the house.
A good installation ends with the installer showing you the schedule and how to change it, rather than leaving you with an app and a manual.
REVIEWS
Rated 9.86 from 483 Checkatrade reviews
Every review below is from a real Nelson Plumbing and Heating customer across Greater Manchester.
CheckatradeCommunication with the company was fantastic. Turrell came round to complete the job for us and was very professional and friendly. Would use again.
CheckatradeI had a great experience from start to finish. Communication was excellent, they always arrived on time, and I am very happy with the quality of the work. A special mention to Ryan, who was professional, friendly, and amazing with my German Shepherd.
CheckatradeGreat service from start to finish. I had inadvertently purchased the wrong replacement part, but the plumber sorted it with the minimum of fuss. He cleared everything away once the job was complete and shared some useful information for future maintenance.
CheckatradeJob completed to a high standard, operatives were prompt, polite and professional.
CheckatradePrompt answer, arranged for a plumber to visit the next morning, plumber arrived on time and carried out the work efficiently and to a great standard.
CheckatradeSuper friendly, quick response, sorting my leaking shower quickly. Thanks.
GoogleI arranged for a plumber from Nelson Plumbing and Heating to replace an isolation valve at a property in Salford. The plumber turned up on time, did a fast and professional job. Price was cheaper than the estimate. Great service and will be my go to plumber for any further work required in the Manchester area.
GoogleThey arrived promptly as arranged and both introduced themselves and interacted very well with our dog. They installed our new boiler very efficiently and professionally, giving honest advice on which services we may require in the future.
GoogleI cannot recommend Turrell highly enough. He was an absolute pleasure to deal with and professional from start to finish. He took his time to explain everything clearly, which immediately put me at ease, something that is a massive deal for me when dealing with the building trade.
GoogleReally happy with the annual boiler service provided by Tom. Turned up on time, got everything done quickly. Friendly, professional and would definitely use again.
GoogleVery happy with Nelson Plumbing. I am always a bit wary when it comes to jobs around the house, but these guys were very professional, prompt on arrival, got the job done nice and tidy and very pleasant. Would recommend, and the price was very reasonable.
GoogleFriendly and helpful service. I was really impressed with Tom who undertook diagnostic testing and then the replacement of parts on my water system in the house. Thank you for the quick turnaround and efficient service.
FAQS
Questions we get asked
Straight answers before you book. If yours is not here, pick up the phone and ask.
Call 0161 515 9977
GUIDES
Worth reading first
Questions we get asked all the time, answered properly.
SERVICE AREA
Where we work
Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Stockport, Sale and the towns around them.
MORE
Other things we do
Plumbing, heating and gas across Greater Manchester, all handled by the same team.
