Despite the rising popularity of smart heating controls, Dean Jepson – European Managing Director of Salus – explains why it’s still important to offer your customers a choice of alternative controls.
Customers are becoming more involved in choosing household products than ever before, and especially when considering new heating controls. From basic thermostats and programmers to digital programmers, wireless controls, smart controls and even home-connected devices, there’s no shortage of choice. Take smart controls, the fastest growing sector in the market; recent findings from MTW suggest that 50% of consumers are likely to install smart heating products in their homes in the next five years. Smart controls offer immense appeal to those innovating and early-adopter customers who are keen to embrace new technologies and match their heating and hot water to suit their individual lifestyle. However, smart controls are not for everyone, so the more heating control options available, the better. But, whilst this is all good news for the customer, what does it mean for the installer?
A key part of your role is to advise homeowners, to be the trusted consultant, and to partner with them on how to best heat and manage their hot water, improve their energy efficiency and reduce their running costs. By recommending the right controls, you will help them achieve just that and put yourself firmly in the driving seat and in a position of trust and support. This means listening to your customer and matching products to suit their needs and lifestyle – and, of course, their budget. By introducing a broad spectrum of models and prices, you will not only help increase your opportunities to upsell, you will help boost your profitability too. Ideally, your portfolio of choice should include the following products:
Mechanical thermostats
Where a thermostat is not already fitted, it may be that these simple on/off thermostats provide the best solution for the customer. Offering improved system efficiency and reduced running costs, they will offer energy savings of up to 30%.
Programmable thermostats
Alternatively, these present another great opportunity for customers to match the control of their heating and hot water with their lifestyle. Able to switch circulating pumps, boilers and motorised valves, they set various times and temperatures during the day and even different programmes at weekends and holiday periods.
Wireless thermostats
These can be added to any system with no dust or damage to room décor and no visible cables upon installation. Wireless controls also make it possible to divide a system into zones that offer individual time and temperature controls.
Smart controls
These enable the customer to easily adapt their heating and hot water needs to suit their own behaviour and lifestyle, and reduce energy consumption at the same time –all from a single App. For owners of holiday homes, in particular, they are a huge plus, as they can control energy usage from afar. Also, as smart controls fall into the higher classifications for ErP package efficiency ratings, they will help boost the overall package rating of their installation.
Home connected devices
Led by smart heating controls, these devices are the next big thing. By integrating energy management with other home control functions, homeowners can simply touch the screen of their smartphone or tablet, no matter where they are, and control many aspects of the home including; energy management, security, lighting and audio entertainment.
Your customers have the power of choice, and technology aims to keep it that way. Delivering what they want will demonstrate that, ultimately, you’re the smart choice.
