From ease of use to efficiency-improving measures, every customer has different priorities when it comes to how they manage their heating system. Merlin Milner, Product Owner for Water-based Systems at Drayton, looks at some of the most common requests installers are asked for, and how they can provide solutions that work.
Today, installers are challenged with understanding the diverse priorities of their customers and being able to recommend suitable heating controls that can deliver tangible benefits from day one.
Improving energy efficiency
Despite Ofgem’s announcement that the energy price cap will fall to 7% as of 1st July 2025, it is still 10% higher than the same time last year. So, it is no surprise that homeowners are still looking for ways to make their homes more energy efficient to keep monthly running costs down.
Home heating and hot water accounts for such a large amount of our energy use, making it a key area in which noticeable savings can be achieved.
Today, boilers are made to be as efficient as they’ve ever been, so unless installers are replacing an old, poorly rated boiler and replacing it with one that has a better ERP rating, there is unlikely much in the way of savings to be made here. However, improving the heating controls is a relatively low-cost and easy upgrade that can make a real difference, and was found to be a more cost-efficient way of reducing carbon emissions compared to loft and cavity or wall insulation according to MACC research by Drayton.
For example, research from BEAMA found that upgrading from basic heating controls to a multi-zone system, such as Wiser, can offer savings of up to 19% on energy bills. This feature, which was requested by 50% of homeowners according to a recent survey by Drayton, allows users to split their property into zones or individual rooms, customising the temperature and schedule in each room according to their individual needs.
Alongside this, smart modes can help homeowners achieve additional savings, by enhancing the performance of the boiler. For instance, Wiser’s Eco Mode combines optimum stop and weather compensation to study the thermal properties of the home. Once this is achieved, the system will learn to switch the boiler off sooner than scheduled, whilst still maintaining the set point to reduce energy consumption.
Additionally, making sure that the heating is not running when the house is empty is another way to make savings. Many smart controls have functions, such as Away Mode, that can be quickly activated to turn off the heating when the home is unoccupied instead of having to adjust your regular schedule, ideal for those with busy unpredictable lifestyles.
Wiser user data has shown that by using smart modes such as these, typically homeowners can reduce their energy usage by an average of 16%.
Comfort and convenience
When it comes to the features that are most desired by homeowners, the most common request was a heating control that can be managed via a smartphone app, which was noted by 66% of consumers.
Smart controls, such as Wiser, offer great flexibility for busy homeowners who might not always have a regular schedule. Via the app on their smartphone, the heating schedule can be changed – or smart modes, such as Away Mode, activated – from anywhere at any time, as and when their movements change.
Room to grow
In the same survey, just under a third of homeowners were looking for flexibility from their heating control system. This could be, for instance, the ability to expand the system and add more connected devices – such as smart radiator thermostats – at a later date.
Installers might find themselves faced with this request from customers who might be on a budget, those who want to start small and add to the system as they get more confident, or from those who might be planning to build an extension on the property.
Flexible solutions, such as Wiser, mean that installers can offer a solution that will meet their needs today, as well as in the future, without needing to replace the entire heating control system.
Suitable for renewables
Thanks to incentives from the government and a growing understanding of the need to live more sustainably, the installation of renewables – such as heat pumps – has increased in recent years.
For customers looking to join the renewable revolution, it is important that installers are specifying suitable heating controls to manage the system in order to optimise performance and deliver the comfort levels their customers would expect, regardless of whether it’s a fully renewable system or a hybrid system.
Today, there are solutions available, like Wiser, that are suitable for use with a wide range of heating systems, including renewable, hybrid and electric heating systems. This means that mixed heating systems can all be controlled with just one app, cutting down the number of controls you need to install and making it easier than ever for your customers to manage.
Smarter heating controls
The demand for advanced heating controls continues to rise, so it is important that installers understand the most common customer requests and are equipped with suitable solutions. Whether it’s maximising energy savings, enhancing comfort, or preparing for renewables, today’s heating controls offer a powerful opportunity to deliver tailored solutions that support customers now and into the future.
