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Most London homes depend on central heating every day, especially during those damp, grey months. Yet many homeowners don’t fully grasp how their heating controls actually work. You might fiddle with the dial, hope for the best, and end up with rooms that are either too cold or uncomfortably warm. This guide breaks down the main types of heating controls, explains what each one does, and shows you how to use them properly. The result? A warmer home and lower energy bills.
Central heating controls are the devices that manage when your heating comes on and how warm your home gets. They include thermostats, timers, programmers, and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs).
Their job is straightforward: regulate temperature and timing so your system runs efficiently. No wasted energy heating an empty house at 2 PM on a Tuesday, and no frozen mornings because the timer’s stuck on summer settings.
Modern systems often combine several types of controls. A room thermostat might work alongside TRVs and a programmer, giving you precise control over different rooms at different times. If you’re setting up a new system or want to optimise what you have, professional heating & gas services can assess your needs and recommend the right combination.
Good heating controls stop you from wasting money. Simple as that.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, fitting and properly using heating controls can save up to £150 a year on energy bills. That’s not pocket change, especially when energy prices keep climbing.
Beyond the financial benefit, proper controls reduce strain on your boiler. When your system isn’t working overtime to maintain unrealistic temperatures or firing up at odd hours, it lasts longer. Ofgem notes that well-maintained, properly controlled heating systems experience fewer breakdowns and need replacing less often.
You also get consistent comfort. No more waking up shivering because the heating didn’t come on, or sweating through January evenings because you can’t work out how to turn it down.
Room thermostat
Your room thermostat measures air temperature and tells the boiler when to fire up or switch off. Most sit in hallways or living rooms, away from direct sunlight, draughts, or radiators (which would give false readings).
Set it between 18–21 °C for comfort without waste. The World Health Organisation recommends 18 °C as a healthy minimum, whilst 21 °C suits most people during waking hours.
One important tip: don’t place your thermostat near windows, external doors, or above radiators. These spots create misleading readings, so your system either overheats the house or leaves you cold.
Programmer or timer
A programmer controls when your heating switches on and off. You set it to match your daily routine—warmth before you wake up, off whilst you’re at work, back on before you return home.
Basic models offer simple on/off periods. Newer digital programmers let you set different schedules for weekdays and weekends. Smart programmers go further, learning your habits and adjusting automatically based on weather forecasts or whether you’re home.
Get this right and you’ll never waste money heating an empty house again.
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)
TRVs fit onto individual radiators and let you control temperature room by room. They’re marked with numbers (usually 1–5 or 1–6), with 3 typically meaning around 20 °C.
Why does this matter? Because you don’t need your spare bedroom at 21 °C if nobody’s using it. Turn down radiators in less-used rooms and your boiler works less hard whilst occupied spaces stay comfortable.
TRVs particularly help in larger homes or properties with multiple floors. You can keep bedrooms cooler for sleeping whilst maintaining warmth downstairs.
Smart heating controls
Smart controls connect to your Wi-Fi and let you adjust heating from your phone, tablet, or voice assistant. Brands like Hive and Nest offer app-based systems that track energy use, learn your preferences, and can be controlled remotely.
The advantages? Change settings from anywhere, get detailed data on your energy consumption, and let the system adapt to your lifestyle without manual reprogramming.
The drawbacks? They need reliable Wi-Fi, initial setup takes time (or an engineer’s help), and they cost more upfront than traditional controls.
Are they worth it? If you have irregular schedules or want granular control over your heating, probably yes. If you’re happy with a standard programmer and don’t need remote access, you might not see much benefit.
Quick comparison: manual vs smart heating controls
| Control Type | Typical Cost Range | Key Benefit | Best For |
| Manual thermostat | £25–£50 | Simple, reliable | Older systems or basic setups |
| Digital programmer | £50–£100 | Custom schedules | Households with fixed routines |
| TRVs | £15–£30 each | Room-by-room control | Flats or multi-room homes |
| Smart thermostat (e.g. Hive/Nest) | £150–£250 | Remote access, energy tracking | Tech-savvy users or frequent travellers |
(Table data compiled from manufacturer pricing across Hive, Nest, and Vaillant UK.)
Heating controls fail or drift out of calibration over time. Watch for these signs:
- Rooms feel too hot or cold despite thermostat settings
- Heating comes on at unexpected times or not at all
- Thermostat display is blank or unresponsive
- TRVs are stuck and won’t turn
- Timer settings reset themselves
Before calling an engineer, check a few basics: Are batteries fresh in wireless thermostats? Is the programmer displaying the correct time? Have TRVs been accidentally knocked to zero?
If these quick checks don’t solve it, contact a qualified heating professional. Faulty controls can waste serious money and leave you uncomfortable. Our heating & gas services teams can diagnose issues quickly and get your system running properly again.
Old dial thermostats and basic timers work, but they’re inefficient compared to modern alternatives. If your controls are more than 10–15 years old, upgrading will likely pay for itself through energy savings.
Even homes with functioning systems benefit from adding TRVs to radiators that don’t have them, or replacing mechanical timers with digital programmers. These changes improve comfort and cut waste without requiring a full system overhaul.
Smart controls suit households with varying schedules, second-home owners, or anyone who wants detailed control and data. They’re particularly good if you often forget to adjust heating before going away.
Worried about compatibility? Most modern controls work with standard boilers, but older or unusual systems might need specific models. A heating engineer can assess your boiler and recommend compatible options. Professional installation means everything’s set up correctly from day one.
Small adjustments make a bigger difference than you’d expect.
- Adjust timers seasonally. Your September schedule won’t suit February. Review settings every few months and tweak heating times as daylight and weather change.
- Lower settings slightly overnight or when away. Dropping the thermostat by just 1 °C can cut heating bills by around 10%. You probably won’t notice the difference under the duvet, but your energy bill will.
- Keep thermostats free from obstructions. Don’t place furniture, curtains, or radiator covers where they block airflow to your thermostat. It needs to measure room temperature accurately.
- Include controls in annual boiler servicing. When an engineer services your boiler, ask them to check controls too. They’ll spot calibration issues, failing batteries, or worn TRVs before they cause problems.
Regular heating maintenance and boiler service keeps your whole system running smoothly. Book annually, preferably before winter hits.
Understanding your heating controls takes the guesswork out of staying comfortable. You’ll stop wasting energy heating empty rooms or compensating for poor timing, and your boiler will last longer with less strain.
Take a few minutes to review your current setup. Are your controls doing what you need? Could small changes—repositioning a thermostat, adding TRVs, updating a timer—improve things?
If you’re unsure what would help most, speak to trusted local heating experts. They’ll assess your system, explain your options, and make recommendations based on your home and budget. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.
when the heating operates (morning, evening, weekends). You need both: the programmer sets the schedule, the thermostat maintains the temperature during those periods.