If you're after some properly progressive heating controls, then try this

 

http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/new-products/honeywell-reveal-new-evohome-smartphone-controlled-zoned-heating-system.html

 

It's still very expensive for what it is, BUT, it's a properly zoned control system (none of this 'put the thermostat in the coldest part of the house' rubbish) and is a huge step in the right direction. Hopefully some of the manufacturers who put out more sensibly priced products will pick up on it and come out with their own equivalents.

Just keep your coat on for however long it takes for your heating system to get up to working temperature after you arrive home !

 

Nick

I'm getting this one installed in a week or two. I know a few people that have it and really like it but will wait and see for myself. http://www.tado.com/de-en/tech

So its been a while..... I finally have My Tado box installed. So far it works as they say it does. It's learning our routines and put the heating on a bit earlier this morning due to the weather being a bit miserable and cold so the house would be at our desired temp.

I opted for Hive for a number of reasons. Partly geeky (guilty), partly because our existing timer system doesn't fit our working patterns (only understands Monday to Friday and Saturday to Sunday; which would be fine if the missus didn't work part time and want the heating on during the day a couple of days a week) and partly because I wanted to see if it would make life easier for my elderly, partially sighted father if installed in his house.

 

So far I can say that it goes on and off as it should, and I've cut down the time the boiler is working when no-one's about.

 

It sure as hell is no use for anyone with poor eyesight. Dad's iPad's next to useless since iOS 7 came along and made it "prettier", and the Hive app is dreadful from a readability perspective.

 

Oh, and I discover that if I'd have fixed my price with BG for 2 years then it would have been free rather than £200. Hurrumph.

So its been a while..... I finally have My Tado box installed. So far it works as they say it does. It's learning our routines and put the heating on a bit earlier this morning due to the weather being a bit miserable and cold so the house would be at our desired temp.

 

So Allan, hows Tado going??

 

Your thoughts, niggles, gripes, comments would be very welcome.

 

How is the app too??  east to use, what sort of functionality has it got?

 

Has Tado saved you money?

 

Has it changed the way you use your heating?

 

Is it easy to install?

 

           

I wouldnt trust BG to tie my shoe laces; after more than ten years of arguing over a bill, they have just invented a tariff discount to wipe it out - rather than admit they were wrong.

GG, why don't you change suppliers??

As a bump to the topic of cloud based home products...

B&Q have a range called nest protect. They do a smoke/carbon monoxide alarm (wired and battery) and now also a learning thermostat. The alarms can be silenced with a wave, give a warning of a possible alarm, speaks with actual voices, constantly tests itself, has a night illumination light (would save having to leave the landing light on). The learning thermostats are a small touchscreen device, really easy to use, and unlike tado can let you control things from the thermostat aswell. It doesn't know where you are at any given time, but it does learn your habits. And it's genuinely dead simple to use. £180 for the thermostat £109 per smoke alarm.

I don't work there at all.... Lol!!

As a bump to the topic of cloud based home products...

B&Q have a range called nest protect. They do a smoke/carbon monoxide alarm (wired and battery) and now also a learning thermostat. The alarms can be silenced with a wave, give a warning of a possible alarm, speaks with actual voices, constantly tests itself, has a night illumination light (would save having to leave the landing light on). The learning thermostats are a small touchscreen device, really easy to use, and unlike tado can let you control things from the thermostat aswell. It doesn't know where you are at any given time, but it does learn your habits. And it's genuinely dead simple to use. £180 for the thermostat £109 per smoke alarm.

I don't work there at all.... Lol!!

The Nest CO detector has been suspended from sale due to safety reasons.

As for Nest, looks like a cool product, but has been bought by Google recently. Many are questioning what they may do with the data they collect.

GG, why don't you change suppliers??

 

 

I had been trying for a while, but BG kept blocking it because of the disputed bill. Since I dont actually USE any gas, it wasnt a big problem - just annoying.

 

BG couldnt even get transferring me over to them done properly when I first joined them, they were offering a great discount rate if you had gas and electric, so I signed up.

 

10 years later and they still hadnt managed to take over the electric side of things!!!

 

My gas account transfer is supposed to be going through now, I was told on the phone that my account was cleared and closed last Monday - we will see!!!!

Sounds like you need to threaten them with OFGEM.  :yes:

I opted for Hive for a number of reasons. Partly geeky (guilty), partly because our existing timer system doesn't fit our working patterns (only understands Monday to Friday and Saturday to Sunday; which would be fine if the missus didn't work part time and want the heating on during the day a couple of days a week) and partly because I wanted to see if it would make life easier for my elderly, partially sighted father if installed in his house.

 

So far I can say that it goes on and off as it should, and I've cut down the time the boiler is working when no-one's about.

 

It sure as hell is no use for anyone with poor eyesight. Dad's iPad's next to useless since iOS 7 came along and made it "prettier", and the Hive app is dreadful from a readability perspective.

 

Oh, and I discover that if I'd have fixed my price with BG for 2 years then it would have been free rather than £200. Hurrumph.

The BG tariff that gives you "free" Hive is £180 pa more expensive on typical usage than their other 2015 fixed offering, but, of course, it might save you £150 pa (or it might not)............