I’ve just installed a Tado Smart Thermostat unit to replace the thermostat in my home heating system. This remarkable device takes over all the duties normally performed by the standard thermostat and the central heating timer in order to provide dramatic energy savings (Tado claims up to 31% reduction in heating costs). You get a nice touch sensitive device to replace the thermostat, which runs from AAA batteries. This performs the boiler control. You also receive a wireless sender to connect to your router and therefore the internet, linking with the Smart Thermostat via its own wireless connection. The kit is beautifully packaged and you follow an online process whereby your brand and model of boiler, timer and thermostat lead to customised installation instructions. Once you have finished and got everything installed (the website will provide verification that it can see your system), you’re ready to set some preferences, such as wake-up time, sleep time, differences for weekends etc.

Now here is where it gets really clever. You install the Tado app into each family member’s smartphone – there are apps for Windows Phone, iOS and Android. You’ve already registered your home address in the system and now you can verify that each family member is at home using standard phone location services. Your central heating timer can now be left set permanently on as the Tado takes over. It regulates the temperature for daytime (Home) and night-time (Sleep), but it also detects when all family members are away from home and drops the temperature to provide energy savings. It even looks at the weather forecast in order to assist with its predictions. As one of you approaches home, it brings up the temperature so that the home is warm by the time you arrive, depending on how cold it is outside. There are various preferences you can set in order to do that. You can also override it from the website, the phone apps or the Smart Thermostat itself. The beauty of the system is when you pop out shopping, or go away for the weekend, or are late home from work, it compensates. You no longer need to remember to change the settings as Tado does it all for you, saving energy whenever you are away from home. Brilliant!