Smart Home Integration: Modern Controls for Water Heating Systems

Smart technology is transforming homes across the UK, and your water heater shouldn’t be left behind. Integrating your water heating system into a smart home set-up can save you money, improve energy efficiency, and make your life a little easier.

What Should You Know About Smart Controls?

With smart controls, you can manage your water heater remotely through your smartphone or tablet. Left the house and forgot to turn off the heater? No problem. Switch it off with a tap. Got a busy household? Schedule hot water to be ready exactly when you need it. These systems give you full control, helping you avoid wasting energy when no one’s home.

The Benefits of Smart Water Heater Tech

Why consider adding a smart controller to your water heater? The right option can offer some pretty substantial benefits.

One of the biggest advantages is the potential for energy savings. Smart water heater controllers can learn your household’s water usage patterns, heating water only when it’s needed. This reduces energy consumption and lowers your bills. It’s all about being able to take control of when and how long your water heater operates.

Here’s another benefit. Some systems even provide real-time data on your energy use, so you can see exactly where you’re saving. Not only can you see the energy you’re using and understand what that costs you, but you can change your usage patterns.

Notice that the shower is running for a very long time every other morning and using a lot of electricity to reheat water? Talk to the person responsible and convince them to shorten their showers. Using a lot of hot water doing laundry? Switch to cold only or use hot water only for specific loads.

Finally, there’s also convenience. Whether it’s voice control through Alexa or syncing with your solar panels to maximise renewable energy use, smart integrations make managing your home effortless.

Note that not all controllers support all types of integrations. You’ll need to make an informed decision about the technology that you choose, but that’s half the fun. You’ll also need to make sure that the controller you buy works with your cylinder’s thermostat. Modern unvented cylinders usually have digital thermostats, but older models may have an analogue thermostat.

The goal is to connect your water heater’s thermostat directly to your home’s Wi-Fi and then use a controller to set heating schedules, turn the system on and off, and more. Some of the more popular controllers on the market include Google Nest, Hive, and Drayton Wiser to name just a few.

Upgrading to smart water heating might seem like an upfront expense, but the long-term savings, both financial and environmental, are well worth it.

Let EasyFlow Help

Upgrading to a smart controller might mean replacing your aging water heater. At EasyFlow, we can install a wide range of the UK’s most popular (and efficient) unvented cylinders from brands like Range Tribune or Heatrae Sadia. We’re also licensed to repair, replace, and maintain unvented cylinders. Contact us today to learn more about your options and how we can help.