Automated thermostats are they a gadget too far?
I’ve been a Landlord for a few years now. My hobbies include gaming and technology (can’t remember how many times I’ve been to the gadget show live!).
I’m sure you’ve all seen that automated thermostats are now rapidly becoming a “thing”, a lot of this new technology seems to be gradually getting smarter. I’ve looked at so many companies who supply these thermostats, like Hive, Nest, Honeywell, Heat Genius etc.
What I’m looking for is a fully automated heating system to trial on one of my properties. If it works out, then great I can slowly introduce it more and maybe get one for my own private property, and if it doesn’t then oh well, it’s not the end of the world!
The closest I’ve seen to a fully automated system is the Heat Genius. It’s not completely automated but it can do things like learn a users heating behaviour, and also it uses weather data to turn rooms on later on warmer days.
But anyway, the main selling point for me is that all thermostats allow the user to control their heating remotely through the internet.
What do you think? Would you see yourselves using devices like these now or even in the future sometime? Are there any Landlords that currently use an automated thermostat? Would love to hear what everyone thinks!
Cheers,
Ammaar
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Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3453 - Articles: 286
3:01 PM, 2nd September 2015, About 11 years ago
Hi Ammaar,
Would it not make sense to trial one on your own property first as any problems would then be much easier to sort out?
Member Since April 2015 - Comments: 7
6:30 PM, 2nd September 2015, About 11 years ago
Heat genius is excellent
Perfect for tenants – recommend it
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 58
11:12 AM, 3rd September 2015, About 11 years ago
Personally I think the simpler the better when it comes to tenants.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 648
11:20 AM, 3rd September 2015, About 11 years ago
I’ve never really understood this degree of control. Houses in the UK are so tiny that they are essentially one space and who bothers to shut internal doors most of the time?
Member Since July 2015 - Comments: 167
11:22 AM, 3rd September 2015, About 11 years ago
I agree with Barbara and Neil. Keep it simple for tenants but by all means trial it on your own place. I find most tenants struggle programming the timer on the central heating (and mine are mostly young professionals).
Member Since September 2013 - Comments: 62
3:29 PM, 3rd September 2015, About 11 years ago
Hi Ammaar, Do I take it that you rent out your properties inclusive of utility costs? If not why on earth would you want to spend money putting in a system that will not save you any money, is less reliable and more confusing for your tenants??
Member Since February 2014 - Comments: 35
7:34 PM, 3rd September 2015, About 11 years ago
Totally agree with Mike. Why waste money if you don’t need to? & also agree with Barbara keep it simple for tenants & yourself! Don’t create problems for yourself?
Member Since August 2015 - Comments: 5
8:30 AM, 4th September 2015, About 11 years ago
I have a Honeywell Evo Home setup in my house, it was far from cheap but very useful in an old poorly insulated property. However in any more modern house it would be cheaper to fit normal thermostatic radiator valves, which they tenants could use to help them save money. Automated valves need their batteries replaced every year which would no doubt lead to damage to the devices or phone calls to say that have stopped working. Unless you think installing these is going to greatly increase your monthly rent I would put the money aside for other things.