Smart thermostat for combi boiler

[cliveb]

Looking for some views on various smart thermostat options. (Just for the boiler, not smart TRVs).

We have an Ideal Logic+ Combi boiler, which is working fine, but we'd like to be able to control it remotely - primarily so we can switch it on when coming back from holiday so we don't return to a cold house.
The boiler has OpenTherm modulation, so anything we get has to support that.

Ideal's own Halo system appears to be the obvious choice, except that I've seen some pretty scathing reports of its usability and reliability.

There seem to be various other options:
Hive - latest version (V4) supports OpenTherm
Nest
Drayton Wiser

Has anyone used any of these systems, and can you comment on how dependable they are?

(Hoping that @Bunkermagnet might have some experience from the coal face).

 

[chellie]

We have an old Hive. Works well for us and we use it when we are out to put the heating on.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Looking for some views on various smart thermostat options. (Just for the boiler, not smart TRVs).

We have an Ideal Logic+ Combi boiler, which is working fine, but we'd like to be able to control it remotely - primarily so we can switch it on when coming back from holiday so we don't return to a cold house.
The boiler has OpenTherm modulation, so anything we get has to support that.

Ideal's own Halo system appears to be the obvious choice, except that I've seen some pretty scathing reports of its usability and reliability.

There seem to be various other options:
Hive - latest version (V4) supports OpenTherm
Nest
Drayton Wiser

Has anyone used any of these systems, and can you comment on how dependable they are?

(Hoping that @Bunkermagnet might have some experience from the coal face).

Sorry, I'm not a plumber or do anything with gas powered or heating.
As a normal Joe, Im not into remote control of anything other than the TV or DVD player. I see it with domestic appliances, and it's just another level to cause problems and expense. Sorry

 

[clubchamp98]

We have an old Hive. Works well for us and we use it when we are out to put the heating on.

Ditto got a hive never had a problem

 

[spongebob59]

Nest works pretty well, but I believe Google are.dropping support of early thermostats and moving onto Google home instead of the nest app.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Another vote for Hive. Really simple to use, very happy with it. If it broke, we'd get another straight away.

 

[cliveb]

Thanks to everyone who has replied.

Looking like Hive might be the safe choice.

Sorry, I'm not a plumber or do anything with gas powered or heating.

Ah right - so you're a "white goods" repair man (washing machines, fridges, etc)?
Sorry to have got the wrong impression.

 

[nickjdavis]

Yep...got a Hive thermostat when we had our boiler changed last winter.

Just occasionally (three, maybe four times in the year) the Hive loses connectivity with the boiler but that is rectified in a few seconds. The app is simple to use and the essential features/functionality arent hidden behind a subscription.

 

[D-S]

We have Hive and are very happy with it. Overtime we have added quite a few plugs and lights which now is a good system. We tend to use the App for heating and thermostat changes and Alexa for lights etc. but both can be used for all.

 

[rulefan]

Another vote for Hive.
On-line, App or 'remote'.

 

[cliveb]

Yep...got a Hive thermostat when we had our boiler changed last winter.

Just occasionally (three, maybe four times in the year) the Hive loses connectivity with the boiler but that is rectified in a few seconds. The app is simple to use and the essential features/functionality arent hidden behind a subscription.

I'm a bit confused by that. The Hive receiver is hard-wired into the boiler, so how does it lose connection?
Or are you saying that the thermostat sometimes loses connection to the receiver?
And when it does, what happens? Presumably whatever heating schedule is in place fails to kick in?
How do you re-establish connection? (Please don't tell me you turn it off and on again )

(PS. Our existing PRT3 programmer, which talks to the boiler via RF, has NEVER failed).

 

[nickjdavis]

I'm a bit confused by that. The Hive receiver is hard-wired into the boiler, so how does it lose connection?
Or are you saying that the thermostat sometimes loses connection to the receiver?
And when it does, what happens? Presumably whatever heating schedule is in place fails to kick in?
How do you re-establish connection? (Please don't tell me you turn it off and on again )

(PS. Our existing PRT3 programmer, which talks to the boiler via RF, has NEVER failed).

Yes...when the thermostat loses contact with the boiler (I'm not aware of any receiver so guess it is an integral part of the boiler), whatever heating schedule is set simply doesn't happen.

To restore connection I remove the thermostat from its mounting on the wall in the hall. Place it next to the boiler in the kitchen, take a battery out and put the battery back in (effectively turning it off/on )

 

[Red scorpion]

ideal have their own called halo

 

[clubchamp98]

Yes...when the thermostat loses contact with the boiler (I'm not aware of any receiver so guess it is an integral part of the boiler), whatever heating schedule is set simply doesn't happen.

To restore connection I remove the thermostat from its mounting on the wall in the hall. Place it next to the boiler in the kitchen, take a battery out and put the battery back in (effectively turning it off/on )

We have a receiver on the wall next to the boiler. ( small white box)
It’s hard wired into the boiler.
Two green lights and a one hour override button.


The only time the light has gone red was the batteries in the thermostat had died and wasn’t sending a signal.
New batteries and it reconnected itself.

 

[cliveb]

Yes...when the thermostat loses contact with the boiler (I'm not aware of any receiver so guess it is an integral part of the boiler), whatever heating schedule is set simply doesn't happen.

To restore connection I remove the thermostat from its mounting on the wall in the hall. Place it next to the boiler in the kitchen, take a battery out and put the battery back in (effectively turning it off/on )

So basically you have to re-pair the thermostat with the system, right?

Might be an issue for me since the boiler is in the loft. But if it's only once in a blue moon guess I could cope with that.

ideal have their own called halo

Yes, I mentioned that in my original post. But I've seen some bad reviews of Halo. Have you got it? How's it performed for you?

 

[Red scorpion]

I have looked at it ,but not made the jump

 

[nickjdavis]

So basically you have to re-pair the thermostat with the system, right?

Effectively yes.

 

[rulefan]

I'm a bit confused by that. The Hive receiver is hard-wired into the boiler,

Are you sure about that?

My instructions say "to install the hub there has to be a broadband connection ...."
My hub is 1 metre from my broadband device and the receiver is 20 metres away with no source of power that I can see (other than the battery).

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Are you sure about that?

My instructions say "to install the hub there has to be a broadband connection ...."
My hub is 1 metre from my broadband device and the receiver is 20 metres away with no source of power that I can see (other than the battery).

This pretty much how mine is set up. There is a device attached to the boiler. A hub very close, 1m tops, to my router. This is plugged into the mains.

The thermostat is in the hallway, opposite side of the house, just a regular house . This is battery powered. This is the only potential weak link. If the batteries go, the system stops. Don't know why, it just does. It warns you that the batteries are getting low so just have spares available in the house. If you have spares, no worries.

We have had Hive for about 5-6 years. Apart from one battery issue, didn't have spares , it's worked seamlessly

 

[cliveb]

Are you sure about that?

My instructions say "to install the hub there has to be a broadband connection ...."
My hub is 1 metre from my broadband device and the receiver is 20 metres away with no source of power that I can see (other than the battery).

OK, here's my understanding...

There are 3 devices in the Hive system:
1. The thermostat. Battery powered, stores the heating schedule, measures the house temperature and decides what the boiler needs to do.
2. The receiver. Thermostat talks to the receiver which is hard wired to the boiler to turn it on and off (or, in OpenTherm mode, modulate it). Mains powered (typically from the boiler).
3. The hub. Connects the system to broadband (either via ethernet or WiFi) and talks to the thermostat so it can be controlled remotely over the Internet using the Hive app. Mains powered from a wall wart.

Hive is looking more and more like the best option. It's also cheaper than the others.