Is a smart thermostat worth it?

Heating · Updated 18 October 2026 · Prices for 1 October to 31 December 2026

A smart thermostat doesn't make your boiler more efficient. It saves money by stopping you heating an empty house and making it easy to run the heating a little cooler. Whether it's worth it depends on how well you already control your heating.

Worked example

A typical UK home uses around 11,500kWh of gas a year. At 7.97p/kWh that's about £916.55 of gas (plus standing charges). If most of that goes on heating and a smart thermostat helps you cut usage by:

• 5% → saves about £45.83 a year
• 10% → saves about £91.66 a year

So a thermostat costing £150–£250 installed would typically pay for itself in two to four years, sooner in a larger home or if your current setup is an old dial with no timer.

Who benefits most

• Homes with only a basic dial thermostat and no timer
• People with irregular schedules, where geofencing (switching off when everyone leaves) helps
• Larger or draughty homes with high gas use

Who benefits least: if you already use a programmable timer well and are home most of the day, savings will be small.

Features worth paying for

• Smart radiator valves (TRVs) for room-by-room control, often the biggest saving.
• Geofencing to turn heating down when the house is empty.
• Hot water control if you have a system or regular boiler with a cylinder.
• OpenTherm / load compensation so a compatible boiler runs at lower, more efficient temperatures.

Check compatibility with your boiler before buying. Most manufacturers have an online checker.

What to buy: our picks by need

We recommend types of product based on running costs and features, not specific brands we have tested.