How to Control Heating From Your Phone Without Renovating

I’ve been controlling my heating from my phone for over two years now and I can’t imagine going back. Turning on the heating before getting home, scheduling by the hour, turning it off if I forget when I leave… All from my phone, no renovation, no cables, no changing the boiler. In this article I’ll explain exactly how to do it with options from 25 euros and setup in 15 minutes.

Table of contents

How controlling heating from your phone works

The idea is simple: you replace your wall thermostat or radiator controls with smart devices that communicate via WiFi or Zigbee. You don’t touch the boiler, you don’t need to run cables, and you don’t need a plumber.

Two main approaches

You can use one or both. I use both: a wall thermostat for the boiler and smart valves on the radiators in the rooms I use most.

What boilers are compatible?

Most modern boilers (from the last 15 years) are compatible with smart thermostats. They need to have terminals for external thermostat or be OpenTherm compatible.

• Boilers with ON/OFF terminals: all compatible (most common)
• OpenTherm boilers: compatible with advanced thermostats (Tado, Netatmo)
• Old boilers without external terminals: compatible with smart TRVs

Pro-tip: Before buying, take a photo of your current thermostat and boiler. Send it to the smart thermostat manufacturer and they’ll confirm compatibility. Almost all offer this service for free.

Option 1: WiFi wall thermostat (easiest)

Replacing the wall thermostat is the most direct way to control heating from your phone. You simply disconnect the wiring from the old thermostat and connect the new one.

Best thermostats without renovation

How to install a WiFi thermostat (step by step)

1. Turn off the heating and boiler
2. Remove the old thermostat (usually has 2 wires)
3. Connect the wires to the new thermostat (same terminals, foolproof)
4. Screw the new thermostat to the wall
5. Download the app and follow setup
6. Test by turning heating on/off from your phone

Total time: 15 minutes. No special tools needed, just a screwdriver.

Schedule configuration

Once installed, set up smart schedules:

Option 2: Smart thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)

If you don’t want to touch the wall thermostat, smart TRVs are the alternative. They install directly on the radiators, replacing the thermostatic head.

Advantages over wall thermostat

• Room-by-room control
• Doesn’t affect the boiler or wiring
• You only heat the rooms you’re using
• Greater energy savings

Best smart TRVs

How to install a smart TRV

1. Close the radiator valve (turn to 0)
2. Remove the old head (usually a clamp or threaded ring)
3. Place the adapter included with the new valve
4. Snap the smart valve into place until it clicks
5. Open the radiator valve
6. Configure the app with your desired temperature

Time per radiator: 5 minutes. You’re literally swapping one piece with no tools.

Pro-tip: Start by putting smart TRVs in the rooms where you spend the most time (living room, bedroom). Other radiators can stay on the general thermostat. This maximizes savings.

How to save money with smart heating

Controlling heating from your phone isn’t just about convenience — it’s real savings.

Savings by room

Without smart TRVs, when you turn on heating, it warms the ENTIRE house. With per-room valves:

• Bedroom only at night
• Living room only when you’re home
• Kitchen only when cooking
• Empty rooms: off

Estimated savings: 20-30% on your gas bill.

Savings by geolocation

Thermostats like Tado detect when you leave home and automatically lower the heating. When you’re heading back, it turns it on so you arrive at a warm house.

Savings by scheduling

Instead of having heating on all day, you program exactly what temperature you want when. At night it drops to 18°C, in the morning it rises before you wake up.

Real savings calculation

The smart thermostat pays for itself in the first winter.

Integration with your smart home

With Google Home

“Hey Google, set the heating to 22 degrees” “Hey Google, turn off bathroom heating” “Hey Google, lower the temperature”

Google Home routines

• “Good morning”: raise heating, turn on lights, start coffee
• “Goodnight”: lower heating, turn off lights, close blinds
• “I’m leaving”: turn everything off, drop heating to 16°C

With Home Assistant (advanced users)

• Weather forecast-based automation
• Presence-based control (motion sensor + thermostat)
• Blind integration (closes blinds when heating turns on)

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Does it work with electric radiators?

Some electric radiators have terminals for external thermostat and are compatible. Plug-in radiators can be controlled with a smart plug, but it’s less precise than a dedicated thermostat.

Do I need internet for it to work?

Programmed schedules work without internet (they’re stored on the device). For remote control from outside the house, you need mobile data. If the internet goes out, the heating follows the last programmed schedule.

Is controlling heating via WiFi secure?

Yes. WiFi thermostats use standard encryption. The risk of someone remotely controlling your heating is minimal with strong passwords and updated firmware.

Does it work with underfloor heating?

Yes, but with caveats. Underfloor heating has high thermal inertia (takes hours to heat and cool). You need an underfloor-compatible thermostat like Tado or Netatmo that adjusts anticipation. Cheap generic thermostats don’t work as well.

Conclusion

Controlling your heating from your phone without renovating is one of the best investments you can make in your home. A 25-euro WiFi thermostat pays for itself in one winter with gas savings. If you want to go further, add smart TRVs per room and savings skyrocket. You don’t need a technician, you don’t need renovation, just 15 minutes and a screwdriver. Do it before next winter arrives.