The Role of Central Heating Controls in Optimising Boiler Performance

Modern gas boilers are incredibly efficient. Since 2018, under the Boiler Plus legislation, all new domestic boilers have been required to have a minimum efficiency measured in terms of the Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive.

Additionally, a lesser-discussed requirement is that all new boilers must have an installed timer and temperature controls, such as programmable thermostats.

Another requirement for new combi boilers is that they must have at least one advanced energy-saving feature, such as:

• Load compensation
• Weather compensation
• Smart controls with automation and optimisation
• Flue gas heat recovery systems

So, why is the government so insistent on installing central heating controls? And how do they optimise boiler performance?

Why Do Central Heating Controls Matter?

While some reasons that central heating controls matter, such as adjusting the temperature for comfort levels, are apparent, others are not.

There are three less obvious reasons why central heating controls matter, and they include the following:

Energy Efficiency

Even the most advanced and efficient boilers can waste energy, from overheating rooms to cycling unnecessarily. Many boilers installed in the UK are often oversized, according to a published report called “Effect of boiler oversizing on efficiency: a dynamic simulation study.”

“Simulations show that typical oversizing (Plant Size Ratio of >3) significantly increases cycling behaviour and brings an efficiency penalty of 6-9%.”

Properly installed heating controls can reduce the efficiency penalty.

Another study, “Potential energy savings achievable by zoned control of individual rooms in UK housing compared to standard central heating controls,” found that zoning, compared to standard central controls, can yield energy savings ranging from 7% to as much as 95%, depending on occupancy patterns and household composition (thermal properties).

Cost Savings

According to a study conducted by researchers at University College London, turning the thermostat by 1°C could save an average household around £130 annually on its energy bill.

Another source, the Energy Saving Trust, found that installing and correctly using heating controls can save a household up to £75–£150 annually on their bills.

By maintaining steady temperatures with the help of control timers and avoiding unnecessary boiler cycling, homeowners can save noticeably on heating bills.

Carbon Reduction

Smart heating controls can reduce fuel consumption and, consequently, lower carbon emissions, as heating accounts for a substantial portion of global emissions.

Globally, heating and cooling technologies are responsible for about 15% of carbon emissions, and building operations (for space and water heating) account for up to 28%.

This reduction of carbon dioxide emissions aligns nicely with the UK’s goal of Net Zero by 2050.

When you combine all the above positives associated with central heating controls, we can look forward to homes that are:

• More efficient and cheaper to run
• Financial benefits for homeowners
• And reduced carbon footprint.

All these benefits come without sacrificing home comfort.

There are multiple types of central heating controls available; understanding what each one does can help you decide whether it is worth installing one in your home.

What Types Of Central Heating Controls Are There?

There are four main central heating controls, which all assist with making your home’s heating system and boiler more efficient, and they include the following:

Thermostats

Your home’s thermostat is a device that controls the temperature of your heating system by automatically switching heating or cooling systems on or off to maintain a set comfort level.

Each one of the following thermostats achieves this functionality in the following ways:

Room Thermostats

A room thermostat measures the air temperature surrounding it and compares it to the preset temperature. When the room is colder than the preset temperature, it sends a signal to the boiler to heat up.

Once the desired temperature is reached, the thermostat sends another signal to switch off the boiler.

Usually, the defining key details of a room thermostat are that it is installed in a hallway, living room, or central space. It’s also identifiable by its simple dial or digital temperature interface.

These thermostats work best when paired with thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) for precise temperature control in individual rooms.

Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats are typically set to turn on and off at a specific time, in addition to a manual temperature control dial.

These types of thermostats allow households to set different heating times daily to match their movements and habits.

Notable features of a programmable thermostat are the ability to set the temperature at a “setback” level (slightly cooler but not entirely off), which allows you to avoid the expense of reheating a cold home.

Smart Thermostats

As you might have guessed, there are now smart thermostats that allow you to connect them to Wi-Fi. This means you can control the thermostat through apps, voice assistants (such as Alexa, Google, and Siri), or smart home hubs.

Many models use algorithms to “learn” user behaviour: e.g., detecting when you’re home, tracking preferred temperatures, or using geofencing to pre-heat before you arrive.

Additionally, smart thermostats can communicate with other devices, allowing for some integration with weather data and enabling them to adjust heating according to outside temperature changes without requiring manual intervention.

According to ENERGY STAR, certified smart thermostats can save users approximately 8% on their heating and cooling bills.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)

Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) are small devices that fit onto individual radiators, regulating the amount of hot water flowing into each radiator based on the room’s temperature.

According to test results independently carried out by the University of Salford concluded that,

“Given that the average UK outside temperature during the heating season is 7.6 °C, it is concluded that the average energy-saving potential for TRVs in homes is 18% of the heating costs.”

There are now smart thermostatic radiator valves available to the UK public that allow users to tweak their TRVs to ensure that the heating system is running as efficiently as possible.

Load And Weather Compensation Controls

By working in conjunction with other sensors, these heating controls enable your boiler to run at peak efficiency by adjusting to changing outside conditions.

These systems include:

Load Compensation

Load compensation is a clever feature that monitors the difference between your chosen room temperature and the actual one.

Instead of letting the boiler operate at full power all the time, it gently adjusts the output to match the required level.

This not only prevents the boiler from working harder than necessary, but it also keeps the returning water cooler, which is a requirement for condensing boilers to reach their maximum efficiency of over 90%.

It’s such an effective way to boost performance that it’s now a requirement under the UK’s Boiler Plus regulations (since 2018) for new combi boilers.

Weather Compensation

Weather compensation works by using a small outdoor sensor that monitors the temperature outside. When the weather is milder outdoors, the system automatically lowers the boiler’s flow temperature, preventing it from pumping out more heat than necessary.

The beauty of this is that your heating runs at a steadier, lower temperature for longer stretches of time. That means you use less fuel, avoid those uncomfortable “too hot, then too cold” swings, and your home feels more consistently comfortable.

If you’re ready to make the most of your boiler with modern central heating controls, the best step is to let the experts handle the installation.

Contact The Experts, AKA WarmZilla

WarmZilla has an extensive network of Gas Safe-registered engineers who can be at your home within 48 hours anywhere in the UK to fit everything safely, correctly, and at an affordable price.

If you’re looking for a way to start saving money, enjoy a warmer home, and know your system is working at peak efficiency, feel free to contact us directly.