Optimal thermal comfort thanks to the features offered by the Netatmo Smart Thermostat, such as Auto-Adapt, which works out when to turn on your heating by taking account of your home’s insulation as well as the outside temperature.

The thermostat’s clear E Ink screen displays the current and set temperatures. Using E Ink means that this information is onscreen all of the time, using little power (the three AAA batteries should last one year). However, the display is hard to read in a dark room since it isn’t illuminated.

In this system, the Netatmo Thermostat is installed on the wall and controls your boiler through the existing electrical wires.

A radiator valve is actually a part of something called a thermostatically controlled valve. It’s a product that lets you control the heat of each radiator precisely. The second option is to wire the relay into the boiler via the bundled boiler connector kit. In this mode, the relay takes power from the boiler and uses its own relay to switch your heating on and off. The thermostat unit becomes completely wireless and communicates directly with the relay. Given that the relay has to be physically connected to your boiler using mains power, you may want to get this installed by a professional . In addition, there are two special modes: Away and Frost-Guard. Both set a constant temperature until you switch them off. Away is set to 12C by default and should be used when you’re out, but want to stop your house from getting too cold. Frost-Guard is set to 7C, and is for use when you’re away for longer periods. You can override the temperature setting for both modes. Switching capacity max 120 VA (4 A load @ 30 V, 1 A load @ 110 V/120 V or 0.5 A load @ 220 V/240 V)

Also it would be remiss of my to not point out that the Netatmo system is smart, in that it can learn using what's called the Auto-Adapt function. This, says Netatmo, "uses your home’s insulation and the outdoor temperature to programme when your heat should switch on". The theory there being it can assess outdoor temperature and pre-heat ahead of schedule time depending on environmental factors, so it'll adapt through the seasons. It’s the battery-powered thermostat that’s really attractive: this small cube (83x83mm) can either be wall-mounted or attached to a stand, so you can place it where you want or even move it around your home. Netatmo ships the thermostat with five colour “accent” strips: white, red, orange, green and blue, enabling you to match the thermostat to your decor. Netatmo Smart Thermostat – Features The second method is easy for a DIY enthusiast and needs no new wiring. If you have to go for the first option, you’re probably best getting a professional to install your unit, as it involves using 230V mains power. Overall the Netatmo Smart Thermostat isn't as fancy-looking (it's got an E Ink display after all) or as overall 'smart' as some of the competition (there's no geographically-based austomation features, for example). But that doesn't necessarily matter: it has no subscription model to worry about, it's easy to install, and it handles your heating with ease whether via the thermostat itself or by using the app wherever you are. For me that makes this smart heating system well worthy of consideration, and one I wouldn't have wanted to live without these last couple of years. Also consider However, to get the most out of a Nest you'll want to be part of Google's subscription model – which is an additional cost. Netatmo doesn't have additional ongoing costs, which suits me better, even if the Smart Thermostat outlay is a little pricier than Nest, Tado or Hive from the outset.