Smart Thermostat Installation Cost
Last updated 30th November, 2024
Smart thermostats have become crucial parts of the modern home in recent years, and for good reason. In an era when we are constantly looking for ways to reduce our energy consumption for both financial and environmental reasons, smart thermostats have made that process much more efficient and accurate.
The features that smart thermostats offer, such as remote control, energy usage monitoring and integration with other smart home systems, have made the technology incredibly accessible and useful to everyone.
On average, it costs around £450 to install a smart thermostat in your home, but some factors can change the costs.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about smart thermostats, smart thermostat installation, fitting a smart thermostat and smart thermostat prices.
Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Smart Thermostat?
On average, it costs around £450 to install a smart thermostat in your home; this includes the installation labour and the device itself. However, this figure can vary based on a variety of factors.
Thermostat
The obvious thing to consider first is the type of thermostat. There are a wide range of options available, ranging from basic models to very advanced models with additional features like multi-room control and learning algorithms. Here are a few key brands:
Nest Models
Nest has two key devices in their range: the Nest Thermostat E and the Nest Learning Thermostat. The Next Thermostat E is slightly cheaper at £199, and the Nest Learning Thermostat is £219. The key differences between them are the installation and the technology within.
Firstly, the Learning Thermostat has an interactive screen that shows a variety of information from temperature to time and weather, whereas the Thermostat E only displays the temperature. Next, the Learning Thermostat can be wall-mounted or placed on a stand, while the Thermostat E can only be placed on its built-in stand.
The heat sink, which is how the thermostat connects to your home's system, is another difference between the two Nest devices. The Thermostat E is battery-powered and has a built-in sensor, whereas the Learning Thermostat connects directly to your boiler for instant data and control. The installation is another area where the two devices differ. Thermostat E is perfect for DIY installation, whereas the Learning Thermostat must be installed by a professional, as it needs to be hard-wired.
As the name suggests, the Learning Thermostat has an algorithm that learns how you like to heat your home. Instead of constantly raising and lowering the temperature, the Learning Thermostat will discover, over time, what the ideal comfort temperature is in the home and keep it there, thus keeping everyone happier and the costs lower.
Hive Models
Like Nest, Hive has two models - the Hive and the Mini. This is an incredibly simple offering as the Hive system has everything included, and it is all manageable via the Hive app or the on-device controls at £119. The Mini is much cheaper at £79, though it holds all the same, it does lack the on-device control.
The difference with Hive models is that a Hive Hub requires an additional £60 that integrates with your heating system and links the Hive device. This enables you to use all of the features either on the device or on your phone via the app.
Hive is an incredibly popular choice amongst consumers, and their longevity in this sector has provided customers with a lot of confidence in their products.
Labour and Wiring
The labour for installing a smart thermostat device ranges from around £120-£280, depending on a few factors. First, how complex the device is; second, how current your boiler is; and lastly, whether there is any existing wiring. To have a smart thermostat installed, you will need to hire a heating engineer.
Different devices will be powered either through batteries on the device or by internal wiring, similar to that of a smart video doorbell. If additional wiring is required, an electrician will be charged a cost. For more information on electrician costs, check out this article.
A point about labour costs is that they differ from region to region. For example, the cost of a tradesman in big cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham tends to be around £30-£55 per hour or £160-£250 per day whereas this is around £25-£25 in Cardiff or small towns. The reason for this is the demand for trade in these more populated areas is much higher, and therefore, the tradesman can demand more.
However, the costs associated with things like parking, fuel and materials can be much higher in these areas, along with licences and other associated costs. While unlikely to be required for the installation of a smart thermostat, some tradesmen will charge additional costs for weekend and emergency callouts.
Smart Thermostat Installation Prices
| Thermostat/Service | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hive | £79 | £179 | £144 |
| Nest | £199 | £219 | £154 |
| Wave | £180 | £180 | £180 |
| Ecobee | £130 | £200 | £165 |
| Honeywell | £135 | £210 | £170 |
| Heating Engineer Installation | £40 | £100 | £75 |
| Electrician (wiring) | £50 | £60 | £55 |
| DIY Install | £0 | £0 | £0 |
Additional Costs
The bulk of the cost comes from the device and the installation if required, but what are some other associated costs with smart thermostat installations?
Well, as we’ve mentioned, any additional wiring necessary to have power to the thermostat is crucial, so factor in any electrician costs. Smart home integration is a key part of the software and system as a whole, so you may want to purchase additional devices, such as an Amazon Echo device, which will allow you to control heating via voice control from around your home. These devices range from around £30-£300, so there is a lot of flexibility here.
Subscription services are very common in modern times, and some brands charge a monthly fee to use their apps. Additionally, some will charge a fee for increased data reports and remote capabilities outside general use. This is an ever-changing figure and ranges from as much as £3 per month to £25 per month. It would be useful to review the current subscription prices before purchasing a device to avoid any hidden surprises.
Mounting kits and adapters should also be considered when you purchase a smart thermostat. Some devices and models will need these additional kits, or if you want to mount your thermostat in another way, check out some aftermarket options available for your device.
Cost Breakdown Calculator
The total cost for installing a smart thermostat: £398
Materials
£119
Labour
£220
Subscription
£59
Labour Costs and Time Frames
Included in a quote from a heating engineer will be the installation of the smart thermostat, and will not include the thermostat itself, which you will need to purchase separately. The engineer will install the thermostat, connect it up and ensure that it is working properly before completing the job. In some cases, they may also demonstrate some simple troubleshooting functions should things go array in the future, such as how to rest the thermostat.
Of course, if the project requires additional wiring, you will need to contact an electrician separately to get this wiring installed. This will be a quote solely for new wiring and will not be directly associated with the smart thermostat or the installation of it.
Installation Steps
The steps for installing a thermostat are pretty straightforward, and here is what to expect:
- The heating engineer will first ensure that the smart thermostat is compatible with your heating system.
- The heating engineer will shut off the power to the home for safety while they remove any old thermostats and replace them with new ones.
- Once the thermostat has been mounted, the engineer will resume power to the home to check that everything is working as it should, along with connecting everything via Wi-Fi.
DIY Installation
Smart thermostats are designed to be installed by consumers in some cases. Certainly, big brands try to offer options to DIY installers to make their products more attractive to the customer. In a lot of scenarios, a DIY install is possible for battery-powered devices that connect to a boiler capable of communicating with these devices. However, in a lot of cases, you will need professional help.
Firstly, if the device is required to be connected to permanent wiring, you will need a professional to carry this out, and if the wiring doesn't already exist, you will need someone to install the wiring. The importance here is that tinkering with electrical wiring as a novice is extremely dangerous, and accidents can occur pretty often.
Not only that, but the best thing about smart thermostats is the full list of features they offer, from remote controls to full data reports, so you want to make sure they have been installed properly.
Compliance and Regulations
There are no compliance or regulatory things to be aware of with smart thermostats, but you should always check with your landlord or association if you do not own your own home before you make any permanent changes.
It is also worth noting that some utility suppliers may offer discounts when you use a smart thermostat as it helps them to see accurate data and reduces unnecessary energy consumption. For these discounts and benefits, you would need to have your smart thermostat installed at all times.
FAQs
Include a section with frequently asked questions, such as:
Next, you can save money on your heating bills by using technology and algorithms to learn your daily habits and preferences, reducing and managing the output where appropriate and ultimately reducing energy consumption. Some can even detect when a room isn't in use and cut the heating for that isolated space. According to EnergyStar, smart thermostats save homeowners around 10% per year on heating bills.
Energy usage reports can help you determine where you are consuming the most energy and give you insight into how you could reduce this. This may be something as simple as the heating being set to run while everyone is out of the house. You wouldn't have known this was happening, but with a smart thermostat, you could even get a notification when the heating kicks in.
Smart thermostats work with other smart technologies such as Amazon Echo and Dot’s. Feeling a little chilly but don’t want to get out of bed? Simply ask your smart device to turn the heating on, and you’ll be warmed up in no time.
Finding and Hiring a Professional
Finding and hiring a professional is a vital step in any project, so it’s important to approach it with care. Here are some valuable tips for selecting the right professional.
Don’t underestimate the value of personal recommendations. Often, the best way to find a reliable tradesperson is to ask friends or neighbours, especially those who have had similar work done recently. Seeing their completed projects firsthand is one of the best ways to evaluate a tradesman’s quality and expertise. Not only that, but you can also get their opinion on the smart thermostat they have chosen to help you make a decision.
Avoid settling for the first quote you receive. Instead, take the time to consult several professionals in your area to gather quotes. This not only helps ensure you’re getting a fair price, but you may also find someone who knows a lot about different types of smart thermostats and who can advise you based on your requirements.
Check out reviews and testimonials. With the internet at our fingertips, it’s easy to research potential hires. Look at reviews on platforms to see what others think of the tradesperson you’re considering. You can also find examples of their previous work, which ultimately gives you the confidence you need to hire them.
Utilise social media platforms like Facebook to discover trustworthy tradespeople, as these sites often feature authentic reviews from previous clients. The transparency of social media enhances the reliability of these reviews, giving you greater confidence in your choice.
Facebook has a feature where you can ask your friend list for suggestions on a topic or service. This is an incredibly popular feature that allows people to offer up people who have worked for them in the past and provides an open and honest forum to discuss everything relating to smart thermostats, likely prices, tips and tricks on using them and any other questions you may have for another owner of a smart thermostat.
Sources
https://www.danfoss.com/en-gb/markets/buildings-residential/dhs/part-l-building-regulations/
