This comprehensive review delves into the Wiser 2nd generation smart home heating system, examining its capabilities and effectiveness in delivering energy savings and enhanced comfort. We explore its core features, including the central hub, room thermostat, and extensive range of compatible smart devices, assessing their integration and ease of use. From multi-room temperature control to advanced automation and voice integration, we evaluate Wiser's performance across various aspects of smart home functionality.This review will analyze Wiser's compatibility with different heating systems, its intuitive app interface, and the sophisticated energy monitoring tools it offers. We will consider the overall user experience, including installation and setup, as well as the long-term value proposition considering both the initial investment and potential cost savings. Ultimately, this assessment will help you determine if the Wiser 2nd generation system is the right smart home heating solution for your needs.
Pros And Cons
- Provides a smart home solution.
- Can control combi boilers, heating systems with stored hot water, and properties with existing central heating zones.
- Offers solutions for a range of heating systems, heat sources, and applications.
- Can save up to 30% on energy usage.
- Simple to install radiator thermostats.
- Allows heating of rooms only when in use.
- Can control water-based underfloor heating systems and electrical heating.
- Offers a range of battery-powered devices for a smart home.
- Devices are installed in minutes.
- Contributes to a smarter, safer home environment.
- Can be controlled via the Wiser Home app, allowing for scheduling, moments, and automations.
- Provides real-time view of device status and allows for heating boosts.
- Offers detailed control options.
- Can learn the thermal characteristics of rooms and improve heating efficiency with smart mode and away mode.
- Can be linked with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
- Allows monitoring of energy consumption and provides insights into energy savings.
Read more: AMI Meter Reading Guide: Understanding Your Smart Electricity Meter
Smart Home Control and Energy Savings
The Wiser 2nd generation system offers a comprehensive solution for smart home heating control. It's designed to integrate with various heating systems, from combi boilers to underfloor heating, promising energy savings up to 30%. This is achieved through intelligent scheduling and real-time adjustments based on occupancy and thermal characteristics of individual rooms.
The system's core components include a hub and a room thermostat. Adding Wiser radiator thermostats allows for multi-room control, maximizing efficiency by heating only occupied spaces. This granular control contributes significantly to the overall energy savings.
Compatibility and Expandability
Wiser boasts exceptional compatibility. It handles diverse heating sources, including combi boilers, central heating zones, underfloor heating (using the Wiser underfloor heating controller), and electrical heating (using the Wiser electrical heat switch). This adaptability makes it suitable for a wide range of homes.
Expanding functionality is effortless with various battery-powered devices. These include temperature/humidity sensors, window/door sensors, motion/light sensors, and a smoke alarm for enhanced safety and home automation.
App Control and Smart Features
The Wiser Home app provides intuitive control over all connected devices. It gives a real-time overview of the system’s status and offers easy adjustments, such as boosting heating with a single tap. Deeper control is available through individual room screens, where you manage schedules and set points.
Smart features extend beyond basic scheduling. Automations allow for coordinated actions between devices (e.g., turning on a smart plug when motion is detected). 'Moments' let you group commands for seamless control, and 'smart mode' learns room thermal characteristics for optimized heating efficiency.
Voice Control and Energy Monitoring
Wiser integrates seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, providing hands-free voice control. Beyond controlling heating, the app provides detailed energy monitoring via its 'Insights' feature.
This allows you to track energy consumption by various loads, understand your savings from smart modes, and even view tariff data (with a compatible smart meter and Insights Plus upgrade). The 'Heat Report' provides valuable insights into the thermal performance of each room, further refining heating adjustments.
Conclusion: Is Wiser Worth It?
The Wiser 2nd generation system offers a compelling combination of advanced features, wide compatibility, and user-friendly control. Its potential for significant energy savings (up to 30%), coupled with its detailed energy monitoring tools, makes a strong case for its value.
While the initial investment might seem significant, the long-term savings and enhanced comfort justify the cost for many homeowners. The system's flexibility and extensive range of compatible devices allow for customization to suit individual needs and preferences, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a truly smart and energy-efficient home.