The clue’s in the name – smart heating is the most efficient way to have complete control over your home’s central heating and energy bills. It allows you to monitor your system wherever you are. It’ll heat your home only when it needs it, rather than wasting energy unnecessarily.
Connecting your boiler to an app on your smartphone, smart heating systems allow you to create heating schedules. And depending on the one you choose, they will allow you to control the heating in each room manually.
Image credit: Wiser
A smart heating system can be as compact or as wide-reaching as you choose (or your budget allows). It can be made up of at least one smart thermostat hub and a number of radiator valves.
There are so many ways in which you can benefit from a smart heating system. And it can, in turn, also work in tandem with a wider whole smart home system.
James Clark, Technical Training Manager at Wiser agrees. ‘Warm the living room by 2°C and dim the lamps for movie night, or turn the heating down and the sound system on for when you’re working out.’
‘By controlling each device in each room to suit the moment,’ he adds, ‘you can make your home smarter, more comfortable and save energy, too.’
You can just have one smart thermostat on its own. Or you can link up a number of them together along with a whole clutch of radiator valves. As everything is connected to your home’s WiFi, many systems can even be voice controlled. So you can turn your heating up or down without budging from the sofa and just ordering Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri to do the job for you.
Image credit: Tado
Not to be confused with smart meters, which give readings of your energy usage, a smart thermostat is a far cleverer version of a bog-standard central heating thermostat.
Smart heating systems are usually made up of two devices. The main component is a wired relay that attaches to your boiler and a control hub. It will feature a display that shows your room’s temperature. This links to your system via WiFi and you can control your heating either via the hub or using an app on a smart device.
As well as adjusting the temperature in a room, you can program it to turn your heating on when you’re close to home. It does this by tracking your phone’s location. You can switch it on holiday mode when you’re away to save energy. And you can protect your pipes or have alerts set up if you’ve left the heating on and no-one’s home.
Completely independent of energy suppliers, a smart heating system won’t be affected if you choose to switch a tariff or supplier for a better deal.
Image credit: Wiser
‘Smart meters are brilliant for giving you insight into your usage,’ explains James Clark from Wiser. ‘But with the energy price cap rising, what everyone wants to know is how to get your consumption and bills down.’
‘One of the most important areas to focus on is your heating and hot water,’ says James. ‘This typically accounts for around 80% of a household’s energy usage. New technology is now coming onto the market that takes the data from your smart meter and connects it with your heating system.’
‘You can see in real-time exactly how much gas and electricity you’ve been using for heating and hot water. You can also see how much you are spending each month and even how many trees you would need to plant to offset your carbon emissions.’
‘To help manage your money, you can access heating predictions that will forecast your spend. There are also budgeting features too, which can be set to notify you when you’re nearing your preferred spend limit. If you’ve activated energy saving modes on your heating controls, you’ll be able to view the money you’ve saved for a feelgood boost.’
‘Many of us now use smart technology to control different elements of our homes, ‘ explains James, ‘whether it’s the heating, smart lighting or our electrical appliances. Chances are you will already have different schedules set for each device.
‘But this technology is getting even smarter and more personalised. With some smart home systems, you can now link up your different devices to suit not only the time of day, but exactly what you and your family are doing.’
Image credit: Netatmo
As with most smart home systems, the more devices you link up to one network, the wider control you’ll have. Smart valves are devices that you attach to your existing radiators, effectively making them ‘smart’. These link up wirelessly to your smart thermostat, giving you the option of controlling a radiator independently of the rest of your heating system.
This is particularly useful for rooms like bedrooms that don’t need to be heated all day. But you can program the heating to switch on in the evenings to warm the room before bedtime.
It all depends on how many smart home devices you have already. Wiser offers a wide array of clever smart home devices, like thermostats and valves, as well as smart plugs. If you already have a number of Google devices at home, it’s worth choosing the Google-owned Nest thermostat for super easy integration.
The same goes for the British Gas-owned Hive, which also offers smart lighting and home security systems. Netatmo‘s Philippe Starck designed thermostat and valves are a good choice for the design conscious. As is the minimal look of the Tado thermostat too.
Expect to pay between £150 and £180 for a smart thermostat. Depending on the system you choose, you can either install the it yourself, or the company will do it for you for a fee. Valves will set you back a further £40-50 each.
The post Smart heating – what is it and how does it work? appeared first on Ideal Home.
Make the most of your outdoor space with clever patio cover ideas that will extend its use all season long. Whether you have a small patio, a compact deck or a large, spacious terrace, by providing the area with some extra shelter you can make your garden or outdoor space fully usable come rain or shine.
Patio cover ideas can range from the simple to the more elaborate. An extra-large parasol or pop-up canopy will provide shade in a small garden space – and can be tucked away in a shed when not being used. Or consider a fixed structure, such as a pergola or awning if you want more permanent protection from the elements.
The last couple of summers has seen us spend more time in our outdoor spaces than ever before, improving and investing in our patio ideas and gardens, so that they’ve become an extension of our homes. Adding extra shade coverage against the sun (or shelter from the rain) helps maximise the time we spend in our gardens, so they can be in use for longer than just the summer season.
‘Government guidelines advise that the safest outdoor shelters have at least 50% of their walls open,’ says Ginevra Benedetti, Ideal Home’s Deputy Editor, ‘so if in doubt, use this as a guide to ensure a well-ventilated, yet safe from the elements, outdoor shelter.’
Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson
Make your outdoor space more usable by installing a wooden pergola to provide coverage for a patio seating area. A timber structure will provide shade from the sun and shelter from wind and with climbing plants trained to grow over it, the extra greenery will provide additional coverage as time goes on.
Add wow by painting a timber pergola dark grey or black. Dark colours will stand out against greenery and foliage and will make a seating area more of a focal point. Treating wood will also help to protect it against the elements for a longer-lasting finish.
Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole
To provide garden shade and shelter over a larger area, consider extending the size of a pergola so that it gives coverage over the entire patio area. A simple wooden pergola combined with lush greenery helps to enclose the space and create extra privacy if a garden is overlooked.
Using an overhead structure can also be a clever device that helps to break down a large outdoor space into smaller, more intimate zones – say for cooking, dining and relaxing. Suspending outdoor lighting and hanging greenery from the overhead timbers creates a natural divide that breaks the space up visually.
Image credit: Future PLC/Nick Pope
For a simple, fuss-free way of providing patio shade ideas, opt for an easy-up garden parasol. Choose a design that will complement the size and shape of your garden table – square or circular – making sure that it is large enough to provide shade for everyone seated.
Pole height should be tall enough so that people won’t have to stoop to sit under it, while a cantilevered design with a side pole won’t obstruct the view across the table and can be used independently of the table, although it will require a heavier base to keep it steady.
Image credit: Future PLC/Marianne Majerus
Give a patio pergola extra coverage by training climbing plants to grow over it. Opt for fast-growing climbers that will establish themselves quickly and provide coverage in as little as two years.
A rambling rose, is the ideal choice for growing over a pergola. It will usually flowers once a year to provide a blanket of coverage, bursting with colour and sweet fragrance. Alternatively for a no-fuss plant which does not require pruning, Virginia Creeper is ideal. This flowering vine grows quickly, and provides a brilliant splash of colour. Wisteria is another winning choice for a pergola.
Image credit: Future PLC/Alasdair McIntosh
If you’re planting up a patio area from scratch, it’s always worth factoring in a few shady areas with taller plants and trees strategically dotted around the space to provide shade from the sun at different times of the day.
Adding shade to an existing patio is easy to do using large potted plants or small patio trees that can be positioned to provide shade in areas where it’s lacking. Wheeled planters are a great option on paved patios, allowing plants to be moved around when they are in and out of flower, or shifted to provide extra shade in sunny spots.
Image credit: Hillarys
Provide shelter where you need it most, with a retractable awning that can be installed on the side of a property to give cover for a patio or courtyard. A brilliant option for spaces where a permanent covering isn’t required, at the press of a button it can be zapped in or out, providing instant shade when the sun is at its hottest, or tucked away out of sight when shelter isn’t needed.
A retractable awning like this one is controlled via a handy remote, with added extras that include integrated electric heaters and neat lighting strips that will illuminate the patio area after dark. Clever built-in vibration sensors will automatically retract the awning in windy weather.
Image credit: Thomas Sanderson
For larger patios and terraces, an outdoor awning offers more substantial coverage than a standard-sized garden parasol. Choosing a design that suits the style of the property and the look of the garden is a must as it will be in use and on view for many years.
‘Awnings come in a variety of fabrics which allow you to find the colour, pattern and texture that’s right for you,’ says Lisa Slack, Head of Product at Thomas Sanderson. ‘So it’s worth thinking about what you like. Do you want a colour that matches your interior décor so your patio feels like an extension of your home? Or would you prefer something different to give your outdoor space its own identity?’
‘Awning fabrics come in a variety of plains, stripes and patterns. And you can also choose from a selection of bracket colours to ensure your awning suits your window and door frames for a cohesive look,’ adds Lisa.
Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson
A covered pergola at the back of a property is the perfect spot to enjoy the outdoors while still staying undercover. Opting for clear roof panels will allow maximum light in while still providing protection from direct sunlight or heavy rainfall.
Look for panels that have built-in UV protection which will help filter out the sun’s harmful rays and prevent patio furniture from fading in harsh sunlight.
Image credit: Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd
Take advantage of a large garden to create different outdoor rooms where you can enjoy the sun, or escape from it if you’d prefer. A freestanding pergola can be installed in a spot that suits, whether that’s directly outside the house on a patio or on a paved area further along the garden.
A rotating louvred roof pergola like this one will provide shelter from the sun or rain, plus the option to open the slats fully should you want to soak up some rays. Slats are motorised for easy operation and the aluminium design means that maintenance is kept to a minimum.
Image credit: Dobbies
For a semi-permanent option that can be installed on a patio or deck at the end of a garden, consider a simple sail shade. Made from showerproof fabric, a sail shade will provide protection from the sun, shelter from wind and give an extra level of privacy if an outdoor space is overlooked.
Quick and easy to set up (and take down) sail shades are fixed in place using anchor points that are tensioned to keep it taut. They can be anchored to the side of a property, garden shed or a handily-positioned tree, or alternatively a freestanding frame or fixing poles can be used to allow a shade to be positioned away from the house if preferred.
Image credit: Cox & Cox
For a non-permanent outdoor shade that’s perfect for parties and gatherings, try an easy-up sun canopy that makes a roomier and more elegant alternative to the average garden parasol.
Easily erected on grass or soft ground, its central pole goes up much like a standard umbrella or parasol, but the fabric side panels in each corner create extra coverage so it feels more like a mini gazebo. Striped fabric and natty fringing add a jaunty, nautical touch.
Image credit: Cuckooland
If outdoor space is tight and a patio shade just outside the house isn’t an option, then go further into the garden and create a shady, secluded spot where space allows.
This ready-made compact booth seats four people (or six at a squeeze) and makes the ideal spot to sit and have a quick cuppa or a bite to eat with friends. A timber frame helps any garden structure blend in with trees and greenery. While a stainless steel roof reflects heat so it won’t get hot and stuffy inside. This booth comes complete with built-in table, benches and cushions.
Image credit: Benjamin Moore
Set up table and chairs in a shady area so you can escape the heat of the sun when it’s at its hottest. Encouraging trailing plants such as wisteria, honeysuckle and clematis to spread up and over a pergola will provide extra coverage. All while creating a heady fragrance that can be enjoyed both indoors and out.
Climbing plant ideas near the base of each wooden pillar, angled towards the support using small canes to help bridge the gap. To cover the canopy quickly, train the shoots straight up the posts, using vertical wires or wire mesh as supports if necessary. Tie in new shoots to the cross beams and laterals as the plant grows.
Image credit: Lights4fun
Extend time outdoors on summer evenings by lighting up the patio with festoons and fairy lights. A timber pergola or outdoor shade makes the perfect place to drape strings of lights, creating an illuminated canopy that will make the space look magical after dark.
Use hooks to secure lights at each corner of a pergola, suspending strings diagonally in a criss-cross formation. Or alternatively, use single strings on each vertical to provide extra illumination for summer dining or evening parties outdoors.
Image credit: Dobbies
If a full-sized shelter isn’t an option, downsize and create a shaded garden seat with space for just one or two. A garden arbour makes a charming addition to a patio area or can be positioned further down the garden to create a feature focal point or nestled in amongst greenery as a garden hideaway.
There are many different types of patio covers to protect the area from the elements, ensuring it’s useable come rain or shine. Patio cover ideas can range from the simple to the more robust. An extra-large parasol or pop-up canopy will provide coverage in a small space – and can be stored away when not in use. While a fixed structure, such as a pergola or awning, provides a more permanent protection from the elements.
A cheap, yet effective way to cover a patio is with a parasol or simple awning – both of which are functional yet moveable.
The post Patio cover ideas – 15 ways to keep your outdoor space sheltered appeared first on Ideal Home.
You can’t move these days without having some sort of smart tech waved in your face, like smart lighting. But if you’re thinking of trying some out, you can’t go wrong starting with smart home security.
This branch of smart home tech features products that allow you to monitor your home inside and out. It’ll also alert you (or the emergency services) should anything untoward happen.
‘With smartphone functionality,’ explains Kevin Spencer, Product Manager at Yale UK, ‘smart security gadgets offer complete freedom to monitor, control and capture live footage of inside and outside of your home wherever, whenever. In short, smart security products have all the benefits of traditional security systems, alongside the benefit of convenience and peace of mind.’
Image credit: Yale
In the world of smart security for your home, there’s a wide range of gadgets and gizmos to choose from. The most popular include the best video doorbells and cameras. And there are even personal delivery lockers that you install at your front door to keep your deliveries safe. There’s also the option to choose between wired or wireless devices. Wireless devices are great as you won’t don’t need to worry about recharging a battery. While battery powered versions are an ideal choice for renters who might wish to take their tech with them when they move on.
‘Although “smart” by nature,’ explains Kevin from Yale UK, ‘smart security gadgets work simply through a Wi-Fi or wireless connection via a smartphone or tablet. This ensures complete flexibility over how to secure or monitor your home. This smart technology allows for the ultimate control, through instant notifications directly through to a smartphone.’
‘This flexibility,’ continues Kevin, ‘allows homeowners to remotely monitor their property whatever the time, wherever the location. This also means homeowners can rely on their own diligence to protect their home. And not relying on neighbours or passers-by to notify you of any unusual activity in or around your home.’
Image credit: Ring
If you’re not sure which device to start your smart security set up with, probably the easiest and most practical is a video doorbell. Having the freedom to answer your door and see and speak to callers via your smartphone is a huge bonus when you’re not home. As for your home’s exterior, the best security cameras bulk up the security around your home and give you eyes on your property and boundaries. Some cameras have built-in security floodlights that switch on when the motion sensors are activated, deterring intruders.
The more expansive systems can trigger a loud siren if they detect someone trying to break in. Others can even call the police on your behalf. Indoor cameras give you the ability to monitor rooms in your home, your pets’ behaviour and even troublesome teens. They give you a bird’s eye view of your home’s interior, so you can keep tabs on your family’s comings and goings. Many of the latest models now come with lens covers, too. This affords you added privacy, so you can block the camera without having to turn it off completely.
Image credit: Netatmo
‘With smartphones and their associated apps seamlessly blending into our day to day lives,’ says Kevin, ‘it’s become an essential part of the smart security market that these gadgets work together as part of a wider ecosystem to make it even more convenient for homeowners.’
So if it’s convenience you’re after, look for security packages that offer a selection of products together. Bulk buying like this is usually rewarded with discounts too, compared to buying devices separately. Bundles vary in size from a simple entry level-worthy two cameras to the semi-professional. These could include the best home security system, cameras, entry and motion sensors and even a panic button.
Image credit: Google Nest
Linking your security devices up to a smart home network means you can then control them all via your smart speaker. Google Nest and the Amazon-owned Ring products are obvious choices, but most devices will have the capability to connect to Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant.
‘Yale’s Sync Smart Home Alarm range has been developed to work conveniently with other smart security products in the Yale range,’ explains Kevin, ‘but also to work with brand partners in the smart space. This includes leading voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Not only does this allow controlling your smart alarm much easier, but this functionality also offers the ultimate convenience to control your smart security products using just your voice.
Image credit: Simplisafe
For ease of use, aim to buy all of your security devices from one company. Being able to access everything via one app will make your life so much easier. It’ll also be lot less confusing than having to toggle between multiple apps all the time. Do your research before you buy if you know the kind of devices you’re interested in, ideally choosing the brand that offers everything you’re looking for.
Bear in mind that most smart security companies save the best features for those that sign up to a subscription service, with the most useful being video playback. Expect to pay from around £2.50 per month. Trusted brands include the aforementioned Yale, Google Nest, and Ring, as well as Arlo, Simplisafe, Swann, Hive, Netatmo, Ezviz, Somfy and TP-Link, to name a few.
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