How Much Can a Smart Thermostat Really Save You?

Smart thermostat manufacturers love to quote big savings figures. But what can you realistically expect in a UK home? Let’s break down the numbers.

The Manufacturer Claims

Nest: Claims average savings of 10-12% on heating
tado°: Claims up to 31% savings
Hive: Claims average savings of £120/year

These figures come from studies, but your mileage will vary based on your home and habits.

Realistic UK Savings

Based on typical UK energy costs and usage patterns:

Average UK Heating Bill

Around £800-1,200/year for gas central heating (2026 prices)

Expected Smart Thermostat Savings

Conservative estimate: 10% = £80-120/year
Typical estimate: 15% = £120-180/year
Best case: 20-25% = £160-300/year

Who Saves the Most?

High Savers

You’ll save more if you:

Currently heat the house when no one’s home
Forget to turn heating off
Have an irregular schedule
Keep the whole house warm for one person

Low Savers

You’ll save less if you:

Already use a programmable thermostat effectively
Are home most of the time
Already turn heating off manually when out
Have a very efficient, well-insulated home

How Smart Thermostats Save Money

1. Scheduling

Heat only when needed. No more heating an empty house from 7am when you don’t get up until 9am on weekends.

2. Geofencing

Phone GPS detects when you leave and arrive. Heating adjusts automatically.

3. Learning

Smart thermostats learn how quickly your home heats up and start just in time, not too early.

4. Remote Control

Plans change? Turn heating off from your phone. No more heating an empty house because you’re stuck at work.

5. Zone Control

With smart TRVs, heat only the rooms you’re using. Stop paying to heat the spare bedroom.

Payback Period

How long until the thermostat pays for itself?

Thermostat	Cost	£120/yr savings	£180/yr savings
tado° Starter	£149	15 months	10 months
Hive	£179	18 months	12 months
Nest	£219	22 months	15 months

After the payback period, it’s pure savings every year.

Maximising Your Savings

Enable geofencing: The biggest saver for most people
Set proper schedules: Don’t just accept defaults
Add smart TRVs: Room-by-room control boosts savings further
Lower your target temp: Every 1°C reduction saves ~10%
Check your reports: Learn from the data

The Bottom Line

For most UK households, a smart thermostat will save £100-200 per year. It pays for itself within 1-2 years and keeps saving money for years after.

Beyond savings, the convenience of remote control and never coming home to a cold house is worth the investment alone.