Who is this type of programming for?

People who are away at regular times

If you regularly leave home during the day, a weekly schedule can save you from adjusting each radiator every time you leave and return. Make sure the scheduled zones match the rooms you use.

Hybrid workers with changing routines

If the days you work from home vary, an override or remote control can help you adjust the temperature setting without reworking your whole schedule. Your choice will also depend on whether the system is compatible with your heating.

Households that use rooms at different times

A home office used on certain days and bedrooms used at other times may not need the same schedule. It’s worth considering control by zone or room, provided each radiator you want to control can be managed by the system.

What should you look for before buying?

If your home is less occupied during the day, first identify the type of radiators you have and which controls they support. Then choose a schedule based on what matters most to you.

What matters What to check Consumers concerned
Regular absences Weekly scheduling and the number of zones you can control. To avoid resetting the controls every morning, I want my heating to follow my usual times away from home. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise this kind of automation.
Changing schedules Compatibility with your heating and the option to override the schedule or control it remotely. When the days I’m at home change, I want to be able to adjust the temperature setting without redoing the whole week. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this flexibility.
How each room is used The number of rooms you want to control and the devices needed for their radiators. If I use my home office and bedrooms at different times, I want to set the heating in each room separately. Around 25% of consumers would put this distinction first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming all radiators support a pilot-wire programmer

    Promotelec points out that only some electric heating systems have a pilot wire. Even when one is present, the commands accepted can vary from one radiator to another.

    Make a note of the model number of each radiator, then check for a pilot wire and the commands supported before choosing a programmer.

    Depending on the installation, receivers or wiring adaptations may be needed.

  • Confusing central heating with independent electric radiators

    A thermostat designed for a boiler or an air-to-water heat pump cannot automatically replace a control for pilot-wire radiators. Netatmo, for example, describes its Smart Thermostat as being for central heating systems.

    Identify the system you want to control and check the compatibility of the exact model before buying.

  • Choosing remote control without considering your routine

    An app can be useful if your schedule changes, but it doesn’t remove the need to check compatibility. If you’re away at predictable times, a local schedule may do the job without daily input.

    Compare how often your schedule actually changes with the override and scheduling features of the model you’re considering.

  • Assuming room-by-room control is just a matter of using an app

    To control rooms separately, you also need to consider the radiators and the control devices associated with them.

    Count the rooms and radiators you need to manage, then check what’s included in the kit and what’s needed for each one.

    Depending on the system you choose, additional sensors or receivers may be needed.

Brands to compare

Delta Dore

Delta Dore offers programmers and controls for pilot-wire electric heating.

  • According to Delta Dore, the Driver 620 can programme one or two zones of pilot-wire electric heating.
  • This configuration applies to the Driver 620, not the entire range. Check which commands your radiators accept and what wiring is available.

Heatzy

Heatzy describes Pilote as a Wi-Fi programmer for pilot-wire electric radiators, with remote control.

  • Connected scheduling can be useful when the days you’re at home change.
  • According to Heatzy, some configurations require a separate power supply protected by a 2 A circuit breaker. Check the installation requirements for the product you’re considering.

Netatmo

Netatmo offers connected thermostats primarily designed for individual central heating systems.

  • Netatmo describes its Smart Thermostat as being for installations including an individual boiler or an air-to-water heat pump.
  • Don’t assume it’s a universal programmer for pilot-wire electric radiators; check that it’s compatible with your installation.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Will a programmable thermostat work with all electric radiators?

No. Compatibility depends on the radiators and how they’re controlled. ADEME highlights the difference between systems that use a pilot wire and those that need individual receivers. Before buying, also check which commands each radiator accepts.

Can a connected thermostat replace a pilot-wire programmer?

Not necessarily. “Connected” describes how a device can be controlled; it doesn’t mean it’s compatible with every type of heating. A pilot-wire programmer controls compatible electric radiators, while some connected thermostats, including the Netatmo model mentioned here, are primarily intended for central heating. Always check which system the product connects to.

Will room-by-room scheduling work without an internet connection?

The system described in ADEME’s CEE BAR-TH-173 specification must continue to work if the internet connection is lost. This requirement applies to devices covered by that specification, so check that the product you’re considering can operate locally.