Review: the smart thermostat from HeatApp

01Our conclusion on the HeatApp thermostat

The HeatApp is a system that you can operate remotely via your smartphone. The app can also be used by several users at the same time. But the HeatApp has no presence detection and therefore does not know whether you are at home. You can, however, set the temperature per room. This can be done, for example, using a time profile. The HeatApp also learns how long the central heating boiler needs to heat to get your home to the right temperature by the time you are home. Modulating heating is also possible. But you cannot get any information about the energy consumption of your smart home and, with a price from 750 euros, many consider that a major shortcoming.

02Full review of the HeatApp

The HeatApp has a number of energy-saving features that are quite handy. For example, it is possible to operate the thermostat with your smartphone wherever you are. All you need for this is access to the internet. Moreover, the app can also be used by several people at the same time. Still, there are limitations. Presence detection, for example, is not among the possibilities, which could reasonably be expected for this price tag.

What it can do is work with zones and control the temperature per room. This way you give each individual room its own time profile and schedule. This is an advantage over cheaper alternatives such as the smart thermostat from Nest. You do, however, need special wirelessly controlled radiator knobs for this, and your radiators must also be suitable for this. With underfloor heating this is of course not the case and everything goes via the zone controller.

Furthermore, the HeatApp has all kinds of self-learning capabilities that we already know from other smart thermostats. For example, the HeatApp learns the temperature characteristics of your home, which is to say that it learns how long it takes to heat the home and how quickly it cools down again afterwards. The advantage of this is that it allows the HeatApp to heat efficiently. Another plus point, but something we also know from other, cheaper smart thermostats. Moreover, the HeatApp is not intelligent enough to set times and temperatures by itself based on your living habits, again something that some cheaper thermostats can do. On the other hand, it is a plus point that you can expand the HeatApp yourself in this way. You can also add extra temperature sensors or zone controllers yourself, for when you later switch to underfloor heating, for example.

An important plus point is the ability to heat in a modulating way, which actually results in an energy saving because the boiler then generates heat more efficiently. On the other hand, there is the lack of clear insights into your energy consumption and the (potential) savings. Nor can you receive weather information. In other words, the HeatApp lacks a number of functionalities that we should be able to expect within this price range, while the functions it does have can often also be found in cheaper smart thermostats.

Smart thermostat with a high price tag

With a price tag of around 740 euros, for which you receive the central unit, the gateway and three thermostat knobs, we find the price of the HeatApp somewhat on the high side. Especially when you know that this only lets you heat three rooms separately, which will not be enough for all homes. For an extra thermostat knob you pay around 85 euros each. If you have underfloor heating, you also have to pay around 130 euros more for a starter pack. This is quite on the high side and is not really in proportion to the possibilities that the HeatApp offers.

Moreover, you should also bear in mind that, according to Milieu Centraal, the central unit and the gateway consume around 87,6 kWh. This results in an annual energy consumption of around 17,50 euros. Of course the energy saving will compensate for this, but the consumption is somewhat higher than the energy consumption of many other smart thermostats. It is not clear to us why this is. A plus point, however, is that you are independent of your energy supplier and can therefore switch more easily, which means you can save on this point and look for the cheapest solution every year.

Compatibility

One of the plus points of the HeatApp is that the thermostat can be used with virtually all types of heating. Central heating boilers with OpenTherm, on/off or 0-to-10-volt control are all possible. Moreover, it is also suitable for a heat pump. Only with hybrid heat pumps is the HeatApp thermostat not suitable. Either way, it is one of the most versatile smart thermostats on the market. This can be a plus point if you want to take the system with you when you move house. In practice it is not unusual for it to stay behind in the home, because otherwise the old thermostat has to be reinstalled.

That is why it may be more useful to take a closer look at the further compatibility. The app is available for Android, iOS and Windows, for example. Moreover, you can also control everything via the website, so you can get started with any smartphone, tablet or computer. A plus point here is that the data is stored in your own home and not on a server of some company or other.

Design and app

As always, we also take a close look at the design of the smart thermostat. And as is often the case, we are faced with a boring white housing, of which there are a dime a dozen. That the HeatApp! Gateway has the design of a router is no disaster, but we may set higher standards for a smart thermostat that adorns the living room. If you compare it with the Nest thermostat, for example, the difference is quite striking. Now, one man's meat is another man's poison, but for this price you should be able to expect a few more options.

What we personally are positive about is the design of the thermostat knobs, but that is because here we prefer simple thermostat knobs that can properly replace the original knobs. Finally, the app is very nicely designed and we also appreciate the clarity it offers. The user interface is attractive and intuitive, and we find the so-called one-touch scenarios particularly interesting. These are points that are often missing from other apps.

03Placing and connecting the HeatApp! Base

First of all, find a suitable spot, near a socket, to hang the HeatApp! Base. When linking it to a heat source, this must of course also be near the heat source. The electrical connection can then be made. The wiring diagram and the various connections are shown visually in the manual. The exact wiring diagram depends, among other things, on the protocol used (OpenTherm, 0-10 volt etc.). Both a LAN connection and a wifi connection to the home network are possible.

04Configuring the HeatApp! Base

After connecting the HeatApp! Base, the initial configuration can take place. To do this, you connect your computer to the HeatApp! Base. The device software is updated via the internet assistant. The internet assistant will appear automatically. Via the steps that follow, you can also connect the HeatApp! Base to wifi so that you do not have to run a cable to your router afterwards.

05Installing the gateway

Next, you can install the gateway. You can simply use the gateway as a tabletop device and place it wherever you want, but of course near a socket. You can use the gateway wirelessly or connect it to the home network via a LAN connection. Here too, you will first have to make a connection with the computer to apply all the settings. This includes optionally connecting to wifi, but also choosing a personal password and configuring the necessary connection with the HeatApp! Base. Without this password, later access to the gateway menu is not possible, so keep it very safe afterwards.

06Completing the installation

Finally, the other components can also be added. This installation depends heavily on the type of heating system and which components you need for it. This includes the installation of the HeatApp! Floor (zone controller for the underfloor heating), the HeatApp! Sense (temperature sensor) and the HeatApp! Drive (for the smart radiator knobs). Afterwards, you can install the HeatApp app on your smartphone. You can find this app in the iTunes or Google Play environment. If your smartphone, like the HeatApp, is connected to the local network, you can easily add the HeatApp! Base. It is then possible to set the necessary schedules.

07How do you install the HeatApp thermostat?

The HeatApp thermostat comes with a manual that contains no fewer than 28 pages of installation instructions. Thanks to the many drawings and the clear directions, the installation of the HeatApp is in any case explained more clearly than what we see with some other smart thermostats. We are not going to reproduce all 28 pages here, and that would be pointless anyway, but it is probably useful to discover how the installation works. Hence this simplified step-by-step plan.

08Frequently asked questions about the HeatApp thermostat

For many people, a thermostat of around 750 euros is a considerable investment, and then you had better make sure of what you are going to buy. To prevent misunderstandings and to help you make an informed choice, there is this FAQ.

With this you receive the HeatApp! Base, the HeatApp! Gateway and three HeatApp! Drive radiator knobs. They are supplied with two AA batteries, a manual, two LAN cables, the required power supply and the necessary mounting material (consisting of two wall plugs and two screws).