Review: the SmartHomeSupply smart thermostat

01Review of SmartHomeSupply thermostat in brief

The SmartHomeSupply app enables you to operate all the sensors. In principle, the starter pack consists of a smart thermostat, a controller for the central heating boiler, a boiler module, four remotely controllable radiator knobs and a room thermostat. So you can heat four rooms or radiators separately. This system can also control other things, such as the storage of solar energy and switching off power consumers such as the dishwasher. This system detects whether you are at home, but cannot heat in a modulating way or heat up in a self-learning way.

02Full review of SmartHomeSupply

SmartHomeSupply offers countless solutions for smarter heating. For example, there are the smart thermostatic knobs for the M30 and Danfoss valves, but also the zone controllers for underfloor heating, stepper motors, plug switches for electric heating and so on. In other words, the company offers a very complete range to make your heating, and by extension your home, smart.

The other smart tools should certainly not be underestimated, because they often also contribute to the energy saving options. Take, for example, smart lighting and smart switches so that you never have to use too much energy, but also think of window and door sensors or smart roller shutters and so on. In their own way, these smart solutions contribute to the energy efficiency of your home.

What it all revolves around, of course, are the apps with which you control it. And there are 2 of them: Livisi SmartHome and Homematic IP. You use the Livisi SmartHome app, among other things, to fully set up the SmartHome control panel and integrate new devices. You can also receive push notifications and stay informed of changes in the home. In our view it is not the best app, because it falters quite often and starts up slowly. Sometimes you even have to restart the app several times. It is also difficult to look up more information about it, because the website is only available in German. Do not expect the customer service to be able to help you in Dutch either, because in our test they did not even make the effort to throw the question into Google Translate. If you do not speak English or German, you are out of luck.

Next, we briefly examined the Homematic IP app. You use this app, among other things, to regulate the indoor climate and the sun shading. It promises that you can save up to 30% energy, but nowhere shows how they arrive at this figure. In our view the app is much more user-friendly than the Livisi SmartHome app, but there are certainly still a number of limitations. For example, it is not possible to control two hot water boilers in a single home. The endless scrolling to display all the temperatures is also something that impatient people like us quickly find annoying.

Installation and information

Where the apps are not always equally clear and are infatuated with the German language, SmartHomeSupply itself does very well. They have really invested a lot of effort in displaying everything as clearly as possible on their website. You will find clear information there about what you need to turn your house into a smart home, and there are even calculation tools and advice pages. In addition, you will also find clear instructions there on, for example, how to use or program the smart thermostatic knob or other smart supplies. So they more than make up for the shortcomings in the app.

The same also applies to the installation instructions, which the average DIY enthusiast will experience as clear. The installation instructions are always accompanied by clear images and there are even instruction videos that make things extra clear. If you still do not manage despite this, there is a live chat on the website. Here you can ask an expert for help, simply in Dutch. During office hours you usually get an answer within a few minutes, and our experiences with this were positive.

Privacy and contract terms

SmartHomeSupply's partners regularly have data security tests carried out by the German testing body VDE. The results of these tests are published in the news section and are very good. This means that the certificate guarantees that their wireless home automation systems run via secure data communication and offer sufficient protection against hackers. This is important because apps such as SmartHome simply do communicate with external partners such as Philips, for example for the connection with the Philips Hue. Thanks to modern transmission protocols and state-of-the-art encryption techniques, you can be sure that your data, which is stored in Germany, is safe.

SmartHomeSupply also handles data correctly and explicitly states that it does not provide data to third parties. Furthermore, their general terms and conditions do not set off any alarm bells. They appear to be mainly standard terms that do not go beyond what is strictly necessary. In any case, there are a number of plus points, such as the option to pay afterwards. Although the general terms and conditions are not earth-shattering, we do of course recommend always reading them carefully. If you buy their products via third parties such as bol.com, you should of course look at their terms and conditions.

Unique solutions from SmartHomeSupply

It is mainly thanks to a number of innovative and practical solutions that SmartHomeSupply distinguishes itself from competitors. The previously mentioned solutions for underfloor heating and the clear communication about them are a first important example of this. For another example, we enter the world of infrared heating. This uses harmless infrared heat rays that are stored by furniture, floors and walls and that heat the space sustainably. There are only a few competitors that also offer smart solutions for this.

Does it all sound very technical? Compared with other smart thermostats, connecting it is actually easier, but with underfloor heating it is still fairly complex for the layperson. Moreover, it is not a ready-made solution; you really have to set everything up extensively yourself. Anyone who is fairly digitally adept can achieve a lot with it. Even control via Google Assistant is one of the options. These options are a plus point, but for those who are mainly looking for a simple smart thermostat without too much fuss, there are better alternatives to be found.

03Connecting the access point

First of all, an access point must be connected. This is the main controller for the smart heating and will, for example, handle the communication between the smart thermostat and the thermostatic knobs. Connect the access point via a network cable to the router or the internet modem. You can simply place the access point in the meter cupboard. Without a username or password, a secure and encrypted wireless network is then created that handles the data transfer.

04Connecting the thermostat

After connecting the access point, it is now time to connect the smart thermostat. Because the smart thermostat must be able to measure the temperature separately in each room, you may need to place several smart thermostats. Each smart thermostat then measures and controls its own room and can be operated manually or via the Homematic IP app. Individual clock programmes are also among the options. Mount the smart thermostats in a suitable place, away from heat sources or warm sunlight. For this you only need to fix the base plate with screws and then mount the thermostat.

05Mounting the thermostatic knobs

Because the thermostat must be able to control the radiators, you need to replace the radiator knobs with the smart thermostatic knobs. These thermostatic knobs do not measure the temperature themselves and are completely dependent on the smart thermostat. That is why important rooms such as the living room always need their own smart thermostat. To mount the thermostatic knob, first loosen the old radiator knob and then screw on the new thermostatic knob. It can be that simple sometimes.

06Placing the Multi IO-Box

You finish with the Multi IO-Box. This is a module with which you control the heat source. The exact connection method depends here on the type of heat source. With a central heating boiler you have to connect the box, for example, to the "ON/OFF thermostat" input, while with block heating you have to connect the box to the valve of the block heating. For the layperson, connecting this box may be fairly complicated, but on the SmartHomeSupply website there are wiring diagrams to be seen and you immediately discover which connections you need to provide. Done? Then you can now above all enjoy your smart and energy-saving heating.

07How do you install the SmartHomeSupply smart thermostat?

Providing a ready-made installation step-by-step plan is easier said than done. SmartHomeSupply offers so many solutions, and for underfloor heating, for example, it will simply work differently than for infrared heating. Below we focus on the installation of a smart thermostat with a radiator. For the other situations, fairly extensive manuals can be found on the SmartHomeSupply website.

08Frequently asked questions about SmartHomeSupply

SmartHomeSupply is not exactly one of the best-known suppliers of smart thermostats, but as you can read, we are positive about it. Still, it is understandable that you first want to know a few things about this supplier and their products in advance. On this page you will discover more about it.

It is possible to link several smart thermostatic knobs to one thermostat. Do always place this thermostat in the same room or in a central room, away from the influences of the sun, heat sources, cold downdraughts and so on.