Benefits and disadvantages of existing smart heating control systems: a critical survey

Residential buildings are still responsible of a higher share of global energy consumption, in particular, the main amount of energy (68%) is consumed for space heating and cooling. In this context, an important goal is the development of indoor climate control strategies that may help to reduce high-energy consumption. Thanks to the ICT development, the global market is already trying to answer to this necessity. A “smart home” should be equipped with computing and information technology, which responds to the needs of the occupants and works to promote their comfort, convenience, security. Several “smart heating” controls have been developed in the last few years, initially in American countries and after in Europe. In particular, these smart heating control systems act on temperature set points and schedules. The available “smart” control options and algorithms radically vary among the products presented in the market, shifting from memorization of user habits to interaction with other variables as windows openings and occupancy. This paper represents a survey of current temperature control systems available: they are compared and critically analyzed in their benefits and disadvantages. In particular, this study regards technical elements and heating system requirements, remote and smart control options, costs and installation procedures. Finally, possible upgrades are also considered in the perspective of a more persuasive technology and user awareness of energy consumption.