wifi plug on a valiant eco tec pro

[motorbiking]

I have the above mains combi set up on an airbnb property, with a conventional thermostat. Ideally I want to get a Nest smart thermostat, but there aren't many people in the area offering installs. Occasionally people leave without turning the thermostat down and it's often a week or so, before I can get to the property. I was considering adding a wifi plug to remotely switch off the boiler. The property has a smart meter, so I can tell if the central heating has been left on.

Any risk with this?

Stupid question, but will the pilot light go out if the boiler is switch off or are they electric/self lighting?

 

[Why Not Indeed]

The boiler won't be happy just having the power pulled if it's running. It likes to complete its cycle after the call for heat has gone away, so it can cool down properly. You will cause premature wear but not sure if you can actually quantify how many years it will take off the life of your boiler.
I would think that a smart thermostat install is within the realms of DIY work.

 

[Jurassicspark]

The boiler won't be happy just having the power pulled if it's running.

Yes, but surely the OP can see from the smart meter if the boiler stopped its cycle.

Stupid question, but will the pilot light go out if the boiler is switch off or are they electric/self lighting?

If it has a pilot light then it’s an old boiler and should be appearing on Antiques Roadshow. Can't you just write a note and stick it somewhere near the entrance, reminding the tenants to turn off the heating before leaving?

 

[Why Not Indeed]

Yes, but surely the OP can see from the smart meter if the boiler stopped its cycle.

Yes:

The property has a smart meter, so I can tell if the central heating has been left on.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

Actually perhaps the answer is not "Yes" but just "Maybe". Gas meters only update half-hourly because they run off battery so if the OP is using gas meter data for this, it's not going be very precise. Electric consumption would be better but electric consumption by a boiler may be hard to spot amongst a whole house.
Additionally, pulling power to the boiler means it won't be doing any frost protection.

 

[motorbiking]

Yes, but surely the OP can see from the smart meter if the boiler stopped its cycle.

If it has a pilot light then it’s an old boiler and should be appearing on Antiques Roadshow. Can't you just write a note and stick it somewhere near the entrance, reminding the tenants to turn off the heating before leaving?

Yes. And some of them don’t.

 

[motorbiking]

I’ll have a crack at the Nest myself. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[RandomGrinch]

I’ll have a crack at the Nest myself. Thanks for all the replies.

Do you know what thermostat you have installed already?
It's possible that the 'stat may be an eBus controller on a Vaillant.
If it was, a Nest install may be less straightforward, requiring new connections to be made within the boiler (theoretically an RGI job).
If the stat is a simple On/Off stat, then a Nest install should be simple.

Leaving the mains to the boiler on is not just about completing the cycle and pump overrun; it also provides periodic pump runs to move the C/H water and allows smart stats to provide a suitable setback temperature for frost protection.
The circuit is designed to be left on permanently with components selected appropriately.

 

[Mottie]

I’ll have a crack at the Nest myself. Thanks for all the replies.

The Hive would be easy to do. You can control that remotely through your phone as well as tablet/ipad. You’ll need the thermostat, receiver and WiFi hub. With the hub, you can add smart bulbs and sockets so that you can control the lighting remotely too.