How to Modernise Older Heating Systems to Increase Efficiency and Comfort

Smart technologies are not just the privilege of new builds. Even in older properties, you can modernise a range of devices, including heating. Discover which technologies can help you minimise heating costs in older homes without the need for major renovations or construction work.

Modern and Efficient Heating Without Construction Work

If you have an older house, you might hesitate to modernise the heating due to fears of construction work and related costs. However, there is no need to worry – modern smart home heating systems are wireless, allowing you to install them without cutting into walls or laying new cabling. With smart thermostats and electronic circulation pumps, you can significantly reduce heating costs and increase thermal comfort. Thanks to the savings, your investment will quickly pay off.

Wireless thermostats and electronic circulation pumps are compatible with all types of heating systems (radiator, underfloor, and combined) and with all heat sources (heat pumps, gas boilers, electric and solid fuel boilers, central heating, etc.). Therefore, nothing prevents you from modernising an older system and switching to smart heating, and no major renovation or radiator replacement is needed.

Smart heating set for radiators Siemens Connected Home

Advantages of Smart Heating in an Older House

In an older house, you can easily install a sophisticated smart heating system, which includes smart thermostatic radiator valves, possibly actuators for underfloor heating, indoor and outdoor temperature sensors, a central control unit, a boiler switching unit, and other components tailored to your needs. You can choose from a range of discounted sets from leading global manufacturers such as Honeywell, Siemens, or Danfoss.

You can easily set the heating of the house according to your preferences and daily routine, and if necessary, adjust the temperature either via the control unit or remotely via mobile or internet. With smart heating, you gain maximum comfort and significantly reduce energy costs.

Using a smart heating system ensures maximum comfort and significantly saves on energy costs

Save Up to 30% on Heating Costs with Smart Heating

With smart thermostats, you can control both radiator and underfloor heating with a local heat source. Their aim is to maximise thermal comfort with optimal energy consumption. On average, smart room thermostats save up to 30% on heating costs. So if you pay 30,000 CZK annually for heating, with a smart thermostat, it will suddenly be only 20,000 CZK, without compromising on comfort.

You can control smart heating even while travelling

And how is it even possible that a smart wifi thermostat saves so much energy?

1. Automation: Smart heating features zonal and time regulation, meaning you can pre-set the desired temperatures for each room and time of day separately. This prevents overheating of unused rooms. The heating adapts to your usual routine, and you will never forget to turn it down before leaving for work. Individual models of digital thermostats also have other smart features for even higher heating efficiency.
2. Heating Control via Mobile: You can control smart heating via a mobile app, internet, or smart home. This allows you to easily adjust the temperature in your home from anywhere, anytime.
3. Monitoring: The app also provides valuable data on heating operation and energy consumption, allowing you to optimise the system's operation for even greater savings.

If you have central heating, don't despair. Wifi thermostatic radiator valves can be used independently, without a room thermostat. Simply install them on the heating bodies instead of traditional manual valves and set the desired temperatures for different times in the app. The temperature can then be adjusted directly on the valve or remotely via mobile.

Wifi thermostatic radiator valves can be installed independently and controlled directly or remotely via a mobile app

Electronic Circulation Pumps for Higher Heating Efficiency

Another important element of the heating system is the circulation pump, which ensures the circulation of the heat-carrying fluid in the system. Efficient circulation ensures even heating even in the most distant parts of the house, and thus significant savings – thanks to the pleasant temperature in every room, you won't have the tendency to overheat, and the water won't unnecessarily cool down on its way to the heating body.

In older houses, old three-speed circulation pumps are often still installed, which run at a constant output. These can no longer be manufactured or sold in the EU as they are inefficient, but they can still "serve out their time." Although their use is still possible, we recommend their timely replacement with electronic circulation pumps, for example from brands like Grundfos or Wilo, which automatically adjust their output to the current requirements of the heating system. Energy savings with electronic pumps are truly significant – you can save up to 85% of electrical energy. For the replacement of the circulation pump itself, contact your heating technician.

Smart circulation pump Grundfos MAGNA3

Additional Tips for Modernising Heating Systems

An integral part of heating systems is, of course, the heat source, with the least economical being the electric boiler. Solid fuel boilers are the least environmentally friendly and face increasingly strict regulations.

The most modern and efficient source is a heat pump. Although it is a higher investment, it can save you up to 70% of costs annually; the return is estimated at 5-7 years. Despite the fact that from 2024, owners of heat pumps face an increase in prices for the regulated part of electricity, it remains the most efficient and energy-effective source. However, you must be prepared for a higher initial investment, and its operating costs can be significantly affected by current electricity prices. A cheaper and also efficient alternative is a gas condensing boiler, which brings particularly high savings in combination with underfloor heating.

Another tip to increase heating efficiency without reconstruction is to acquire weather-compensated control for the room thermostat. This adjusts the boiler's output based on outdoor temperatures.

Heating is closely related to the heating and circulation of DHW. You can also make the DHW system more efficient by acquiring an efficient source, but also by installing a circulation pump. This differs from the heating circulation pump in the material, which is suitable for contact with drinking water. The circulation pump saves energy and water by ensuring an immediate supply of hot water without the need to run it off.

Your Home Can Be Smart Too

As you can see, switching to smart and efficient technologies is not difficult, even if you have older heating. Investment in smart home will quickly pay off, and you can also look forward to comfort and a pleasant user experience. Smart wifi thermostats for the boiler and circulation pumps can also be controlled remotely, giving you perfect control over your heating.