Smart heating controls have the capabilities of normal programmable heating controls, but also can be controlled remotely, are wireless, and can utilise artificial intelligence.

Smart heating controls, or a smart central heating system, have all the capabilities of normal programmable heating and hot water controls. In addition, they allow the management of the heating system remotely from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, especially useful if for example heating of the building is required out of usual operating hours.

Smart heating control systems are wireless, communicating via Wi-Fi. Each individual thermostat or thermostatic radiator valve can fire the boiler. Smart heating controls vary in their sophistication, but some incorporate occupancy sensors as well as programming and timers. This means if only one room is occupied the heating system can sense this and heat it up independently and automatically of the rest of the building.

Some systems also utilise artificial intelligence to learn from previous use of the heating system. These systems will learn how long it takes to heat a zone up by a certain time and alter radiator thermostats based on this knowledge. Many smart control systems use features such as outside temperature sensors or accessing weather forecast data to calculate the optimal time to turn the heating system on or off, within its programmed parameters.