Vaillant vSMART – Review

The smart thermostat market is now more competitive than ever with manufacturers packing a wide range of features into their thermostats. It was only a matter of time that Vaillant would make their entry with the Vaillant vSMART thermostat. In our review, we will give you an overview of the vSMART and its many features. Once we have taken a look at its features, we will answer the following question: How does it compare to its competitors?

Features

Installation & Compatibility
The vSMART is one of the easiest thermostats to install due to its communication unit’s eBus line connection, which plugs straight into the front of any boiler in the Vaillant ecoTec range. Once the communication unit is in place, you can then set-up the vSMART thermostat on your home WiFi connection. The main unit is battery powered, which makes it even easier to install. Whether you decide to mount the device on a wall or place the device on a stand, you can insert three new batteries into the back of the device and return it to its original location.

The vSMART is only compatible with Vaillant boilers – more specifically the ecoTec range only. You will have to invest in a different thermostat if you’re looking for something that’s suitable for a boiler which is not a Vaillant ecoTec.

Design
The vSMART has a simple design which features an e-paper display to read the current temperature. The device is compact and features plus and minus buttons in the top corners of the display to adjust your temperature settings. The unit itself looks quite like a traditional digital thermostat with its white plastic construction. However, it’s what’s under the hood that counts.

Zoning
Unfortunately, the vSMART doesn’t offer a multi-zone feature like some of its competitors, which means you will only be able to install one vSMART in your property. If you want to be able to set different schedules for different rooms; you may be better off with the Nest thermostat.

Despite the lack of a multi-zone feature, you can control multiple vSMART thermostats from the same Vaillant app account. This feature could be ideal if you have more than one home you need to manage. You will also be able to monitor the performance of the devices to keep an eye on your usage.

Self-Learning
One of the main selling points of the vSMART is its ability to adapt your schedule to your heating habits. The focus of the self-learning feature is to optimise your energy usage and minimise wastage. For example, if you had previously set a schedule that turns your heating on at 6am but you consistently override these settings, the vSMART will learn from your changes and make the necessary adjustments to your schedule.

Weather Compensation
The vSMART uses local weather data to alter your heating settings and achieve the best heating performance in your home. The thermostat will use outdoor temperatures from the weather data to either decrease or increase the heat in your home, which is excellent for making energy savings over the winter when you’re using your boiler the most. Unlike other smart thermostats, the vSMART uses surrounding weather stations without the need for an outdoor temperature sensor.

The vSMART App
The Vaillant vSMART app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. When you open the app for the first time, you are greeted by the setup wizard which lets you set up a heating schedule. The app offers an away mode so that you can set your heating to come back on for the day you return home. You can change the temperature preferences and schedules in the away mode based on your preferences. You can also view your heating usage in the app, which monitors your home temperatures and energy consumption over an extended time-period.

Overview

The Vaillant vSMART has a lot to offer with its functionality and stands as a clear competitor within the busy, smart thermostat market. Don’t be fooled by its simplistic design. Out of the box, you will benefit from its easy-to-use app and on-board controls. You can have the smart thermostat installed and ready to go in a matter of minutes without the need for any extra kit.

One of the downsides of the device is the lack of compatibility with other boilers besides the ecoTec range. Also, the lack of multi-zone support could be an issue for users who prefer to control the temperature for multiple rooms (especially in larger homes). However, you will still benefit from the control of multiple vSMART thermostats in different homes using the same vSMART app, as well as a 2-year standard guarantee on the thermostat.

If you already own a Vaillant ecoTec boiler or looking to invest in a new ecoTec boiler, the vSMART thermostat is an excellent choice.

How does the vSMART stand against Worcester Bosch’s Wave thermostat? Find out here.