Heating Controls Upgrade: TRVs, Thermostats & EPC Points Explained
Adding a programmer, room thermostat, and TRVs costs £200–£500 and adds 1–3 SAP points. Often the best value when done alongside a boiler upgrade.
What Counts as a Heating Controls Upgrade?
For EPC purposes, the assessor records what heating controls are present. The three key components are:
1. Programmer or timer — controls when the heating comes on and off
2. Room thermostat — controls the temperature in the property
3. Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) — control temperature room by room
Properties that have all three score better on the EPC than those with only a basic timer or no controls. Upgrading from basic or missing controls to a full set typically adds 1–3 SAP points.
How Much Does It Cost?
| Component | Typical Cost (Installed) |
|---|---|
| Programmer/timer | £80 – £150 |
| Room thermostat (wired) | £100 – £200 |
| Room thermostat (wireless/smart) | £150 – £300 |
| TRVs (per radiator) | £15 – £35 each |
| Full upgrade (average 3-bed property) | £200 – £500 |
If you are already having a boiler installed, most engineers will include basic controls (programmer + room stat + TRVs) for an additional £100–£250. This is the most cost-effective time to do it.
Smart Thermostats and EPCs
Smart thermostats (Nest, Hive, tado°) function as both a programmer and room thermostat. They are credited the same as standard wired controls on an EPC assessment — there is no additional SAP benefit for being "smart". However, they can reduce energy bills through learning algorithms and geofencing.
For EPC purposes, a £30 basic programmer plus a £80 wired thermostat achieves the same SAP improvement as a £200 smart thermostat.
Which Properties Benefit?
Heating controls upgrades help most when:
- The property has no room thermostat (common in older properties with back boilers or simple timeclock controls)
- Radiators have no TRVs (or only have manual valves)
- The existing controls are basic on/off without temperature setting
If your property already has a programmer, room stat, and TRVs on most radiators, upgrading to newer versions will not change the EPC rating.
Combine with a Boiler Upgrade
Heating controls and a boiler upgrade work best together:
| Scenario | Typical SAP Gain | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler upgrade only | +5–8 points | £2,500 – £3,500 |
| Controls only | +1–3 points | £200 – £500 |
| Boiler + controls together | +7–13 points | £2,700 – £4,000 |
The combined improvement often exceeds the sum of the individual parts because the SAP calculation rewards efficient boilers with proper controls more than either measure alone.
DIY or Professional?
TRVs: A competent DIYer can replace manual radiator valves with TRVs, but you need to drain the radiator first. Allow 30 minutes per radiator.
Programmer and thermostat: Wiring these involves the electrical and heating systems. A Gas Safe or qualified heating engineer should do this work, especially if it involves the boiler wiring.
Check your property on EPCFix to see if heating controls are recommended for your property and how the improvement stacks up against other options.
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