Smart Heating in Modern Apartments

Where Comfort Ends and Responsibility Begins

In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that the conversation around heating is no longer limited to thermal comfort alone. Developers, interior designers, property owners and asset managers are now looking at heating systems through a much broader lens — considering their impact on operating costs, environmental footprint and the everyday habits of occupants. This shift fits naturally into the wider ESG narrative and the growing focus on responsible construction. In practice, one of the simplest yet most effective tools supporting this transition is the use of smart thermostats and intelligent heating systems.

Why Traditional Heating Control Is No Longer Enough

In many apartments, heating still follows the same outdated logic: a constant temperature throughout the entire day, regardless of whether anyone is actually at home. In many cases, this isn’t even a conscious decision but simply the result of forgetfulness — for example, leaving radiators on when leaving the apartment.

The outcome is predictable: overheated interiors, unnecessary energy consumption and little real control.

Smart heating changes this approach. Thanks to schedules and scenarios, the system responds to how the apartment is actually used, rather than relying on fixed settings. The temperature can be reduced when the home is empty and return to a comfortable level when residents are present. This translates not only into greater convenience, but also lower energy consumption and far more predictable costs.

Technology That Doesn’t Compete With the Interior

From the perspective of contemporary interiors, it is equally important that smart thermostats do not compete visually with architecture or design. They can be installed in fully finished, occupied apartments without the need for renovation. A well-designed Smart Home system operates quietly in the background — almost invisible, yet with a real impact on how the space functions.

This is particularly relevant in premium residential projects and PRS investments, where users expect solutions that are intuitive to use while still technologically advanced. Intelligent heating does not require remembering to adjust the thermostat or constant manual supervision. A well-planned schedule and regular battery replacement are enough — and even battery levels can be monitored and reported by a mobile app.

Scenarios Aligned With Everyday Life

Today, wellbeing in the home is closely linked to how heating systems respond to residents’ daily routines. The goal is not to reduce temperatures at the expense of comfort, but to consciously adjust heating to the moments when warmth is genuinely needed.

What Energy-Saving Scenarios Can Be Created?

Scenario A: Work 8:00–16:00, sleep 23:00–6:00
In this daily rhythm, intelligent heating operates almost imperceptibly. At night, when residents are asleep, the temperature is gently lowered, not enough to affect sleep quality, but sufficient to reduce energy consumption. Around 6:00 a.m., the system raises the temperature, preparing the apartment for the morning.

Once residents leave for work, the heating automatically switches to an energy-saving mode, maintaining a lower temperature until their return. Around 3:30 p.m., the apartment begins to warm up again, so no manual adjustments are needed after coming home. The result is stable thermal comfort without overheating empty rooms or abrupt temperature fluctuations.

Scenario B: Studying weekdays 9:00–15:00, weekends away
In this case, the key is combining a weekly schedule with an absence mode. On weekdays, heating behaves similarly to a standard daily routine by lowering the temperature during classes and raising it before residents return.

The difference comes at the weekend. Once travel mode is activated, the system maintains a minimal, safe temperature that protects both the installation and the apartment, while significantly reducing energy use. On Sunday evening or on the day of return, heating can be remotely restored to comfortable settings — even before residents step back inside.

Common Problems With Intelligent Heating and How to Avoid Them

Although intelligent heating greatly simplifies daily temperature management, issues can arise. Most often not because of the technology itself, but due to minor operational oversights. The majority of service requests relate to batteries, especially in wireless thermostatic heads and sensors. Irregular battery replacement or the use of low-quality batteries can lead to delayed system responses, temporary communication loss, and in extreme cases, incorrect heating operation.

Importantly, smart thermostats must include a safeguard that prevents room temperatures from dropping below levels required by building regulations. As a result, if batteries are fully depleted or critically low, the device automatically opens the heating valve to prevent excessive cooling.

The solution is simple, though often overlooked: use high-quality, branded batteries and respond promptly to low-battery notifications, before the device stops functioning properly.

Another common issue is overly complex initial configuration. Too many scenarios and schedules can create confusion rather than convenience. With intelligent heating, the principle of “less, but better” applies: a clear schedule, well-defined absence modes and gradual optimisation based on real usage. This keeps the system stable, predictable and genuinely supportive of comfort, rather than complicating it.

A Practical Takeaway for the Market

Our experience shows that intelligent heating is one of those solutions that very quickly stops being perceived as an “extra”. After just a few weeks of use, it becomes a new standard — one that is difficult to imagine living without in a comfortable and responsible home. In the context of rising energy prices and the growing importance of ESG, smart thermostats are not a trend, but a logical step in the evolution of modern residential buildings.