Buying guide

Smart controls for heat pumps

By COMANORA· Updated 5 November 2026· 6 min read

Draft for owner review — wording and facts to be checked against sources before launch.

No link on this page earns COMANORA any money. How we're funded

Why heat pumps are different

Heat pumps are most efficient when they run steadily at a lower flow temperature, rather than heating up quickly and switching off. Controls designed for boilers don’t always suit that, which is why some manufacturers make dedicated heat-pump products.

Check compatibility first

Heat-pump compatibility is model-specific:

Hive says heat-pump compatibility for the Thermostat Mini is not guaranteed.
Wiser says its kits interface with heat pumps through on/off control only.
tado° lists its Smart Thermostat X Starter Kit as compatible with most heat pumps, and sells a separate Heat Pump Optimizer X for air-to-water, water-to-water and geothermal heat pumps, with a model list on its website.

Always check your exact heat-pump model against the manufacturer’s list, and ask your installer before changing controls. Some installations involve opening the heat-pump unit.

Subscriptions to watch

tado° Balance, which works only with the Heat Pump Optimizer X, costs £5.99 a month or £49.99 a year after the three months included with purchase (as listed by tado° on 5 November 2026). Add that to the running cost if you plan to keep it.