Are Most Heat Pump Controllers Unfit for Homeowners?

In this power-packed Homeowners’ Q&A episode, we explore one of the most important but misunderstood areas of heat pump ownership: heat pump controllers and smart TRVs and thermostats.

Graham Hendra, Richard Burrows, Simon Baseden and Darren Jones unpack how poor control logic, bad commissioning and misunderstood third-party systems can destroy efficiency. From the failure of smart TRVs to why most manufacturer controls are utterly unfit for homeowners, this is a no-filter, deep-dive discussion you won’t want to miss.

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0:00 Intro
1:43 What role does the heat pump controller play in improving system efficiency?
3:17 Is the main controller responsible for load compensation?
5:10 Should you have additional controls around the house for maximum efficiency?
6:26 Why do installers roll their eyes at simple on/off controls?
9:42 How do you align physical controls with weather and load compensation?
12:01 Why using thermostats individually is the wrong approach for heat pumps
13:22 Are smart TRVs a worthwhile investment?
18:04 What is an FRV valve and how does it help with radiator balancing?
19:14 Is it sensible for homeowners to invest in third-party smart controls?
22:09 Should heat pumps just work without user input — and why isn’t that happening?
27:58 Why are manufacturer-supplied controllers often so poor?
29:49 Can third-party controls harm the heat pump if misconfigured?
33:08 Is there a place for products like Tado in heat pump systems?
37:11 The complexity of heat pump controls and how products like Adia help manage water flow
40:14 How long does it take homeowners to realise something’s gone wrong?
42:14 Controller complexity and installer coding challenges
43:40 Conclusion
43:48 Outtakes