The future of protecting your home has arrived. Google Nest Protect revolutionises the alarm by  connecting to your Wi-Fi.

We&rsquo;ve all had a smoke alarm mishap. You&rsquo;re cooking breakfast and out of nowhere the alarm begins to shriek. Grabbing the nearest tea towel, you begin frantically waving at the sensor. It eventually stops, but at a cost. Your sausages are burnt.
The future of protecting your home has arrived. Google Nest Protect revolutionises the alarm by connecting to your Wi-Fi. Removing any stress and inconvenience of a conventional smoke alarm, whilst ensuring both your home and sausages are safe from any harm. Safeguard your home with the ultimate smoke alarm.&nbsp;
<h2> The voice of reason.&nbsp;</h2>
When the unthinkable happens, the Google Nest Protect tells you exactly where the danger is in your home. Clear, straightforward, and pronounced - the built-in voice is the alert that provides you with all of the necessary information to keep you and your family well protected.&nbsp;By connecting to your Wi-Fi, the Google Nest Protect communicates with the other Nest Protects in your home to reveal the location of any potential hazard. The voice gives you a &lsquo;heads up&rsquo; if there&rsquo;s smoke before setting off the alarm. It's clever, it&rsquo;s fast, and it could save your life.&nbsp;

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<h2>You&rsquo;ll be the first to know.&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
Always know the status of your home; receive alerts instantly. When you&rsquo;re not in, it&rsquo;s easy to overthink what might be happening in your family home. Now, that&rsquo;s a thing of the past.
 From sending you the battery status of your Google Nest Protect to showing you the safety history, the Nest app is perfect for putting your mind at rest.&nbsp;You can even silence an alarm if it accidentally starts going off, even when you&rsquo;re not in.&nbsp;
<img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1512149673953-1e251807ec7c?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&amp;ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1000&amp;q=80" alt="turned on Android smartphone" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="576" height="384">
<h2>Checks for carbon monoxide.</h2>
Not only does this clever gadget sense smoke and fire, but it&rsquo;s also designed to detect any carbon monoxide. Colourless, odourless, and with over 50 deaths a year; as well as 4,000 medical visits in the UK alone, carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer. Caused primarily by cookers, boilers, and heaters - everyone is at risk.&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s what makes the Google Nest Protect such an exciting and vital piece of tech. Google has thought of everything; they even claim the CO sensor lasts up to 10 years. It&rsquo;s the modern day canary down the mine, except no birds die.
As of October 2022, it is a legal requirement for UK boiler installation companies to provide a carbon monoxide alarm &ldquo;where a new or replacement fixed solid fuel appliance is installed in a dwelling.&rdquo; At BOXT, we&rsquo;re committed to giving all of our customers a CO alarm as standard, with the opportunity to upgrade to a Nest device, while other major UK boiler installation companies charge extra &pound;35 for even a basic carbon monoxide alarm.

<h2>Your very own guardian angel.</h2>
For the last 40 years, smoke detectors have been using the same sensors - but not this one. The Google Nest Protect uses a split spectrum sensor which means it can detect smoke, fire flames, and the speed of the fire. Get the latest cutting edge technology watching over you, 24/7.
As well as that, it recognises the difference between steam and smoke; what&rsquo;s dangerous and what&rsquo;s just your culinary skills. So you can finally cook your full English in peace, without the smoke alarm kicking off.&nbsp;
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Check out our guide on <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/smart-home-technology-what-is-it" rel="follow">smart home technology</a>&nbsp;for more information.
 Information in this article is correct as of 16/09/2020

With a Home Cover plan you can get peace of mind your system is in safe hands

The Google gadget every home needs

Don’t panic, this isn’t scaremongering, just some interesting advice that’ll have some positive results on your bank account.

For many of us, when we see something with a hefty price tag it immediately detracts us from purchasing - which is understandable. But sometimes spending extra could save your future self a whole lot of cash...
OK don&rsquo;t panic, this isn&rsquo;t one of those scaremongering articles reminding you how low on cash we all are. No, this is just some interesting advice that&rsquo;s guaranteed to have some positive results on your bank account.

<h2>Freshen up your boiler.</h2>
Buying a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/boiler-replacement" rel="follow">new boiler</a>. A chore that us homeowners have to go through at some point in our lives. A costly, unexciting investment where you&rsquo;d probably have more fun punching yourself repeatedly in the face. However, switching from an old boiler to a revitalised modern one really can save you big money - honest!
It&rsquo;s all to do with efficiency rating. The more efficient a boiler is the less energy is required to heat up your home. The less energy used, the more money you save. It just so happens that many of the newer models are rated A for <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/what-is-erp" rel="follow">efficiency</a>. See the benefits of a new boiler in your home and lower those energy bills, today.<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/guides/what-is-erp" rel="follow"></a>
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<h2>Get smart with your home.</h2>
Some might say that smart home technology is a glimpse into our impending AI takeover apocalypse. But If it means saving a few quid every month, I for one welcome our machine overlords.
You can get smart anything these days, from smart locks to smart bulbs - all controlled via an app or voice assistance. It&rsquo;s great, the apps show you how much your spending each month on energy bills so you know exactly what your hard earned cash is paying towards. This way, you can keep an eye on your energy spending without any surprises.&nbsp;
See our <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/our-favourite-smart-home-devices-of-2019" rel="follow">favourite smart home devices of 2019</a>.

<h2>The clever Google Nest Learning Thermostat.</h2>
The thermostat: you know that thing we never think about that&rsquo;s somewhere in our homes, but nobody knows where&hellip; A mysterious, yet important device that we should be constantly monitoring. Now thanks to the <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/improve-energy-savings-with-your-google-nest-learning-thermostat" rel="follow">Google Nest Learning Thermostat</a>, we can.&nbsp;
Control your heating via the app, wherever you are - why not set heating schedules as well? It&rsquo;s not only a convenient way of saving money but looks super stylish, too. Works excellently with voice assistance, all you have to do is connect to your smart home hub device - and away you go.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/improve-energy-savings-with-your-google-nest-learning-thermostat" rel="follow"></a>
&nbsp;
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<h2>Electric, efficient, clean.</h2>
Jeremy Clarkson&rsquo;s idea of hell, our planet&rsquo;s saviour. <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/electric-car-charging/guides/are-ultra-low-emission-vehicles-worth-it" rel="follow">Electric vehicles</a> are becoming increasingly popular, with Nissan selling over 400,000 in early 2019.&nbsp; But why are they so popular? Well, they&rsquo;re eco-friendly meaning zero emissions which is pretty useful for the environment. Also, they&rsquo;re way cheaper to run than other types of vehicles.&nbsp;
On average, gas guzzlers will cost you around &pound;10,000 to run for over six years, in contrast to EV which costs &pound;6,400. This is because no fuel is required, simply plug it in to an <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/ev-chargers" rel="follow">EV charger</a> station and you're done.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/electric-car-charging/guides/are-ultra-low-emission-vehicles-worth-it" rel="follow"></a>

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<h2>Super solar energy.</h2>
Contrary to popular belief, <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/solar" rel="follow">solar panels</a> don't need the scorching sun of the Sahara desert beaming directly over them to produce energy. All they need is standard daylight - perfect for our British weather.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Initially, solar energy is for sure a big investment. Roughly costing between &pound;3,600 - &pound;7,000, but once installed they can reduce your energy bills by 70%. Which means over time you&rsquo;ll see yourself getting that money back. Requiring very little maintenance and with a lifespan of between 30-40 years - it&rsquo;s reliable, sustainable, and effective.&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/8zhUB89ASU2QYgogisbj" alt="undefined" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/why-now-is-the-best-time-to-get-into-smart-home-tech" rel="follow"></a>

Save up to £98 a month on electricity bills with solar panels & battery storage

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5 investments that could save you plenty

Here at BOXT, we’re passionate about delivering top quality solutions for your home. Here we pick some great home gadgets for you to consider

Here at BOXT, we&rsquo;re passionate about delivering top quality <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers" rel="follow">boilers</a> and <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/air-conditioning" rel="follow">air conditioning</a> at a fair, fixed price.&nbsp; As well as that, we're also really in to modern <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/smart-home-technology-what-is-it" rel="follow">smart home technology</a>. So, with only a few weeks of 2019 left we&rsquo;re looking back at some of the smart home gadgets that have caught our eye this year.<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers" rel="follow"></a>
<h2>1). Google Nest Learning Thermostat</h2>

Much of smart home technology transforms something boring in our homes into an interesting and handy bit of tech. The <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/improve-energy-savings-with-your-google-nest-learning-thermostat" rel="follow">Google Nest Learning Thermostat</a> is no exception. It can set heating schedules, learn your routine, and can all be done on the Nest mobile app.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s a great way of saving money as well. Let&rsquo;s face it, none of us really think about thermostats when we&rsquo;re at home, it&rsquo;s normally tucked away on a wall somewhere. With the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, it makes you more aware of how much you're spending - so you can keep an eye on your heating habits. Combining a convenient app and stylish interface looks great wherever you decide to place it.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers/worcester-bosch-boilers" rel="follow"></a>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1qkSkOn4h-A" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2> 2). Amazon Echo</h2>
Your new best friend, Alexa, will help you with almost anything. From a weather update to playing the latest tunes - the Echo does it all. You can even make calls, set timers, and ask Alexa anything that&rsquo;s on your mind. The days of mobile surfing are over, the Echo is there to make your life easier, perfect for doing some online shopping - all you need to do is ask!&nbsp;
<h2> 3). Belkin WeMo Insight</h2>
The Belkin WeMo Insight, is the adapter that enables you to turn appliances on and off - wherever you are. You guessed it, this can all be done on the WeMo app and with voice assistance (if you have an Echo or Google Home product). 
This nifty gadget allows you to keep an eye on your energy costs, a useful tool for saving money. It tells you an estimated monthly cost and how long the plug has been in use for - meaning no more surprises when those bills arrive&hellip; Why not set energy schedules as well? Simply get on the app and it will tell you everything it knows - in real time, too.

<h2>4). Nest Protect</h2>
Give your home the ultimate protection. The Nest Protect is the smart smoke detector that everyone should be using. By downloading the app, you&rsquo;ll be aware of the status of your home at all times, by alerting your mobile when it senses smoke or carbon monoxide. This gadget epitomises peace of mind - perfect for all homes.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/METDdcmklVE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

<h2>5). Google Home Mini</h2>
Smaller than the Amazon Echo but a whole lot cheaper. We know it arrives earlier every year, but the Google Home Mini is the perfect gift for Christmas without breaking the bank. Still blessed with excellent sound quality, you&rsquo;ll be able to search the internet and do all of the smart things you&rsquo;d expect. Need to make a shopping list, can&rsquo;t find a pen and paper? No problem, simply say those magical &lsquo;Hey Google&rsquo; words and it&rsquo;ll remember it for you and send it to the Google Home app you&rsquo;ve downloaded.&nbsp;

<h2>6). August Smart Lock Pro</h2>
You read it correctly, there&rsquo;s actually a smart lock. The August Smart Lock Pro is a convenient way of locking and unlocking your door via an easy to use app on your smartphone. This means no more searching around for your keys and having a mini heart attack every time you think you&rsquo;ve lost them. It also works great with Amazon Echo and Google Home - you&rsquo;ll never have to do an awkward doorstep greeting again.
We&rsquo;ve all done it, leaving the house and having the &ldquo;did I lock the front door?&rdquo; mental quandary, it can be torture. Now, with the August Smart Lock Pro&rsquo;s &lsquo;automation&rsquo; setting, your door will automatically lock itself and provide a status via the app, so you don&rsquo;t have to remember or stress about a thing.&nbsp;
<h2></h2>
<h2>7). Philips Hue</h2>
Say goodbye to switching your lights on the manual way, it&rsquo;s in the dark ages now. &lsquo;Bring your home to life&rsquo; with the Philips Hue LED lamp bulbs. Once connected to your Wi-Fi and Google Home or Echo, you&rsquo;re able to control any of the Philips Hue lights in any room via voice assistance. Choose from a variety of colours and transform your living room - set a mood that&rsquo;s right for you. Like every other smart home device, it can be controlled wirelessly on the app.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/top-tech-to-look-out-for-in-2020" rel="follow"></a>

Our favourite smart home devices of 2019

Let BOXT's experts take you through how to use your Google Nest Learning Thermostat, and the benefits of upgrading to smart home technology.

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The Google Nest Thermostat is an incredibly clever piece of technology. As a learning thermostat, it &lsquo;learns&rsquo; from your day to day schedule to provide the best, most personal experience. Over time, your thermostat will automatically turn on and off. As well as updating room temperature at different times of the day to your own personal preferences. Better still, this <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/smart-thermostat-v-traditional-thermostat" rel="follow">smart thermostat</a> is the perfect tool to save you energy and money.&nbsp;
Using smart thermostat technology is super easy, and there are many ways you can use your new piece of technology to improve energy savings in your home. We'll take you through how to use your Google Nest Learning Thermostat, and the benefits of upgrading to <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/smart-home-technology-what-is-it" rel="follow">smart home technology</a>.&nbsp;
<h2></h2>
<h2>Installing your thermostat.</h2>
Before you can begin the learning process, you&rsquo;ll need to install your Google Nest technology. Simply follow your installation guide on how to connect it to your system, safely and properly.&nbsp;
<h2></h2>
<h2>Begin by teaching your thermostat.</h2>
Once your thermostat has been installed and you have control, you can then begin to help your thermostat learn your schedule. Actions such as walking in front of your thermostat to trigger the motion sensor, or altering the temperature of it to one that is comfortable for you will help it to adjust over time.&nbsp;
For example, if you usually turn down your thermostat before you go to bed or turn it up a few extra degrees in the mornings, your thermostat will recognise this pattern and begin to automatically adjust itself to match. The trick to saving energy is to teach it well. For example, turn down your heating in the evenings and your thermostat will begin to follow suit.&nbsp;
<h2></h2>
<h2>Understanding Eco Temperature.</h2>
Your Google Nest Learning Thermostat can switch to an Eco Temperature mode to conserve energy when there&rsquo;s no one home. If you&rsquo;re looking to further lower your energy usage, you can set your thermostat to Eco Temperature yourself if you don&rsquo;t mind a little cooler temperature. It can also use Home/Away Assist in collaboration with your phone&rsquo;s location to tell your thermostat when your family members have left home, and when they are likely to return.
<h2></h2>
<h2>Improve your energy savings with the Google Nest Learning Thermostat</h2>
There are many different ways you can use your learning thermostat to help improve the savings you make on your monthly energy bills. Here are a few things to try:&nbsp;
<h3>Turn down your thermostat by 1&deg;C.</h3>

Whether your Google Nest Learning Thermostat is set at 20&deg;C or 21&deg;C, you won&rsquo;t be able to tell the difference. It&rsquo;s recommended that you try and turn down your thermostat by as little as one degree to see the difference in your energy bill each month. That&rsquo;s all it takes. Better still, if you can turn it down more than one degree, you&rsquo;ll be saving even more - it&rsquo;s all about finding your comfort level and sticking with it
<h3>Don&rsquo;t turn it up if you want fast heat.</h3>
A higher temperature on your thermostat won&rsquo;t make your radiators heat up faster. If you want to ensure you have heating when you need it, you&rsquo;ll need to use the scheduling tools on your thermostat to set your heating in advance. No matter what temperature you set your thermostat to, your home will heat up at the same speed.&nbsp;
<h3>Time-To-Temperature.</h3>
A handy feature of your new Google Nest Learning Thermostat is the Time-To-Temperature, which you can see directly on the screen. This feature will tell you how long it takes for your home to heat up to your desired temperature. You should have a play around with this feature, but whatever your favoured heat temperature, it shouldn&rsquo;t take too long.&nbsp;
Nest Leaf.
The Nest Leaf will appear on the screen of your thermostat when you have an energy-saving temperature set. This isn&rsquo;t a set temperature for every household; the thermostat will learn what you&nbsp;normally use and, if you set your thermostat to a lower temperature, it will pick up on the fact that you are saving energy. Whenever you see the icon, you know you&rsquo;re saving energy - Just follow the leaf.
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<h2>Nest Thermostat compatibility.</h2>
It&rsquo;s important to make sure your Google Nest Learning Thermostat will work with your heating system. The thermostat has been created with a variety of systems in mind, but it&rsquo;s worth checking first before you purchase. If you&rsquo;re unsure, chat with one of our engineers on our live chat instantly.
<h4>Using Google Nest technology can help you to improve on the amount of energy you use.</h4>
A Google Nest Learning Thermostat could be the push you need to help you save energy and money. It&rsquo;s good to know that you have the support you need to make a change and get help and advice whenever you need it.
If you need more information about the Google Nest Learning thermostat, or you&rsquo;d like to speak to an engineer about your boiler&rsquo;s compatibility, get in touch with us instantly via our live chat.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/google-nest-v-hive-thermostats" rel="follow"></a>

Improve energy savings with your Google Nest Learning Thermostat

Here are some of the best ways Google can keep you and your family safe during the Christmas holidays.

Google is blazing the trail for new, innovative ways of keeping our families protected. From smoke alarms to fancy doorbells, they have some exciting technology that you may not be aware of. So without further ado, here are some of the best ways <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/what-is-a-google-hub-mini" rel="follow">Google Hub</a> can keep you and your family safe during the Christmas holidays.&nbsp;

<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/RhLE6VvwSie7NuyyWZVA" alt="Protect.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />

<h2>Google Nest Protect Smoke &amp; Carbon Monoxide Alarm.&nbsp;</h2>
Over Christmas, during the chaos of cooking the dinner, it&rsquo;s pretty easy to overcook the turkey or maybe even a couple of roast potatoes and without fail, setting off the smoke alarm. This leads to one heroic member of the family desperately wafting away the smoke with the tea towel - it&rsquo;s always a dramatic moment. The Google Nest Protect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm is what dreams are made of. In the event the smoke alarm innocently goes off, you can simply let the Nest Protect know via the Nest app with just a swipe of a finger. It&rsquo;s effortless. This clever smoke alarm also lets you know where in your home the potential hazard is coming from, thanks to the voice assistance. It&rsquo;s clever, easy to set up, and it could save your life.&nbsp;
As well as a proficient smoke alarm, the Google Nest Protect makes an excellent Carbon Monoxide detector. Designed to last for up to 10 years, Google has redefined the smoke alarm to create something that you and your family are out of harm&rsquo;s way.

<h2>Google Nest Learning Thermostat.</h2>
As the Christmas tunes keep reminding us - traditionally it gets a little bit nippy around the festive season. &rsquo;Baby it&rsquo;s cold outside&rsquo; this, &lsquo;Let it snow&rsquo; that, we&rsquo;re very much in the winter period. But if the warmth of Christmas spirit doesn&rsquo;t warm you up - then maybe the Google Nest Learning Thermostat will. Equipped with some of the most cutting edge technology, this smart thermostat allows you to control your heating directly from your mobile.&nbsp;
From increasing or decreasing the central heating temperature to turning it off or on, you&rsquo;re even able to set heating schedules with the Google Nest app - to fit perfectly around your day. It&rsquo;s a great way to save money, too. You&rsquo;ll be able to see exactly what temperature your heating is on at all times, wherever you are.&nbsp;
Here at BOXT, we have a selection of thermostats for you to choose from. If you&rsquo;re interested we offer them as an upgrade when you purchase one of our select combi boilers. For more information, why not give us a call on: 0800 193 7777. Alternatively, you can drop us a message on our live chat and speak to one of our <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/boilers" rel="follow">expert boiler engineers</a>.&nbsp;
Check out this guide for more information on the <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/improve-energy-savings-with-your-google-nest-learning-thermostat" rel="follow">Google Nest Learning Thermostat</a>.

<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/1KLs8mRYe6zh1wZEOTQC" alt="Nest Hello.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
<h2>Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell.&nbsp;</h2>
When the doorbell rings during the annual 'Santa Clause: The Movie' marathon, the last thing you want to do is get up, trek to the door, and miss out on all of Tim Allen&rsquo;s Santa banter. Luckily, Google has engineered an ingenious bit of tech. Devised with a HD camera, the Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell has a feature where you can see exactly who&rsquo;s outside your door straight from your mobile.&nbsp;
You can even have a chat with whoever is outside, even when you&rsquo;re not in. No more missing parcels or rushing to get your takeaway. It also provides you with a 24/7 live stream, so you&rsquo;ll know exactly who&rsquo;s outside your home at all times.&nbsp;

<h2>Google Nest Cam Outdoor Smart Security Camera.</h2>
Christmas can be a busy month for burglars, who (I assume) take a lot of inspiration from the Grinch in their attempts to steal Christmas. December 2016 recorded the highest rate of home burglaries in the UK with rates remaining high the following years. However, help is at hand. The Google Nest Cam Outdoor Smart Security Camera keeps a watchful eye on your property when no one else is. Did you know that installing a security camera can reduce the risk of any &lsquo;Grinch wannabes&rsquo; by up to 90%? An effective investment.&nbsp;
Intelligent as it is brilliant, the Google Nest Cam recognises when a person is in the vicinity of your property or if it&rsquo;s just a random &lsquo;thing&rsquo;. If it does see a person, it&rsquo;ll send you a notification immediately to your mobile, where you can then see a live stream of your home like the Google God you are. The Google Nest Cam even has night vision and records everything - it&rsquo;s the ultimate protection for your home and gives you the peace of mind we all need sometimes.&nbsp;

If you liked this article, check out our <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/the-ultimate-boxt-christmas-gift-guide" rel="follow">ultimate Christmas guide</a>.
Information in this article is correct as of 10/12/2020

You'll always be ready to go with a fast car charger installed at your home.

Here's how Google can keep you safe this Christmas

From fancy thermostats to some of the latest home security tech, here’s our top ten smart home gadgets to look forward to this Christmas.

Although this is probably the last thing you&rsquo;re thinking about this year, but somehow - it&rsquo;s almost Christmas. Whether we&rsquo;re all going to be opening presents over a Zoom call or wearing face masks at the dinner table - that remains unforeseen at the moment.
But one thing we can count on is the exciting <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/smart-home-technology-what-is-it" rel="follow">smart home gadgets</a> that are bound to be on everyone&rsquo;s Christmas list. From fancy thermostats to some of the latest technology from Google that is revolutionising home security - the possibilities are endless. But let&rsquo;s narrow it down, here&rsquo;s our top ten smart home gadgets to look forward to this Christmas&hellip;

<h2>1). Google Home Mini.&nbsp;</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/lqA7EQe4STSbd5dXQvop" alt="undefined" width="227" height="222" />

This is the perfect gift for Christmas. Affordable, compact, and a gadget for the whole family. If you&rsquo;re unsure what a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/what-is-a-google-hub-mini" rel="follow">Google Home Mini</a> does, let me explain. Basically, by saying the magic words &lsquo;Hey Google&rsquo;, followed by a question or anything that&rsquo;s on your mind. Such as, &lsquo;Hey Google, what&rsquo;s the weather like?&rsquo; or &lsquo;Hey Google, what&rsquo;s the capital of Lithuania?&rsquo; - the Google Home Mini will provide you with all the answers. It&rsquo;s the new way of &lsquo;Googling&rsquo; without actually picking up your mobile or laptop.&nbsp;
You can even connect this to your Netflix or TV. Simply say, &lsquo;Hey Google, play Elf on Netflix&rsquo; - and the Google Home Mini will do as you command without you having to move a muscle. Some may say it&rsquo;s lazy, but being lazy has never been so convenient and let&rsquo;s face it, cool.&nbsp;
It's possible to link this gismo to other devices in your home as most new technologies support the Google Home Mini. Almost anything can be connected to your Google Home Mini and pretty much everything in this article can. Welcome to the new era of home technology.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s great for Christmas parties too - or for those self-isolating - you can have Spotify listening parties. Invite up to five friends by clicking, &lsquo;See Listeners&rsquo; and then send them a link to join. Why not check out BOXT&rsquo;s <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1M0WbkTQTYmx2YUT9rQzNF?si=P3dwk71oRXSudWiswZ3ZZA" rel="follow">big boiler playlist on Spotify</a>? (We&rsquo;re very pleased with ourselves).
<h2> 2). Nest Protect Smoke Alarm and CO Detector.&nbsp;</h2>
Now that we&rsquo;re all spending much more time in our homes, it&rsquo;s important that they&rsquo;re as well protected as possible. Your home will be as secure as ever with the state of the art smoke alarm and detector, the <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/the-google-gadget-every-home-needs" rel="follow">Nest Protect</a>. It&rsquo;s perfect for putting minds at rest. Receive real life alerts to your mobile device and the battery status of your Nest Protect. You can even silence an alarm if you accidentally burn your roast potatoes. One less thing to stress about.&nbsp;
The built-in voice provides you with all of the necessary information to keep you and your family well protected. It reveals the exact location of any potential hazard. Safeguard your home over Christmas with this clever, life saving gadget.&nbsp;
<h2></h2>
<h2>3). Google Nest Learning Thermostat.</h2>
The thermostat has come a long way from just a small piece of plastic stuck on the wall. Sleek, cutting edge and surprisingly simple to use, the <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/google-nest-v-hive-thermostats" rel="follow">Google Nest Learning Thermostat</a> is exactly what every home needs. Not only does it provide you with a clear reading of your heating but it also allows you to regulate it.&nbsp;
Download the app and you&rsquo;ll experience all of the Google Nest Learning Thermostat&rsquo;s benefits. Turn your heating off, on, up, or down - you can even set heating schedules. Believe it or not, but as a result of keeping more of an eye on your heating - you can effortlessly save money on energy bills.&nbsp;
<h2> 4). ConnectSense Smart Outlet.&nbsp;</h2>
The ConnectSense Smart Outlet is the a plug but with a slight difference. You're able to switch on (or off) any device in your home by simply using your vocal chords. For this to work effectively, it must be paired with a <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/what-is-a-google-hub-mini" rel="follow">smart home hub</a>, such as a Google Home Mini or Echo Dot. But you can also download the ConnectSense app to control your electrical appliances directly from your phone - wherever you are.&nbsp;
This is a useful way of keeping track of how much energy your appliances are using and set heating schedules around it. An innovative way of saving energy, especially if you&rsquo;re one of those families that are always falling asleep in front of the TV on Christmas day. For a plug it may be on the expensive side, but in the long run you could save a lot of money for the amount of energy you save.&nbsp;
<h2> 5). August Smart Lock Pro.</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/X92GXS8LR72KjidiHyuC" alt="undefined" width="227" height="227" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />

The future of home security has arrived and it&rsquo;s everything you&rsquo;d expect. The August <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/would-you-trust-a-smart-lock" rel="follow">Smart Lock</a> Pro combines safety with cutting edge technology to provide you with the ultimate home lock over the Christmas period. Always losing your house keys? Then this was designed for you. All you need is your mobile - as the August Smart Lock Pro senses it as you as you approach.&nbsp;
No more fuss trying to find your keys - you&rsquo;ll have it on you at all times. It even connects to your Google Home Mini and Echo Dot - so you can let the inlaws in whilst you&rsquo;re busy arguing with your other half during a game of Pictionary.&nbsp;

<h2>6). Nest Cam Outdoor.</h2>
Another exciting gadget produced by the tech giants at Google is The Nest Cam Outdoor. Quick and easy to install, it redefines the basic &lsquo;CCTV&rsquo; camera. No more pixelated images and dodgy movements. Instead, a live feed straight to your mobile that&rsquo;s as clear as day.&nbsp;
The genius doesn&rsquo;t stop there. In fact, the Nest Cam Outdoor understands when it&rsquo;s a person walking past your home or just a thing. Ideal for the crimbo season, so you can relax with your family knowing the Nest Cam Outdoor is keeping a watchful eye on your home at all times.&nbsp;
<h2> 7). Philips Hue Lightbulb.&nbsp;</h2>
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Arguably the most affordable smart lightbulb on the market, the Philips Hue Lightbulb makes an excellent Christmas gift if you want to impress your parents. Play with colour and transform your living room to suit the atmosphere that&rsquo;s perfect for you and your family. By simply downloading the Philips Hue app, you&rsquo;ll be able to choose from a plethora of colours and control the bulb straight from your mobile.&nbsp;
<h2> 8). Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed.&nbsp;</h2>
Getting a good night sleep can be impossible sometimes - tossing and turning all night waiting for the z&rsquo;s to kick in. But still nothing. The Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed was crafted for exactly that reason. It&rsquo;s the smart bed that provides us with a greater understanding of our sleep. By using an app on your mobile device, you&rsquo;re able to view your sleep patterns, health metrics, and gain an insight into how you can improve your sleep.&nbsp;
This probably won&rsquo;t be a stocking filler, mind as it&rsquo;s more probably more on the expensive side. However, it highlights the possibilities of smart home technology and how far it&rsquo;s come.&nbsp;

<h2>9). Philips Hue Play Light Bar.</h2>
During Christmas, our living rooms are probably where we spend most of our time. Flicking through the channels, trying to find something we haven&rsquo;t seen for the 1000th time. Now you can freshen up your Christmas with the Philips Hue Play Light Bar. Compatible with the Google Home Mini, it&rsquo;s perfect for setting the mood during a family film. Choose from a range of exciting colours and revitalise your entertainment.&nbsp;

<h2>10). Tailwind iQ3 Smart Automatic Garage Controller.</h2>
Open and close your garage door by simply asking it to. No one wants to get out of the car when it&rsquo;s freezing, with the Tailwind iQ3 Smart Automatic Garage Controller - you can seamlessly exit and enter your garage without having to leave your passenger seat. Set schedules around your day and use voice commands as this clever piece of tech can connect to your Google Home Mini. Just don&rsquo;t forget to ask Google to open the garage door before you leave to do the big Christmas shop. It&rsquo;s easy, ground-breaking, and super convenient.&nbsp;

Top ten smart home tech for Christmas

Considered to be one of the best robot vacuums on the market, the Xiaomi Roborock gets on with the chore of cleaning - so you don’t have to.

If cleanliness is next to godliness then your home will be heaven on earth. Now thanks to the Xiaomi Roborock S6, your house will remain spotless throughout the whole day. Widely considered to be one of the best robot vacuums on the market, this is the smart vacuum that gets on with the chore of cleaning - so you don&rsquo;t have to.&nbsp;
Reliable, intelligent, and functional, this vacuum tackles any mess that&rsquo;s been made. Cleverly patrolling your house to ensure it&rsquo;s kept tidy, then taking itself back to the charging station when its battery is low. That&rsquo;s just one feature&hellip;&nbsp;
<h2>Smarten up your home.&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
Let&rsquo;s say your hands are full with the kids and something spills - it can be quite the inconvenience to go and pick up the dustpan and brush, get on your knees, and begin tirelessly brushing away; that&rsquo;s before you&rsquo;ve even found the thing.&nbsp;
So to make things easier, the Xiaomi Roborock enables you to connect to your <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/what-is-a-google-hub-mini" rel="follow">smart home hub</a>. Whether it&rsquo;s your Google Nest Mini or Echo Dot, all you have to do is say &lsquo;Hey Google&rsquo; or &lsquo;Alexa&rsquo; and your wish is the Roborock&rsquo;s command. The Roborock will then begin to hoover up any mess that&rsquo;s been made in your home.<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/what-is-a-google-hub-mini" rel="follow"></a>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/vbb7XyZ1RqCFTcHqMlCG" alt="undefined" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="290" height="412" />
<h2></h2>
<h2>A powerful vacuum.&nbsp;</h2>
Aside from it being intuitive and smart, the Xiaomi Roborock is an excellent vacuum cleaner. It can hoover virtually anything. From dust to any screws laying around, this smart device recognises exactly what needs to be cleaned up and its whereabouts. 
With 14 sensors, it treats your home as a map to which it navigates around. Targeting any spilled tomato sauce like a sanitary predator.&nbsp;
<h2><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/Cax8SpGToqvpKY3BfGrH" alt="undefined" width="565" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />Quietly getting on with the job.</h2>
Whilst everyone else is running away from the mess, Xiaomi Roborock glides elegantly towards it. Built with a powerful vacuum it effortlessly tidies your home whilst remaining ever so silent.&nbsp;The four unique suction settings provide flexibility to attack any mess on any surface. It&rsquo;s the housework hero.&nbsp;
<h2>Clean your home, even when you&rsquo;re not in.</h2>
By simply downloading the Xiaomi Home app from your mobile&rsquo;s app store, you&rsquo;ll be able to control the robo-vacuum from wherever you are. Set it to clean the entirety of your house or select specific rooms.&nbsp;
Here, it tells you the battery life of your Roborock, how long it took to clean during its last cleaning session, and even allows you to set a cleaning schedule. That way if you&rsquo;re having friends over, you can be sure your home will be glistening by the time they arrive.&nbsp;

Information in this guide correct as of 30/09/2020

The ultimate smart vacuum

With an array of thermostats available, we’ve narrowed it down to the two that have impressed us the most: Google Nest and Hive.

It can be difficult sometimes trying to figure out which brand is best for you. Do you buy an iPhone or Samsung? Nike or Adidas? Worcester or Viessman? There&rsquo;s no exception when it comes to <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/smart-thermostat-v-traditional-thermostat" rel="follow">smart thermostats</a>. That&rsquo;s why we at BOXT are trying to make your life easier. With an array of thermostats available, ranging from the good, the bad, and the ugly - we&rsquo;ve narrowed it down to the two that have impressed us the most: Google Nest and Hive.&nbsp;
Both cutting edge, both innovative, and both highly convenient. So which one should you spend your hard earned cash on? In this helpful guide, we&rsquo;ll be taking you through all of the nifty features Google Nest and The Hive have to offer and explain how it all works. Read on for more thermostat stats...
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/yUIOqc04SpukMhBAGMEH" alt="undefined">
<h2>How does a Smart Thermostat work?</h2>
A smart thermostat, also known as a digital thermostat, enables you to control the temperature of any room in your home - directly from your mobile. Turn your heating on or off, increase or decrease the degrees Celsius in your living room, and set heating schedules - the power is in your hands!
Thanks to the convenience of smart thermostats, you become more consciously aware of your heating habits. Unlike a traditional thermostat which is out of sight, out of mind - a smart thermostat is connected to your mobile via an app, meaning you&rsquo;re interacting with it more regularly. So you&rsquo;ll know exactly what your boiler&rsquo;s activities are, even when you&rsquo;re not there. It&rsquo;s the perfect tool for saving money, energy, and as a result - the environment.&nbsp;
Google Nest simply connects to your Wi-Fi and central heating. You&rsquo;ll be in full command over the temperature of your boiler. Depending on what brand of smart thermostat you have - you&rsquo;ll have to download their bespoke app.&nbsp;
Hive requires a &lsquo;hub&rsquo; that connects to a broadband router via an Ethernet cable. This is then plugged in to a three plug socket to power it.

<h2>Google Nest Learning Thermostat</h2>
<h3>Always &lsquo;learning&rsquo;.</h3>
By pushing the boundaries of modern home technology, the Google &lsquo;Learning&rsquo; Thermostat has excelled at becoming one of the most advanced thermostats available.&nbsp;
Remarkably, Google Nest &lsquo;learns&rsquo; your heating habits and adjusts accordingly. This means that it automatically updates your heating schedule to make it unique to you and your home. Depending on the weather outside, Google Nest learns how long it will take to heat up your home and may switch on earlier or later.
<h3>Ground-breaking technology.</h3>
Another feature that separates Google Nest from other smart thermostats is the built in Farsight sensor. By sensing any movement within 20 feet, it wakes up the screen providing the Google Nest Learning Thermostat with the necessary information to be aware if anyone is at home. If no one is in, then it will turn OFF until it recognises any motion within your home - to conserve power. This also learns from this and may shift the heating schedule around this activity.&nbsp;
Practically speaking, Farsight makes the Google Nest Learning Thermostat far more engaging. It shows you the time, the weather, and the temperature which can be effortlessly read from across the room - courtesy of the smooth and clear interface.&nbsp;
<h3>Accuracy - wherever you are.</h3>
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat takes full advantage of GPS technology - providing you with the precision you need with you heating. If you permit Google Nest to connect to your GPS - you&rsquo;ll be able to use the Geolocation feature. This works out how far away from home you are and will customise the temperature. Google Nest's smart thermostat completely adapts to your schedule correspondingly. So you&rsquo;ll always be entering into a warm home.&nbsp;
This home/away setting means you don&rsquo;t have to constantly change the heating schedule. It reads your location, and learns from this and turns the heat up or down accordingly - always keeping an eye on things.&nbsp;
<h3>An energy saver.</h3>
Another interesting feature is the OpenTherm compatibility. This is a protocol that controls how fast the boiler is running when the heating is on. For example, as the heating gets to the set temperature, it backs off to remove any possibility of overshooting the temperature. Saving you energy as a result.&nbsp;
<h3>Safety first.</h3>
For optimum safety, the &lsquo;Nest Protect&rsquo; is a carbon monoxide and smoke detector which directly alerts you via your mobile if anything unusual is detected. Its ability to self test enhances the convenience and simplicity of it.&nbsp;
Accompanied by a &lsquo;Nest Protect&rsquo; app where you&rsquo;ll be able to check the status, battery, and if any carbon monoxide or smoke has been detected. It will also give you the date and time of the last time you had a test and the status of your internet connection. This is a product that is sold separately to the thermostat, but it highlights the possibilities you can receive when using the Google Nest Learning Thermostat.&nbsp;

center

<h2>Hive Thermostat</h2>
<h3>Tailored to your preferences.&nbsp;</h3>
The Hive thermostat is a modern piece of equipment that is highly customisable. You&rsquo;ll be able to set a temperature that is built around your schedule, so you don&rsquo;t have to keep turning it on and off every five minutes. This can be problematic as once a schedule has been set, people don&rsquo;t tend to adjust the temperature to their new routines. Unlike the <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/improve-energy-savings-with-your-google-nest-learning-thermostat" rel="follow">Google Nest Learning Thermostat</a> which moulds around any changes to your routine automatically.&nbsp;
Although, Hive provides you with the option of arranging up to six time slots everyday with a range of settings and options. Giving you more room to personalise you smart thermostat. Installed with a &lsquo;ready by&rsquo; mode is a hugely beneficial feature which makes sure you home reaches a set temperature at a certain time rather than just starting to climb to that temperature.
<h3>Great portability.&nbsp;</h3>
A huge advantage of using Hive is that it functions as a battery powered device. So you can place it anywhere in your home and set up pretty simply. Hive requires a &lsquo;hub&rsquo; that connects to a broadband router via an Ethernet cable. This is then plugged in to a three plug socket to power it. In comparison to the Google Nest Learning Thermostat which is powered by the wires in the existing thermostat - you will need a professional to install it properly.

<h2>They&rsquo;re not so different, Google Nest and Hive&hellip;</h2>
Although they may have their differences, Google Nest and Hive do have a lot in common. Firstly, they&rsquo;re both blessed with a beautifully designed and simple to use interface. This means they&rsquo;re super easy to interact with and look great wherever you place it in your home. Anyone can figure out how to use them, removing any complexities and technical terms - so you can avoid any confusion!&nbsp;
Following the trend of voice assistance - the two of them feature voice control. This means if you connect the smart thermostats to your Amazon Echo, you&rsquo;ll be able to control the heating temperature with your voice - optimum convenience.&nbsp;
Practically they are equally well functioning and clever thermostats. Both have the ability to prevent your pipes from freezing. They do this by recognising when there&rsquo;s a drop in temperature then activating the heating. This means you won&rsquo;t have to worry about any damage to your pipes, and allows you to consistently have warm water in your home.

<h2>So, should you buy a Google Nest or a Hive?</h2>
Above all, Hive and Google Nest are top quality products that are continuously improving and adding features. It may just come down to the tiny details such as Google Nest permitting you to heat up to 20 zones than opposed to Hive&rsquo;s three. Or a design function, such as Hive&rsquo;s enhanced portability. Fundamentally, they both save you money, energy, and are more eco friendly - but for us, the Google Nest takes the top spot!

Google Nest V Hive thermostats

Let BOXT's experts talk you through the pros and cons of a smart thermostat versus a traditional thermostat.

Technology is advancing, fast. That&rsquo;s why we at BOXT make it our mission to keep you up to date with all of the latest toys the home installation world has to offer. In this handy guide, we&rsquo;ll be focusing on smart thermostats and traditional thermostats.
How does a smart thermostat improve your life? Might it just be a case of &lsquo;If it isn&rsquo;t broke, don&rsquo;t fix it&rsquo;? We&rsquo;ll be taking you through the pros and cons of a smart thermostat - versus a traditional thermostat - and finding out whether or not making the switch is really worth it. The heat is on...

<h2>What puts the SMART into a smart thermostat?&nbsp;</h2>
Smart thermostats, also known as digital thermostats, allow you to have full control over your heating system - wherever you are. Feeling a bit chilly in your home? No need to get up. With a smart thermostat, you&rsquo;re able to adjust your heating with just a single push of a button from your mobile device - even when you&rsquo;re not at home. This cutting edge piece of technology means you don&rsquo;t have to move a muscle when altering the temperature. In comparison to a traditional thermostat, which requires you to manually move towards wherever your thermostat pad is located and adjust accordingly.
<h3>Control your heating - wherever you are.</h3>
We&rsquo;ve all been there. Rushing to leave for work and getting halfway there realising you&rsquo;ve left the heating on - It can be a waste of money and frustrating to say the least. You won&rsquo;t experience this with a smart thermostat. Simply turn off the heating directly from your mobile phone and let the thermostat do the rest - easy.&nbsp;
Designed primarily for your convenience, it also monitors your usage so you can keep an eye on how much you&rsquo;re spending. When compared with a traditional thermostat which is left out of sight and consequently - out of mind. The smart thermostat also gives you the license to adjust the temperature in a specific room. Again, saving you energy and money.&nbsp;
<h3>Set your heating schedule.</h3>
You&rsquo;re able to set different temperatures throughout the day by creating a heating schedule. That way, you can have the perfect heating at any time without having to constantly increase or decrease the temperature. This can all be completed from an app on your mobile.
Although they are a costly investment initially -&nbsp; it could be a smart move. Due it&rsquo;s efficiency, precision, and convenience - you&rsquo;ll be aware of your heating spending and habits. Also, you&rsquo;ll always be kept to up to date - meaning you&rsquo;re likely to save money in the long run.
<h3>How does a smart thermostat work?</h3>
A smart thermostat connects your Wi-Fi and your heating system. The highly sensitive sensors take a precise reading of a chosen room&rsquo;s temperature and then adjusts accordingly. Depending on what type of thermostat you have, you&rsquo;ll have to download their bespoke app.
In some cases, all that is required is the thermostat itself. This is because it connects directly to your Wi-Fi meaning no additional cables. Some smart thermostats need an Ethernet cable and a &lsquo;hub&rsquo; box. Still both easy to set up.&nbsp;
<h2>Types of smart thermostats.&nbsp;</h2>
The two most popular types of smart thermostats are Hive and Google Nest Learning Thermostat:
<h3>Hive.&nbsp;</h3>
The <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/google-nest-v-hive-thermostats" rel="follow">Hive thermostat</a> is a modern piece of equipment that is highly customisable. You&rsquo;ll be able to set a temperature that is built around your schedule, so you don&rsquo;t have to keep turning it on and off every five minutes. This can be problematic as once a schedule has been set, people don&rsquo;t tend to adjust the temperature to their new routines. Unlike Google Nest which moulds around any changes to your routine automatically. Although, Hive provides you with the option of arranging up to six time slots everyday with an array of settings and options. Giving you more room to personalise you smart thermostat.&nbsp;
One advantage of using the Hive is that it functions as a battery powered device. So you can place it anywhere in your home and set up pretty simply. Hive requires a &lsquo;hub&rsquo; that connects to a broadband router via an Ethernet cable. This is then plugged in to a three plug socket to power it. In comparison to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/guides/improve-energy-savings-with-your-google-nest-learning-thermostat" rel="follow">Google Nest Learning Thermostat </a>which is powered by the wires in the existing thermostat - you will need a professional to install it properly.
<h3>Google Nest&nbsp;Learning Thermostat.</h3>
What makes the Google Nest Learning Thermostat so unique is that it's a &lsquo;learning thermostat&rsquo;. This means that it automatically updates your schedule to make it bespoke to you and your home. Depending on the weather outside, Google Nest learns how long it will take to heat up your home and may switch on earlier or later. Always moulding around you and your heating habits.&nbsp;

<h3>Innovative Google Nest features.</h3>
Unlike the Hive thermostat, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat is fitted with a Farsight sensor feature. This is a motion sensor that wakes up the screen when any motion is sensed - for example, when walking past it. Consequently, this authorises the Google Nest Learning Thermostat to determine whether or not someone is in the home. It will turn itself OFF when no motion is recognised and ON when it is.
If you permit the Google Nest Smart Thermostat to connect to your GPS - you&rsquo;ll be able to use the Geolocation feature. This works out how far away from home you are and will customise the temperature. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat completely adapts to your schedule correspondingly. So you&rsquo;ll always be entering into a warm home.&nbsp;
Another interesting feature on the Google Nest is the OpenTherm compatibility. This is a protocol that controls how fast the boiler is running when the heating is on. For example, as the heating gets to the set temperature, it backs off to remove any possibility of overshooting the temp. Saving you energy as a result.&nbsp;
<h3>Safety First.</h3>
For optimum safety, the &lsquo;Nest Protect&rsquo; is a carbon monoxide and smoke detector which directly alerts you via your phone if it goes off. Its ability to self test enhances the convenience and simplicity of it. Hive have no equivalent. An additional benefit of the Google Nest is that it connects through your Wi-Fi. In comparison to Hive which requires an Ethernet cable and hub.&nbsp;&nbsp;
So whatever smart thermostat you go for you can be rest assured that they&rsquo;re both remotely controllable meaning your far more likely to interact with it, saving you money and energy in the long run.
<h2>What is a Traditional Thermostat?</h2>
A no nonsense tool.&nbsp; A traditional thermostat regulates the temperature in your home. If you feel the need to modify the warmth, simply locate the thermostat pad and change to your suited temperature.&nbsp;
Whether you want to higher or lower the temperature, you&rsquo;ll be able to set it using the buttons on the control pad and set a degree that&rsquo;s best for you. Although it won&rsquo;t have the flexibility and precision of a digital thermostat, a traditional thermostat is far more affordable. As long as you place the control pad somewhere in your home you frequently walk past or a room you spend most of your time in - that way it won&rsquo;t be forgotten about and money won&rsquo;t be wasted.
<h2>How does a Traditional Thermostat work?</h2>
Similarly to a smart thermostat, you&rsquo;ll be able to set a timer on your control pad. If you&rsquo;re planning on going out, the heating will turn off automatically - therefore saving you money.&nbsp;
The metallic pieces of metal within the thermostat sensor need time to heat up. Which is why you may not feel the full effects of the temperature change immediately. As these metals become shorter and longer the circuit connected to your heating is switched on and off.&nbsp;
<h2>&nbsp;Where do smart thermostats go?</h2>
All smart thermostats are fitted directly onto a chosen wall. Ideally, it would be somewhere you regularly walk past. This way you can always check what temperature it is and easily change to a desired heat.&nbsp;
<h2>Which thermostat is right for me?</h2>
Although a traditional thermostat doesn&rsquo;t come with all of the bells and whistles of a smart thermostat - It does cost considerably less. At an affordable price, you&rsquo;ll still be able to regulate your heat but without the added precision and convenience of a smart thermostat.&nbsp;
This is an exciting time for home heating. The smart thermostat is quickly becoming a popular gadget and will save you money and energy in the long run. Becoming more conscious of your heating habits and having more control - essentially helps to build that perfect home environment - so you can live your life stress-free.&nbsp;

Smart thermostat V Traditional thermostat

We’re putting smart home locks under the microscope to find out what makes them such an exciting piece of technology.

What if your home door key was your mobile phone? The rise of Echo Dot and Google Home Nest means that most things in your home have the potential to be smart. From coffee machines to light bulbs - the sky&rsquo;s the limit. That&rsquo;s no exception for door locks. <a href="https://www.boxt.co.uk/smart-home/smart-home-technology-what-is-it" rel="follow">Smart home technology</a> has now spread its wings into home security - as a new, convenient way of protecting our homes.&nbsp;
But do we place too much trust in smart home technology? We&rsquo;re putting smart locks under the microscope to find out what makes them such an exciting piece of tech, and why some people may be hesitant to open their family doors to them.&nbsp;
<h2> What is a smart lock?</h2>
The smart lock is the future of home security. It&rsquo;s the gadget that takes away the stress of finding your keys and the mental squabble of trying to remember if you&rsquo;ve locked the door. By simply downloading an app, which can connect to your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you&rsquo;ll be able to have full control over the accessibility of your home.
 You&rsquo;re even able to make schedules and set timers, too. Let&rsquo;s say you're expecting an engineer at your home, you can let them in wherever you are via the mobile app. Some of the leading brands include: August, Yale, Nest, Schlage, and RemoteLock - so it's worth having a shop around. Research is key.&nbsp;

<img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1558002038-1055907df827?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&amp;ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1000&amp;q=80" alt="gold Apple iPhone smartphone held at the door" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="592" />
<h2> Ultra convenient.</h2>
Most people tend to have their mobiles on them at all times. That&rsquo;s what makes the smart lock so clever. As you approach your door, hands full of groceries no doubt, the lock senses your mobile as you approach and opens the door involuntarily. Convenient, user-friendly, and dependable - it&rsquo;s perfect for those busy family homes.&nbsp;
<h2>Connects to your smart hub.</h2>
If you&rsquo;re feeling extra lazy, smart locks work great with voice assistance. By connecting your Echo or Google Home Nest, you can voice a command to open the door without moving a single muscle. It&rsquo;s as easy as that.&nbsp;
<img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1558089687-f282ffcbc126?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&amp;ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1000&amp;q=80" alt="white and gray Google smart speaker and two black speakers" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="595" />
<h2> What if you don&rsquo;t have your mobile?</h2>
This is the bit that makes people anxious. As groundbreaking as this technology may be, things can go wrong. There&rsquo;s always the chance you could lose your phone or your battery dying. What if the Wi-Fi suddenly ceases to connect? Then how do you get back in? Smash your own window? Why not go the whole hog; pop on a balaclava and steal your own TV. Save the burglar a back straining job.&nbsp;
Not to worry. All you have to do is download your smart lock app (depending on which smart lock brand you&rsquo;re using) on another smartphone device, fill in your login information - and you should be able to regain access to your home (without breaking and entering).&nbsp;
If you don&rsquo;t have another device - many smart locks do come with a pin code as well as a normal key entry. For peace of mind, It might be handy to keep a key in a safe pocket before you leave your house, just in case. You could even wear it around your neck; pretend you&rsquo;re on a quest. It&rsquo;s up to you, Frodo.&nbsp;

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