Transforming a Failing Heating System
When we talk about a smart heating system upgrade, it often brings to mind slick apps and clever thermostats. But the truth is, a reliable smart system always begins with the basics: good wiring, clear labelling, and properly maintained equipment.
This case study from a private home in Esher, Surrey shows exactly what can happen when those basics are ignored. The property featured a ground source heat pump, a boiler back-up, a thermal store, and an immersion heater. On paper, it should have been a comfortable, efficient system. In practice, it was anything but.
The homeowner had lived with unreliable heating, rooms that never reached temperature, spiralling energy costs, and unsafe wiring for years. Even after spending money with other contractors, the same problems kept coming back.
That’s when we stepped in. Our task? As smart home automation experts we needed to complete a smart heating system upgrade using the Heatmiser Neo platform. We needed to diagnose every fault, rectify unsafe work to hand back a heating system the homeowner could finally trust.
Although this work was carried out in Surrey, we’re based in Devon and most of our projects are across the South West. We don’t often travel this far, but when a system needs a total rethink, we’re more than happy to take it on.
Read on to find out how we tackled this smart heating system upgrade or watch the full video below.
Initial Assessment
The first walk-through told us everything we needed to know. The plant room was a mess of poor pipework, failing controls, and years of patch-up jobs. The ground source heat pump was limping along on just one compressor, the immersion heater casing was cracked and unsafe, and thermostats had been miswired.
Upstairs, manifolds were filled with sludge even though a “flush” had supposedly been done. Flow meters were stuck, cables had been crushed behind plasterboard, and thermostats had never been properly connected.
Some rooms had never heated up in 15 years. Others overheated to 24°C with no way of controlling them.
It was a perfect storm of bad design, poor installation, and lack of maintenance.
Key Challenges We Found
During our full system audit, these issues stood out:
- A failing heat pump compressor making the system inefficient.
- Incorrect manifold labelling and crossed circuits.
- Sludge and corrosion clogging valves and actuators.
- Inappropriate use of Cat5 data cabling for thermostat wiring.
- Faulty thermostats and damaged cables, some hidden in walls for 15 years.
- Immersion heater safety hazards, including cracked housings and loose earthing.
- Flow meters stuck open or closed, leading to misleading readings.
It was clear this wasn’t a case of swapping out a controller and hoping for the best. The entire system needed re-engineering from the ground up.
Delivering the Smart Heating System Upgrade
We approached this project systematically, tackling each fault and rebuilding the system to modern standards.
Heatmiser Neo Installation
The outdated Heatmiser UH1 units were removed and replaced with a Heatmiser Neo UH8. Paired with the NeoHub, this gave the homeowner full app-based control of their heating from any smartphone or tablet.
We installed booster plugs across the property to ensure strong wireless coverage – a must in larger homes where signal strength is often an issue. Each new thermostat was calibrated against a professional temperature probe, eliminating the 2–3°C discrepancies the client had lived with for years.
Learn more about our Heatmiser Installer services.
Manifold and Actuator Replacement
Old sludge-filled manifolds were removed and replaced with brand new, clean units. Every actuator was swapped out and tested individually. By the end of this stage, all rooms could be properly controlled. No more overheated bedrooms or freezing lounges.
Heating Circuit Identification & Re-Labelling
This was meticulous work. We tested every underfloor heating loop, confirmed exactly which room it served, and relabelled it clearly. We then produced a written report for the homeowner so that any future maintenance would be straightforward.
Correct labelling might sound simple, but it’s one of the most important steps in creating a reliable smart heating system. Without it, engineers end up guessing and homeowners pay the price in inefficiency.
Electrical Safety and Rewiring
We replaced unsuitable Cat5 cabling with proper heat-rated flex, installed new double sockets for the control gear, and upgraded the network to an 8-port PoE+ switch.
We also discovered and repaired multiple damaged cables hidden behind walls and under floors. In one case, thermostat cables had been crushed by screws during the original install. It was one of the main reasons the lounge had never warmed up properly.
Immersion Heater Rectification
The immersion heater was unsafe and underperforming. We tested the elements, confirmed resistance readings were outside safe limits, and scheduled a full replacement. Given this was responsible for boosting hot water temperatures for Legionella protection, correcting it was critical.
Return Visit – Final Commissioning
After the plumber replaced the heat pump, we returned to carry out final commissioning. We installed an additional hallway thermostat, balanced the zoning on the UH8, tested all booster plug communications, and ran the entire system through the app.
For the first time in 15 years, this homeowner finally had a fully functional, safe, and efficient smart heating system.
Results
After upgrading the Smart Heating System, the difference was night and day:
- Full zoned control via Heatmiser Neo app – easy, intuitive, and reliable.
- No more hot and cold spots – every room now heats evenly.
- Improved efficiency – reducing wasted energy and unnecessary strain on the heat pump.
- Future-proofed system – with proper cabling, correct labelling, and reliable components.
- Remote monitoring and control – giving the homeowner confidence wherever they are.
The total project cost was £35,000, covering plumbing, electrical, and smart control upgrades. For a system of this scale, the investment has paid back in peace of mind, comfort, and long-term efficiency.
Why a Proper Smart Heating Upgrade Matters
This case study highlights a crucial point: smart heating isn’t just about fancy thermostats. Without correct wiring, safe immersion heaters, clean manifolds, and properly labelled circuits, even the best tech won’t work as intended.
We see this all too often – homes fitted with expensive heating equipment that’s been let down by poor installation. That’s why our approach always starts with a full system audit and finishes with rigorous commissioning.
Ready for Your Own Smart Heating System Upgrade?
If your heating system is unresponsive, difficult to control, or inefficient, it’s time to take action. Whether it’s underfloor heating actuators sticking, thermostats misreading, or old Heatmiser controls past their best – we can help.
We’re specialists in Heatmiser Neo installation and troubleshooting, as well as complete smart heating and cooling upgrades. Most of our work is in Devon and across the South West, but we take on complex projects nationwide when required.
Explore our Heatmiser Installer services.
See how we can help with Smart Heating & Cooling upgrades.Don’t put up with poor heating any longer. Get in touch today and let us design a smart heating system upgrade that is efficient, reliable, and built to last. Thanks for reading.
