Britons are preparing for a rise in their energy bills with the recent increase in the energy price cap. Effective from October 1, the price cap for gas and electricity has climbed to £1,755 annually for a typical household, as reported by Ofgem.
This adjustment signifies a 2% increase from the previous cap of £1,720 set between July 1 and September 30. Gas prices have surged to 6.29p per kWh with a daily standing charge of 34.03p, while electricity costs now stand at 26.35p per kWh with a daily standing charge of 53.68p.
In response to these changes, consumers shopping on Amazon have found a way to reduce their heating expenses by utilizing the Meross Smart Thermostat to manage their electric underfloor heating. This energy-saving device is currently discounted by over 20% in anticipation of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, marked down from £59.99 to £47.49.
The Meross Smart Thermostat enables individuals to take charge of their heating costs by providing features such as energy monitoring, remote temperature control, and multi-room management. It allows for programming of underfloor heating schedules for up to eight periods daily, catering to needs like pre-warming in the morning or upon returning home from work, and offers insights into daily and weekly energy usage through the Meross app.
Designed with air and floor sensors for precise temperature control within a range of 5-35°C, the thermostat ensures accuracy within 0.5°C. Additionally, it includes a feature that automatically stops heating when an open window is detected to prevent energy wastage, potentially leading to cost savings of up to 30%, according to the manufacturer, as reported by the Express.
The Meross Smart Thermostat boasts a sleek glass touch panel, a child lock function, and facilitates an effortless setup process with a step-by-step video guide. It is compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free control.
It is important to note that the thermostat requires 2.4GHz WiFi, installation in a standard 86mm or 67mm box, and a power supply with live and neutral wires. While the Meross Smart Thermostat does not offer control for heating or hot water systems, this functionality is available in competing models like the Hive Thermostat for Heating and Hot Water Control (£155).
As the colder months approach, alternative heating options include Dunelm’s 2000W Oil Filled Radiator (£49), which reportedly costs 45p per hour to run, and a plug-in heater available at Argos, touted to be more cost-effective than central heating at just 13p per hour.
Many Amazon customers have turned to the Meross Smart Thermostat to manage their energy bills, giving the device a rating of 4.4 stars based on nearly 600 reviews. Satisfied users have praised its ease of installation, scheduling capabilities, remote control features, and energy-saving benefits.
While some users have experienced occasional connectivity issues with certain smart home platforms, others have lauded the thermostat for its straightforward installation process and improved functionality compared to previous models.