Eve Adds Thread Support to HomeKit-Enabled Thermo Smart Radiator Valve

[MacRumors]

Eve today released an update to its latest version of the Eve Thermo that adds Thread support to the HomeKit-enabled smart radiator valve (via HomeKitNews).

The update fulfills a pledge the German company made late last year to bring Thread support to several products, and follows its inclusion in devices like the Eve Energy Smart plug (fourth generation), Eve Aqua (second generation), Eve Weather, and Eve Door & Window (third generation).

As a quick explainer, Thread is a low latency and low power mesh-like network for smart devices. Unlike Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, the Thread standard doesn't depend on a router or hub. Instead, the smart device itself extends the network by talking to other Thread-enabled devices, thereby boosting the signal between them.

Apple's HomePod mini and the latest Apple TV 4K act as Thread border routers, and by adding Thread-supported devices around the home, users can typically expect improved connectivity compared to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, a wider control range, and more remote scheduling options.

In related news, version 5.3 of the Eve app adds support for its upcoming HomeKit-enabled MothionBlinds, which are expected to launch sometime this year.

Article Link: Eve Adds Thread Support to HomeKit-Enabled Thermo Smart Radiator Valve

 

[klunernet]

I wish the energy bar would also get an update. been waiting for that one.

 

[mgmacius]

€70 for a thermostat? One?! I have around 12-15 radiators around the house, give or take. A thousand euros for what? A fancy app?

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

It might be time for me to switch to a new non Nest setup and use these Eve thermostats. I currently have four Nest thermostats controlling three zoned rooms and one for the rest of the radiator system but it'd be really nice to be able to control the radiators seperately in that last circuit. I've always been hoping Nest would add radiator valves or at least play ball better with Apple devices but it's been so long now. I bought into them originally because they were set up by ex Apple devs and they're still the nicest looking thermostats but it's getting ridiculous.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

€70 for a thermostat? One?! I have around 12-15 radiators around the house, give or take. A thousand euros for what? A fancy app?

A thousand euros to be able to control each radiator independently. It's way more energy efficient to heat only the rooms that you need and it's also nicer comfort wise to be able to have digitally controlled thermostats in each room. Yes you can balance the temperature dial on regular thermostats but really you need to do that throughout the year as the thermal qualities of your rooms change.

 

[klunernet]

€70 for a thermostat? One?! I have around 12-15 radiators around the house, give or take. A thousand euros for what? A fancy app?

In europe (where EVEHome is based) it's not common to have that many radiators anymore. In my old house I had 9, in the current one only 1. (because I had floor heating installed when we bought the place last year, the new owners of my old house also replaced all the radiators for floor heating).

Plus, if you want to automate your old fashioned radiators, prices like these are mostly the options you have if you desire homekit.

My stuff is honeywell, and the one radiator i have uses a HR92EE. It's not that much cheaper. (and does not have homekit, none of the system does, but I am handy enough to get that to work anyway)

 

[t0pher]

Is it software update for existing TRV’s or a new hardware update they are talking about?

sounds like new hardware but update is vague especially in this context.

 

[zv470]

Is it software update for existing TRV’s or a new hardware update they are talking about?

sounds like new hardware but update is vague especially in this context.

Available through software update for 4th generation models released last year (product number: 10EBP1701 / part number: 20EBP1701)

 

[t0pher]

A thousand euros to be able to control each radiator independently. It's way more energy efficient to heat only the rooms that you need and it's also nicer comfort wise to be able to have digitally controlled thermostats in each room. Yes you can balance the temperature dial on regular thermostats but really you need to do that throughout the year as the thermal qualities of your rooms change.

We have a valiant boiler with vsmart.
I have tado trv’s on 12 radiators. It’s HomeKit ready too. Tado doesn’t integrate with vsmart but there is an integration to the boiler wiring Center (I have the correct 1 from the original vrc pre vsmart controller).

I found that it’s all gimmick. I had had it all connected correctly as per tado’s support but it then came on full blast when a small temp increase was needed and over heated the house / rooms. The Vaillent controllers will modulate how high the boiler needs to heat but tado was binary full on/off. Vaillent controllers will leave rads warm but for hours instead of super hot.

using tado trv’s to shut some rooms off just made other rooms colder requiring the boiler to fire longer and more frequently as the rooms needing heat effectively heated the rooms with closed trv’s (yes doors closed).

I’ve left trv’s in place but removed the wiring centre integration. I’ve also amended the temps across the board so unused rooms are only a few degrees less than used rooms.

the house is more even temperature, boiler fires less often and rads never truly get hot , never too hot to touch which is good with young children about.

I’d have gotten the full valiant solution with trv’s but no one was supplying it.

I may write an ifttt integration to fire vsmart if a trv is calling for heat, that’d be the best option and ensure the full boiler modulation instead of full on/off.

 

[veggiespam]

I have old-skool American stream circa 1890 in my 3-story house. When they expanded the house in the 1920/30s, they extended the spiderweb network to a few new radiators.

I had the nice people from the boiler company inspect my unit, radiators and all that last autumn. We talked about pressure and how the system works. I was informed that radiators need to be all on or all off - there is no adjusting the valve. Since the steam just streams in as fast as it can, a half-open valve will still get fully pressurized. So half-way slowly damages the valve. This is my learning experience, I would love another expert to give me more ideas.

I have too hot rooms and too cold rooms. Maybe I can completely shut off a room when the room is too hot and let the radiator grow cold - I would love an auto-valve that does that when the pressure is low. The too cold room is probably an effect of distance and the fact the thermostat shuts the whole system down before that room gets enough heat. I could raise it, but the rest of the house would be much too hot.

@t0pher just posted something as I was typing this. I would love to read a full "case study" of your home situation.

Edit: For those that don't have them, there is a difference between hot-water and steam systems. Steam has one pipe and vents to the air or the water drains backwards to the boiler when cooler. Hot-water may send hot steam, but uses a second pipe to return the cool (but still hot) water back to the radiator as part of a loop. Both can have those giant radiators or smaller ones. So, if you provide guidance or ask questions, please indicate which system.

 

[allpar]

€70 for a thermostat? One?! I have around 12-15 radiators around the house, give or take. A thousand euros for what? A fancy app?

If you have a steam system, it's actually cheap. An ordinary "thermostatic" steam valve costs about the same amount and doesn't really work that well. You don't have to do each room, just a few rooms that you want to have less heat now and then. (More heat doesn't really work!)

Side note: either one-pipe steam or two-pipe steam largely depends on the valves to regulate the temp. For years I've shut off radiators selectively by using masking tape over the vent hole. I don't know if this will work with steam but I suspect it will. Hot water, as veggiespam wrote, doesn't have an air vent. I strongly suspect these are for steam only.

 

[scuac]

I’m really hoping the will do the same (add thread via update) to their motion sensors.

 

[allpar]

Has anyone seen this new valve on their web site? I haven't found it.

 

[CarpalMac]

It might be time for me to switch to a new non Nest setup and use these Eve thermostats. I currently have four Nest thermostats controlling three zoned rooms and one for the rest of the radiator system but it'd be really nice to be able to control the radiators seperately in that last circuit. I've always been hoping Nest would add radiator valves or at least play ball better with Apple devices but it's been so long now. I bought into them originally because they were set up by ex Apple devs and they're still the nicest looking thermostats but it's getting ridiculous.

Maybe consider the Honeywell Evohome. I am not going to lie, the software isn't great and their support laughable, but the setup is solid and with an in house controller, I am not reliant on a 3rd party server if I want to change my heating temps. I also think their TRV's are more discreet than most - the one in the article here looks like a trip hazard!

 

[MrGimper]

I've got Hive heating so considering their thermostats... will have to cost them up.

As an aside, that's a pretty terrible publicity shot for that valve.... it looks huge and sticks out really far. Begging to be bumped into. Not a good advert and would certainly put me off purchasing.

 

[kk200]

A thousand euros to be able to control each radiator independently. It's way more energy efficient to heat only the rooms that you need and it's also nicer comfort wise to be able to have digitally controlled thermostats in each room. Yes you can balance the temperature dial on regular thermostats but really you need to do that throughout the year as the thermal qualities of your rooms change.

There is normal "smart" thermostats with built-in calendar and program. I found it is already covered 95% of my needs. So I bought 6 for 50 bucks in total. Now I only need touch them 2x every year: set it on in Sep and set it off in Apr.

 

[Sputman99]

WiFi radiators - the worlds gone mad

 

[GrumpyOldGuy52]

I have old-skool American stream circa 1890 in my 3-story house. When they expanded the house in the 1920/30s, they extended the spiderweb network to a few new radiators.

I had the nice people from the boiler company inspect my unit, radiators and all that last autumn. We talked about pressure and how the system works. I was informed that radiators need to be all on or all off - there is no adjusting the valve. Since the steam just streams in as fast as it can, a half-open valve will still get fully pressurized. So half-way slowly damages the valve. This is my learning experience, I would love another expert to give me more ideas.

I have too hot rooms and too cold rooms. Maybe I can completely shut off a room when the room is too hot and let the radiator grow cold - I would love an auto-valve that does that when the pressure is low. The too cold room is probably an effect of distance and the fact the thermostat shuts the whole system down before that room gets enough heat. I could raise it, but the rest of the house would be much too hot.

@t0pher just posted something as I was typing this. I would love to read a full "case study" of your home situation.

Edit: For those that don't have them, there is a difference between hot-water and steam systems. Steam has one pipe and vents to the air or the water drains backwards to the boiler when cooler. Hot-water may send hot steam, but uses a second pipe to return the cool (but still hot) water back to the radiator as part of a loop. Both can have those giant radiators or smaller ones. So, if you provide guidance or ask questions, please indicate which system.

My 1927 house has a similar setup (third floor being the attic with a single radiator). I've looked into these pretty deeply and I passed on them. My best solution has been to use an Ecobee and remote temperature sensors. Then the Ecobee tries to keep the heat going so it's all the same level across the house (not easy, as one room is a regular cold spot and I have to make sure the system ignores it on really cold days).

I've found that the real answer is good insulation, good windows, and ensuring you have the steam valves properly balanced (making sure all the air gets pushed out of the system when the boiler is firing, *especially* at the end of the run). As much as I would love a system like you're describing, I can't imagine there are enough of us in the US to merit developing it (though there are still a lot of apartment buildings from a century or more ago that would possibly benefit).

 

[t0pher]

I have old-skool American stream circa 1890 in my 3-story house. When they expanded the house in the 1920/30s, they extended the spiderweb network to a few new radiators.

I had the nice people from the boiler company inspect my unit, radiators and all that last autumn. We talked about pressure and how the system works. I was informed that radiators need to be all on or all off - there is no adjusting the valve. Since the steam just streams in as fast as it can, a half-open valve will still get fully pressurized. So half-way slowly damages the valve. This is my learning experience, I would love another expert to give me more ideas.

I have too hot rooms and too cold rooms. Maybe I can completely shut off a room when the room is too hot and let the radiator grow cold - I would love an auto-valve that does that when the pressure is low. The too cold room is probably an effect of distance and the fact the thermostat shuts the whole system down before that room gets enough heat. I could raise it, but the rest of the house would be much too hot.

@t0pher just posted something as I was typing this. I would love to read a full "case study" of your home situation.

Edit: For those that don't have them, there is a difference between hot-water and steam systems. Steam has one pipe and vents to the air or the water drains backwards to the boiler when cooler. Hot-water may send hot steam, but uses a second pipe to return the cool (but still hot) water back to the radiator as part of a loop. Both can have those giant radiators or smaller ones. So, if you provide guidance or ask questions, please indicate which system.

not sure steam is common in the UK but ours is 2 pipe hot water.

home is 1920’s 2 storey 4 bed detachedand we do have a problem room that is always cold.

vaillant modulation
Vsmart
Tado

good luck with your quest,

these TRV’s likely work well in newer very well insulated homes.

older properties leaked heat into adjoining rooms which was always preferable especially when hearing systems where not very good or homes relied on burning coal or wood in fireplaces.

hotter rooms will just warm up colder rooms.

if you are going to invest see if the product of choice integrates with other automation systems and ifttt, you could then perhaps do something with it to match your needs.

 

[hagar]

I have a house with 1 centralised thermostat in the living room. Anybody here knows how to deal with this if I want to switch to smart radiator valves? Leave the thermostat always on and let the smart smart radiator valves control everything? Assuming the heater will be smart enough to turn off when no heat is required? Or is a (smart) thermostat still required?

 

[t0pher]

I have a house with 1 centralised thermostat in the living room. Anybody here knows how to deal with this if I want to switch to smart radiator valves? Leave the thermostat always on and let the smart smart radiator valves control everything? Assuming the heater will be smart enough to turn off when no heat is required? Or is a (smart) thermostat still required?

ideally you need something to tell the boiler to start once a smart rad valve (trv) demands heat.

basic wired room stats are on / off (you can usually hear them click as the relay completes the circuit). A smart room stat that can talk to the trv’s can do that.

effectively in an ideal world you need an integrated system with trv’s and a boiler controller.

tado, hive, Honeywell, netatmo and many others can do that.
if you have an ebus compatible boiler it’ll enable more granular control of your heating Including weather compensation which basically tells the boiler to use lower power settings as less rad heat is needed when outside temp isn’t too far off the desired internal temp.

only some smart stats will modulate via ebus, tado with Vaillent requires an older wiring centre plus tado need to make a change on your account to support it.

it’s all hacky.

vaillant ambisense would likely work best if you could find it and an installer to fit it.

There are lots of reviews

if you have a basic on/off stat then it might be worth the upgrade,

if you have a modulating controller/ stat then just put that in your coldest room and adjust your existing basic trv’s to a comfortable temp, they will shut off when ideal temp reached and the stat will tell the boiler to fire when the coldest room wants heat.

lastly, most heating systems need at least 1 rad with no tr, that should be your coldest room that you put the stat in.

 

[MacClueless]

Who the hell has a radiator anymore? If they do they almost certainly don’t have an iPhone!

 

[BroMcBroson]

Who the hell has a radiator anymore? If they do they almost certainly don’t have an iPhone!

I guess it depends on where you live. Here in northern Germany a lot of people still use radiators, though floor heating is getting more common.
I am personally pretty much full on in the apple ecosphere and also have good old 1950s radiators in my flat

 

[t0pher]

Who the hell has a radiator anymore? If they do they almost certainly don’t have an iPhone!

How are you heating your home if you don't have radiators?

 

[ds2000]

A thousand euros to be able to control each radiator independently. It's way more energy efficient to heat only the rooms that you need and it's also nicer comfort wise to be able to have digitally controlled thermostats in each room. Yes you can balance the temperature dial on regular thermostats but really you need to do that throughout the year as the thermal qualities of your rooms change.

Absolutely, we've got the honeywell system and its fantastic. Why heat rooms that are empty 75% of the day. Our occupied rooms also heat a whole lot faster without pumping water everywhere.