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Home About us Research services Reports Childcare products Continence Household products Mobility Telecoms and alarms General Surveys Design Ordering Links Site map change text size and colour ?		Taking Control - A guide to buying or upgrading central heating controls(view report contents) This guide Not so long ago keeping warm in winter meant lugging coal for most people. Houses were draughty, poorly insulated and often had more cold rooms than warm ones. Nowadays around nine in ten homes have central heating. Modern systems mean it should be easy to have temperatures which suit you and the way you live. And because they make it possible to choose where and when you want heat, they can cut fuel bills. Yet our tests show that central heating controls can be difficult to use if you have a visual or dexterity impairment. So for your own comfort it is important to choose a control that is easy to use. Good controls can save money too - replacing older controls could cut your fuel bills by up to 17%. For this guide we've tested the main types of controls you are likely to come across. All our tests were carried out by people with disabilities or the difficulties that arise with age. Sixteen had visual impairments – half could not see well enough to read a large print book, while the others had difficulty seeing well enough to read a newspaper. Thirty-two had limited dexterity reach or strength. We are very grateful to them. The guide tells you what to look for if you are buying or upgrading your central heating controls. Use it to identify useful features on any control we have not tested. The guide was published in 2004, however contact details have been updated where possible. Acknowledgements This project was funded by an Innovation and Good Practice Grant from Housing Corporation and by the Help the Aged and Ofgem. Ricability is grateful for this support. Research: David Yelding, Ngaio Girdlestone, Lindsey Etchell Design: Sarah Watson Cover Image: Hulton Getty Photography: Robin Beckham Back to top Report Contents About this guide Central heating basics Types How to buy What consumers want from central heating controls Registering for priority service Thermostats Room thermostats buying guide Room thermostats - summaries Thermostatic radiator valves buying guide TRVs - summaries Programmers Programmers buying guide Digital programmers - summaries Mechanical programmers - summaries Programmable thermostats - summaries Tables Digital and mechanical programmers Programmable thermostats Help with money Keeping bills down Main gas and electricity operators Helpful organisations Help with seeing and gripping Manufacturers
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