Vaillant Thermostats & Boiler Controls

Vaillant boilers are known across the UK for their efficiency, quiet operation, and long lifespan. But like any central heating system, a Vaillant boiler performs best when paired with the right thermostat and controls.

Whether you’re running an ecoTEC combi boiler, system boiler, or heat-only setup, controls such as the VRT 350F thermostat, VRC 700f weather-compensating control, vSMART system, or timeSWITCH programmer help your heating system run more smoothly and efficiently.

Here at Boilers2go, this 2026 Vaillant controls guide walks through all Vaillant thermostat options first — including programmers, room thermostats, wireless controls, and smart heating systems — before covering installation basics, smart-control comparisons, compatibility with ecoTEC boilers, and practical programming tips.

Because the thermostat is what turns a boiler into a properly balanced central heating system.

Why Vaillant heating controls matter

Vaillant boilers use eBUS communication, which allows compatible thermostats to adjust boiler output gradually depending on heating demand across the home.

Instead of repeatedly switching on and off, the boiler can run steadily at lower output levels, helping radiators warm more evenly and reducing energy waste.

With the right Vaillant control, homeowners often see:

• more consistent room temperatures

• smoother radiator heat output

• improved hot-water scheduling

• lower gas consumption

• quieter central-heating operation

Smart and weather-compensating controls can reduce heating costs by around 10–15%, especially during colder UK winters when heating demand changes throughout the day.

Vaillant thermostat and control options explained

Vaillant offers a wide range of controls designed to suit everything from simple radiator heating systems to fully smart central-heating setups.

timeSWITCH 150 programmer

The timeSWITCH 150 is a traditional analogue boiler programmer that mounts directly onto the boiler fascia.

It provides simple 24-hour heating control using mechanical on/off tappets, making it a reliable option for straightforward central-heating systems where scheduling is the main priority.

For homeowners who prefer simple controls, it still does the job well.

VRT 350F wireless programmable room thermostat

The VRT 350F thermostat is one of Vaillant’s most popular wireless room controls for central heating.

It allows three heating periods per day, includes holiday settings, and automatically adjusts for summer and winter time changes. The wireless receiver fits neatly into the boiler fascia, while the handheld thermostat can be placed where temperature readings are most accurate.

This helps the boiler respond to real room temperatures, allowing radiators to heat more evenly across the home.

VRC 700 and VRC 700f weather-compensating controls

The VRC 700 control range provides more advanced heating management, including weather compensation and variable start times.

By adjusting boiler flow temperature based on outdoor conditions, these controls help maintain steady indoor comfort while reducing unnecessary energy use.

They work particularly well in larger homes or central-heating systems with higher heat demand.

vSMART heating control system

The Vaillant vSMART system brings smart-heating control to ecoTEC boilers through Wi-Fi connectivity and app-based scheduling.

The system includes a gateway and room controller that can learn heating habits over time and adjust schedules automatically.

Using outdoor temperature data and self-learning behaviour, vSMART helps maintain comfort across the central heating system without constant manual adjustments.

Multiple sensors can be added to improve temperature control across different rooms.

sensoAPP and sensoNET smart controls

Vaillant’s newer sensoAPP and sensoNET controls provide modern smart-heating functionality, including zoning, presence detection, and outdoor-sensor compensation.

They’re designed to work seamlessly with ecoTEC boilers and provide flexible control of radiators, heating schedules, and hot water.

Installing the VRT 350F thermostat (step by step)

Vaillant wireless controls are designed to be straightforward to install, particularly with ecoTEC boilers.

After isolating power, the receiver is inserted into the boiler fascia control slot. The wireless thermostat can then be positioned centrally in the home, ideally around 1.5 metres above floor level, where it can measure temperature accurately.

Once powered on, pairing is automatic. Heating schedules and time settings can be configured using the rotary control and buttons on the thermostat.

After setup, increasing the temperature slightly should trigger the boiler to respond, confirming the system is working correctly.

The vSMART system requires additional setup through the mobile app and Wi-Fi connection.

Vaillant smart controls vs Nest and Hive (2026)

Nest and Hive are widely used smart thermostats in UK homes, particularly in systems with multiple heating zones.

However, Vaillant’s own smart controls — including vSMART and sensoNET — integrate directly with the boiler through eBUS communication. This allows the central heating system to respond more precisely to heat demand.

That closer integration often results in smoother heating performance compared to relay-based thermostats.

Nest and Hive still work well in many homes, but Vaillant controls are designed specifically around ecoTEC central-heating systems.

Best Vaillant controls for energy savings in 2026

For households looking to reduce heating costs, smart and weather-compensating controls typically deliver the biggest improvements.

The vSMART system is one of the strongest options for energy savings thanks to self-learning schedules and weather-based heating adjustments.

The VRC 700f weather-compensating control also improves efficiency by helping the boiler run at the lowest effective flow temperature.

For simpler systems, the VRT 350F thermostat still improves heating efficiency through better scheduling and temperature control.

Wireless thermostat compatibility with Vaillant boilers

Most modern Vaillant boilers — including ecoTEC plus and ecoTEC pro ranges — support wireless thermostat controls through plug-in receivers and eBUS communication.

This makes upgrading central-heating controls straightforward, often without needing additional wiring.

Third-party thermostats can still be used, but Vaillant controls typically allow the boiler to operate more efficiently.

Programming tips for Vaillant central-heating controls

Good thermostat programming helps the entire central-heating system run more efficiently.

For most UK homes:

• Living areas work well around 20–21°C

• Bedrooms are often comfortable slightly cooler

• Heating schedules should match occupancy patterns

• Holiday settings prevent wasted heating

• Weather compensation improves winter efficiency

Once programmed correctly, the thermostat manages the boiler, radiators, and hot water automatically.

Quick Vaillant controls guide

• If you want a simple boiler timer, timeSWITCH 150 works well.
• If you want wireless room-temperature control, VRT 350F is a strong choice.
• If you want weather-compensating heating control, VRC 700f performs well.
• If you want full smart-heating automation, vSMART is Vaillant’s best option.

Choosing the right control helps your boiler, radiators, and hot-water system work together efficiently, which is exactly what a modern central-heating system should do.