Radiators exist in variants that can either generate heat and distribute it (electric and oil bourne radiators) or variants that can only distribute pre-generated heat. The first type has a built-in heating element that generates the heat that is then distributed to the indoor air. With the second type, heated water is usually transported through pipes, to the radiators as part of a hot water heating system. In both cases, you can control the distribution (and in the first case, also the control of generating) of heat and get access to smart functionality by connecting your radiators to Tibber 🔥
Electric and oil-filled radiators
When installing a new radiator today it's usually either the direct electric type or an oil-filled type. They both have a built-in heating element that generates heat when powered up.
With direct electric radiators, the heat that is generated is lead to the front plate, usually of metal or glass, and from there to the indoor air. The big pro for this type is that it heats quickly.
With oil-filled radiators the oil inside the radiator is heated which in turn heats the indoor air via the front plate. This type takes longer to heat but the oil also holds on to the generated heat for longer which often leads to a more stable temperature.
To control these types of radiators via Tibber, it needs to be WiFi-connected and currently from one of these brands.
Ebeco (the Wallflex 500)
Adax (or Glamox)
Mill, for more brand related info, check out the Smart Heating FAQ.
Waterborn radiators
These radiators are usually installed during construction (or when doing major renovations) as they require pipes throughout the house, connecting them to a heat source, eg. a heat pump or boiler. The heat is transferred to, and stored in the water before being pumped through the pipes to the radiators and from there it's distributed to the indoor air in the same way as with electric and oil filled radiators.
To control these types of radiators via Tibber you need a WiFi-connected thermostat and currently from one of the following brands.
Tado
Netatmo
A thermostat from another brand controlled via Homey or FutureHome.
When and why should I use Tibber smart heating for my radiators?
By connecting your radiators or thermostats to Tibber you get access to all of them in the Tibber app and can control them individually or per room depending on your system (read more). You can also allow Tibber to control them automatically. By doing so Tibber will take energy price, outside and inside temperature into account when making decisions for when and how to heat your home, to the lowest possible cost.
How do I get started?
Get the compatible product installed and configured in the native app.
Open the Tibber app and click Power-ups > Heating to find your product brand > click on your brand in the list.
Click Connect and follow the instructions using your credentials for the manufacturers' app to log in.
When done your radiator/thermostat should appear as a bubble on the home screen in the Tibber app. If not please click on ⚙️ in the top right corner and mark it to be displayed.
When clicking on the bubble you will see the set target temperature and the actual indoor temperature as well as the state the device is in. You can click on all of these to get more info, change state, etc.
Furthest down you'll find a button saying "Smart heating: Off" and if you click on that you can set your preferences and activate smart heating. When done the button will say "Smart heating: On" instead.
Now you're all set to enjoy the cheapest possible heat comfort in your home 🔥
Smart heating should only be activated if your heat source is directly or indirectly heated by electricity. If your house is heated by eg. gas or district heating the price for that will not follow the spot price for electricity and therefore Tibbers smart heating might not work properly.