Thermostats and your Wi-Fi

Wall units that must stay reachable all winter.

What this kit needs from a network

Wall-mounted 2.4 GHz client in a fixed position, often behind a plasterboard wall with foil insulation.

Bands: 2.4 GHz only on most models. It will not see a Wi-Fi name that is 5 GHz only, and setup fails silently if your phone is on the 5 GHz half of a split network.
How it's found on the network: Cloud-based, so router filtering is rarely the issue. Position almost always is.
Background discovery traffic: Low.
Guest networks: Setup fails.
Separate IoT network (VLAN): Fine on an IoT network.

• Hold it near the router during setup if it detaches from its mount.
• Check the signal reading before you refit it to the wall.
• Stand next to your router while you set it up, then move the gadget to where it lives.
• Put your phone on the 2.4 GHz network name for the setup, or use one name for both bands so the phone can follow.
• If your router splits bands into two names, turn the 5 GHz one off for five minutes rather than fighting it.
• Turn mobile data off on your phone during setup — some apps quietly use it and never find the gadget.

• Once mounted, it cannot roam. If you add mesh, restart the thermostat so it picks the nearest box.

Hive thermostat 86/100
The hub plugs into the router with a cable, so the heating keeps working even when Wi-Fi wobbles.
Most common complaint: App says "no connection" — usually because the broadband is down, not the heating.
tado° smart thermostat 82/100
The bridge plugs into your router, so heating carries on even when Wi-Fi is having a bad day.
Most common complaint: App says the heating is offline, usually right after a new router arrives.
Nest Learning Thermostat 80/100
Uses your Wi-Fi directly, so a weak signal in the hall shows up as a thermostat that won't respond from your phone.
Most common complaint: Heating still works, but the app says it can't reach the thermostat.

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