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How Can I Control My Lights and Heating from My Phone?

  • TNS Electrical Solutions
  • 18 minutes ago
  • 6 min read

Can I Really Control My Lights and Heating from My Phone?


Yes, you can control your lights and heating from your phone using smart home devices and a compatible app. All you need is a smartphone, a stable Wi-Fi connection, and smart bulbs or a smart thermostat. With the right setup, you can turn lights on or off, adjust your heating, set timers, and even control everything while you're away from home.


But how exactly does it all work, and which apps or devices should you actually trust to make your home more comfortable and efficient? If you're curious about smart home control but don't know where to start, this guide will walk you through everything—step by step, jargon-free, and based on real-life use.


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1. What Does Controlling Your Home from Your Phone Actually Mean?


When I talk about controlling lights and heating from your phone, I don’t mean programming code or doing anything complicated. It’s as simple as opening an app and pressing a button.


Smart home systems let you use your phone as a remote control for things like your lights, radiators, and thermostat. Some devices work on their own, like smart bulbs you can dim or change colour. Others are part of a larger setup, like a thermostat connected to your boiler or electric heaters.


The whole idea of home automation is making everyday tasks a bit easier. You can set your lights to come on when it gets dark, or make sure the heating’s off once everyone’s left the house. It’s all about convenience, comfort, and sometimes saving a bit of energy too.


These systems use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or smart home protocols like Zigbee or Z-Wave to connect everything together. You don’t need to understand the tech behind it – the main thing is that your phone becomes the controller for your lights, thermostat and even your electric sockets.


2. What Do I Need to Get Started?


To begin, you’ll need a few key things: a smartphone, a solid Wi-Fi connection, and some compatible devices. You can start small, like I did, with a smart light bulb and a heating thermostat. Over time, you can add more – maybe a smart plug, or a motion sensor for your hallway light.


If you're using Apple, look for devices that work with HomeKit. If you’re on Android, Google Home or SmartThings are great. And lots of devices also work with Amazon Alexa, which is handy if you want to use voice commands later on.


The main types of devices to look for are:

  • Smart bulbs (like Philips Hue or LIFX)

  • Smart thermostats (like Tado, Hive, or Nest)

  • Smart plugs to control heaters or lamps

  • A home hub, if your devices need one to talk to each other

You might also come across terms like smart switch, temperature sensor, or automation hub – these are all bits that help your system run smoothly.

3. Which Apps Are Best for Controlling Lights and Heating?

There are quite a few apps out there, and honestly, it depends on which devices you’ve got. Personally, I’ve used Google Home and Tado, and both worked really well.

Here are a few of the most popular apps:

  • Google Home – great if you’ve got a mix of devices

  • Apple Home (HomeKit) – very smooth on iPhones

  • SmartThings – works with a wide range of brands

  • Amazon Alexa – perfect if you’ve got Echo speakers

  • Tado, Hive, and Nest – great for heating control

Most of these apps give you a simple dashboard where you can see all your connected devices. You can turn lights on or off, change the brightness, or adjust the heating temperature. Some apps let you set routines or use geolocation, so the heating comes on when you’re nearly home.

The trick is to make sure your devices are compatible with the app you want to use. That’s where terms like interoperability, integration, and connectivity come in – you want everything to work together without needing five different apps.

4. How Do I Set It All Up?

Setting things up is easier than you might think. Most devices come with a QR code to scan, or a simple step-by-step process in the app.

Here’s how it usually works:

  1. Plug in your smart bulb or thermostat

  2. Open the relevant app on your phone

  3. Add a new device – usually by scanning a code or connecting to Wi-Fi

  4. Give it a name like “Living Room Lamp” or “Bedroom Heater”

  5. Group devices by room if you like

Once your devices are added, you can start using your phone to control them. Most apps will let you create schedules too – for example, setting your bedroom heater to turn on at 6am, or the hallway light to switch off at 10pm.

If something doesn’t connect right away, check your Wi-Fi strength or make sure location permissions are turned on in the app. It’s usually something small.

5. Can I Set Timers and Routines?

Yes – and this is one of the best parts. You can set up routines so that your house basically runs itself.

Here’s how I use mine:

  • The hall light turns on automatically at sunset

  • My heating turns off when I leave the house (using geolocation)

  • The kitchen lights fade in slowly at 7am – easier on the eyes!

These routines use triggers like time of day, your phone’s location, or even motion. If you have smart sensors, they can also trigger lights when someone walks into a room. Some apps even let you build full automation scripts, combining multiple actions.

This is where energy savings can really add up. You’re not heating empty rooms or lighting spaces no one’s using.

6. What About Voice Control?

If you’ve got a smart speaker like an Amazon Echo or a Google Nest Mini, you can add voice control to the mix. I do this a lot when I’ve got my hands full – “Alexa, turn on the lounge light” or “Hey Google, set the heating to 20 degrees.”

Voice control is great for accessibility, and it’s surprisingly reliable once everything’s set up properly.

You just need to link your app (like Google Home or Alexa) to your devices. Once connected, you can use simple natural voice commands to control your lights, heating, and routines.

7. What If Something Goes Wrong?

Sometimes things glitch – it happens. Maybe a device goes offline, or your app can’t find the thermostat.

Here’s what’s helped me:

  • Make sure your Wi-Fi is working well

  • Restart your phone and smart device

  • Check for firmware updates

  • Make sure the device hasn’t been moved too far from the router

If a device keeps disconnecting, it might be worth adding a Wi-Fi extender, or upgrading to a mesh network.

Also, keep an eye on permissions – some apps need access to your phone’s location, especially if you use routines that depend on whether you’re home or away.

And don’t forget about data privacy – always use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication if your app supports it.


Did You Know?


  • Smart Home Adoption in the UK: As of 2024, approximately 39% of UK households have integrated smart home products, such as smart speakers, thermostats, and security systems. This figure is projected to rise to 50.2% by 2027, indicating a significant trend towards the adoption of smart home technology. ​GreenMatch.co.uk

  • Smart Meter Installations: The UK's initiative to install smart meters in homes has faced challenges, with only about 60% of homes equipped with a smart meter by early 2025. The program, aimed at modernizing the energy system and promoting efficient energy usage, has encountered issues such as malfunctioning meters and increased costs. ​The Guardian



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