Getting Started — Heating
What Wilsons Does in Heating
Wilsons' heating work is focused on the electrical controls — not the gas, plumbing, or refrigerant systems:
- Heatmiser Neo system installation — our specialist platform: neoStat thermostats (V2, V3), neoAir wireless thermostats, neoHub for app control, and UFH wiring centres
- Underfloor heating controls — Heatmiser neoStat in UFH mode, and the UH8-RF wireless wiring centre for multi-zone UFH systems
- Hive smart thermostat installation — on jobs where the customer has or requests Hive
- Air source heat pump controls — working with Global Energy Caernarfon ASHP systems, using Heatmiser for zone control and the neoHub for app access
- Programmer and thermostat replacement — replacing failed or outdated controls on existing systems
Wilsons does not work on gas, plumbing, or refrigerant. Gas appliance work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Refrigerant work on ASHP units must be done by an F-Gas qualified engineer.
The Heatmiser Neo System
Heatmiser Neo is Wilsons' heating controls platform. It is a modular system where each component communicates back to the neoHub, which provides app and remote control.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| neoStat V2 / V3 | Mains-powered wired thermostat — for wet central heating or UFH zones. V3 is the current model. |
| neoAir | Wireless battery-powered thermostat — pairs with a receiver or the UH8-RF wiring centre. Ideal for retrofit where a mains supply is not at the thermostat position. |
| neoHub | The system gateway — connects to the router via ethernet and wirelessly to all neoStat/neoAir devices. Provides the Heatmiser Neo app and integrates with Control4. |
| UH8-RF | 8-zone wireless wiring centre for underfloor heating. Receives wireless signals from neoAir stats and switches UFH zones and the boiler. |
Up to 32 zones can be managed from a single neoHub. Multiple neoHubs can be used on larger properties.
Heating System Types
Combination (Combi) Boiler
- Provides central heating and domestic hot water on demand — no separate hot water cylinder
- Only one zone (central heating)
- Room thermostat switches the boiler directly via the RT/TH terminals
- Most common in modern UK homes
S-Plan (Two-Port Zone Valves)
The most common system type for properties with a hot water cylinder. Uses separate 2-port motorised zone valves for central heating and hot water — each zone operates independently.
- Separate zone valve for heating circuit, separate valve for hot water
- Cylinder thermostat controls the hot water valve
- Room thermostat controls the heating valve
- Both valves' auxiliary switches signal the boiler to fire when their valve opens
See S-Plan Wiring Guide for full wiring detail and diagram.
Y-Plan (Three-Port Mid-Position Valve)
An older but still commonly encountered system. Uses a single 3-port motorised valve (mid-position valve) to handle both heating and hot water from one unit.
- One valve with three positions: heating only, hot water only, or both (mid-position)
- More complex wiring than S-plan — a single valve fault can affect both zones
- Still found on many existing properties — important to recognise
See Y-Plan Wiring Guide for wiring detail.
Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)
An ASHP extracts heat from outside air and uses it to heat water for the heating system. Key differences from a gas boiler:
- Runs at lower flow temperatures (typically 35–55°C vs 70–80°C for gas)
- Most efficient with underfloor heating (large surface area at low temperature)
- Cannot be serviced by gas engineers — requires MCS-accredited heat pump engineers for the refrigerant circuit
- Wilsons' role: the electrical controls — Heatmiser for zone control, neoHub for app
See Air Source Heat Pumps — Controls & Integration.
Safe Working
Heating control wiring involves mains voltage at the programmer, wiring centre, and boiler terminals. Always:
- Isolate at the consumer unit before working — heating controls are typically on a 3A or 5A fused spur
- Photograph the existing wiring before disconnecting anything
- Never work on gas connections, the boiler heat exchanger, or burner
- Never work on the ASHP refrigerant circuit