Building regulations state that your heating system requires a minimum set of controls and these are boiler interlock, room  and hot water thermostats and a timer/programmer.

Boiler Interlock

Boiler interlock isn’t a physical control device. Instead it describes how the system has been wired. It’s a wiring arrangement that prevents your boiler from heating your home when there’s no need for it, for example, if the temperature that you set on the thermostat has been reached. Without interlock, the boiler would be on when timed regardless of the temperature of the dwelling, which could waste a lot of energy.

Thermostats

A room thermostat senses the temperature of the air flowing around it and sends a signal to the central heating pump and boiler via the programmer to stop heating the radiators. It’s an important element and, without it, boiler interlock would not function properly.The room thermostat is usually positioned in a central location, such as a hallway or landing, and should be sited around one and a half metres above floor level. It’s better if it isn’t installed in a kitchen as this room can become naturally warm through cooking.

A hot water cylinder thermostat is similar but instead works by sensing the temperature of the water inside the hot water cylinder. Once the hot water is at the desired temperature it sends a signal to the central heating pump and boiler via the programmer to stop heating the water zone.

Programmable Timer

A 7-Day programmable timer will allow you to set your heating system to match your occupancy patterns on a daily and weekly basis.

Ideally your heating systems should be split into at least two independently controlled "zones".

1. Space Heating Zones (i.e. your radiators for heating your rooms)
2. Hot Water Zone (i.e. your sink, bath, shower hot water).

The separation of space heating and domestic hot water controls into zones will also allow you to set each zone to operate for required periods only. For example: you can set your boiler to switch on automatically before you wake in the morning to heat water for showers without turning on the central heating.

Programmable timers and thermostats that connect to your houses internet for you to control while away from the house are also available.