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Hi all, Apologies for such a slow reply, the Xmas break sneaks up on you and takes over everything. Thank you all for the helpful replies, let me provide some responses below: Mine are also pretty old, I had them fitted perhaps 2011? These are the PRT TS-Wifi models, predate the Neo range and had this setting, but as I say, I never felt it really helped much. The setting was hidden away quite a bit, so not easily accessible. Perhaps there was a reason for that. Thanks Lizzie, I believe it was called Optimum start on the older device I have. According to the manual for the NeoStat v2, its 'Feature 8',. so looks like its there on your system From the manual. Be interested in how affective you find this, if you do get to use it. "Feature 08 – Optimum Start: Optimum start will delay the start up of the heating system to the latest possible moment to avoid unnecessary heating and ensure the building is warm at the programmed time. The thermostat uses the rate of change information to calculate how long the heating needs to raise the building temperature 1°C (with a rate of change of 20, the thermostat has calculated the heating needs 20 minutes to raise the building temperature 1°C) and starts the heating accordingly." Fair point, and thats how we've used it since installation. However, I am now looking to update the controllers to work with a home automation system, and this is one feature I thought would add greatly to the flexibility of the system. Especially if the system is able to react to changes in external temperatures / seasons. In effect the controller learns how long it takes to raise the temperature of a space by 1 degree. It can then monitor the current temperature and respond by starting the heating in ample time to reach the desired temperature by the required time, and in the most energy effiecient way. i.e. Start heating at the latest possible point to reach the desired temperatures. All sensible points, and how we've been using this system for a while now. Yet, I think that its possible to improve on this approach, whilst improving energy efficiency, but this is only because I am looking to replace the existing ones anyway for other reasons. Certainly wouldn't change just for this single feature. As I mention earlier, I'm looking to update these controllers to work with a home automation system hence the question. Thanks for all the feedback folks.

Just a quick bump to see if there’s anyone that can contribute. thx

I currently have the Heatmiser wireless Touch screen controllers (PRT-TSwifi) for my UFCH system and these are supposed to have the optimum start functionality which allegedly learns over time, how long it takes for a room to reach a desired temperature. In theory the controller then pre-empts the programmer to to start the heating earlier, in plenty of time to allow the room to reach the required temperature at the time specified by the user. Unfortunately this doesn’t work very well in my experience. I’m planning on updating these and looking for recommendations from folk on what controllers they have used and can recommend that have this feature and which works well. Many thanks