Vaillant’s sensoCOMFORT promises cleverer, more efficient control of boilers and heat pumps. But is it genuinely useful or just a very sophisticated way to argue about the thermostat?
If you have a Vaillant boiler or heat pump, the sensoCOMFORT is one of the manufacturer’s most advanced heating controls.
Unlike a basic thermostat that simply tells the heating to switch on or off, the sensoCOMFORT can adjust how hard your heating system works according to the temperature inside and outside your home.
It can also control multiple heating zones, manage hot water and work with more complicated installations involving underfloor heating, heat pumps or hybrid systems.
Very clever. Although, disappointingly, it still can’t stop someone flinging open a window five minutes after the heating comes on because it’s “a bit stuffy”.
In this review, we explain how the Vaillant sensoCOMFORT works, what you need to use it and whether it is the right control for your home.
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Vaillant sensoCOMFORT Review
The sensoCOMFORT is a weather-compensating system control designed specifically for compatible Vaillant boilers and heat pumps.
It is available in two versions:
Wired sensoCOMFORT, also known as the VRC 720
Wireless sensoCOMFORT RF, also known as the VRC 720f
Both versions offer load and weather compensation, flexible heating schedules and support for zoned heating systems.
However, the sensoCOMFORT is not automatically an internet-connected smart thermostat.
To control it remotely through the myVAILLANT app, you will also need a compatible myVAILLANT connect internet gateway.
That is an important detail because the extra equipment can affect the overall installation price.
Our Vaillant sensoCOMFORT score: 4.5/5
The sensoCOMFORT is one of the best controls available for a suitably designed Vaillant heating system.
Its ability to modulate the appliance and adjust flow temperatures according to the weather makes it a particularly strong match for heat pumps, underfloor heating and modern condensing boilers.
However, this is a system control rather than a universal lifestyle gadget. It works best when correctly specified, installed and commissioned as part of a complete Vaillant system.
If you only need a straightforward thermostat for a small combi-boiler property, it may be more control than you realistically require.
Vaillant sensoCOMFORT: Key Features
Before we investigate all the buttons and boxes, here are its main features:
Load and weather compensation
Modulating control through Vaillant’s eBUS system
Heating and hot-water scheduling
Wired and wireless versions
Control of up to five heating zones with the wired model
Control of up to three heating zones with the wireless model
Support for boilers, heat pumps and hybrid heating systems
Touch-sensitive control interface
Holiday mode
Energy-use information
Optional smartphone control through the myVAILLANT app
ErP Class VI control rating
Four-percentage-point ErP efficiency contribution
The controller measures 109mm high, 175mm wide and approximately 26mm deep, giving it a wider, landscape-style design rather than the small square display used by many smart thermostats.
Its adjustable room-temperature range runs from 5°C to 30°C.
How Does the sensoCOMFORT Work?
The sensoCOMFORT communicates with compatible Vaillant appliances using the manufacturer’s eBUS protocol.
This allows the controller and heating appliance to exchange more information than they could through a basic on/off thermostat.
A standard thermostat usually calls for heat and makes the boiler run until the target room temperature is reached. The sensoCOMFORT can instead ask a compatible appliance to vary its output.
In simple terms, it can tell the appliance to work more gently when the home needs only a little heat, rather than repeatedly firing at a high temperature and switching off again.
This is known as modulation.
For a condensing boiler, running at a lower flow temperature can help it spend more time operating efficiently.
For a heat pump, careful control of flow temperature is even more important because efficiency can decline as the required water temperature increases.
The result should be steadier indoor temperatures, fewer dramatic heating cycles and more efficient system operation.
At least, that is the intention. The final performance will still depend on the quality of the heating design, commissioning and settings.
A premium controller cannot compensate for radiators sized for a dolls’ house.
Weather Compensation
Weather compensation is one of the sensoCOMFORT’s biggest advantages.
The system includes an outdoor temperature sensor, allowing the controller to adjust the heating flow temperature as conditions outside change.
When it is relatively mild, the system can circulate cooler water around your radiators or underfloor heating. When the outdoor temperature drops, it can gradually increase the flow temperature to maintain comfort.
This is different from waiting until the house becomes cold and then asking the heating system to perform a full-scale rescue operation.
The aim is to maintain a more stable indoor temperature while using the lowest suitable flow temperature.
Weather compensation is especially useful for:
Heat pumps
Underfloor heating
Well-insulated properties
Modern condensing boilers
Homes occupied for much of the day
However, it must be configured correctly. The heating curve needs to suit the property, its heat loss and the size of its radiators or underfloor heating system.
If the curve is set too high, the property may become too warm and operate less efficiently.
Set it too low and you may spend December wearing three jumpers while insisting the system is “still learning”.
A knowledgeable installer should set up the system and explain which settings the homeowner can safely adjust.
Load Compensation
As well as monitoring the outdoor temperature, the sensoCOMFORT can respond to the temperature inside the property.
This is called load compensation.
As the room approaches its target temperature, the controller can reduce the amount of heat requested from the appliance.
This helps the system avoid overshooting and can provide a more consistent level of comfort.
Load and weather compensation work particularly well together because the controller has a better understanding of both the outdoor conditions and the building’s response.
It is a much more refined approach than simply shouting “heat” or “no heat” at the boiler.
Multi-Zone Heating Control
The sensoCOMFORT has been designed to manage more complicated heating systems.
The wired model can support up to five heating zones, while the wireless RF version can support up to three.
A heating zone could be:
Upstairs radiators
Downstairs radiators
An underfloor heating circuit
A separate living area
An annexe or additional part of the property
Each zone can have its own temperature requirements and schedule when the system is designed with the correct additional controls.
Vaillant VR 92 or VR 92f room controls can be added to measure and control individual zones.
Installations may also require a VR 70 or VR 71 wiring centre, depending on their design and number of circuits.
These components are normally sold separately, so a multi-zone installation involves more than buying a sensoCOMFORT and attaching it to the wall.
For the right property, this flexibility is a major advantage. For a two-bedroom terrace with one radiator circuit, it is probably unnecessary.
sensoCOMFORT and Heat Pumps
The sensoCOMFORT is particularly well suited to Vaillant heat pumps, including systems with underfloor heating or more than one heating circuit.
Heat pumps generally work most efficiently when they provide steady, lower-temperature heat over longer periods.
Weather compensation allows the system to raise or lower the flow temperature according to the conditions outside.
The control can also manage heating and domestic hot water from one interface.
On compatible hybrid installations, Vaillant’s triVAI technology can help the system decide whether the boiler or heat pump should provide the required heat based on efficiency and running-cost settings.
The sensoCOMFORT can therefore act as the central control for a fairly sophisticated heating system.
This does make correct commissioning essential. Heat-pump controls should be configured around the system design and heat-loss calculations rather than treated like an old boiler timer.
Constantly switching a heat pump on and off or demanding unnecessarily high flow temperatures is unlikely to produce the best performance.
Design and Ease of Use
The sensoCOMFORT has a clean, modern design with a monochrome display and touch-sensitive controls.
The physical interface is reasonably intuitive for everyday tasks such as:
Changing the target temperature
Checking system information
Adjusting heating schedules
Setting hot-water times
Activating holiday mode
The time-programme assistant helps homeowners create a schedule without navigating every possible setting individually.
Its menu is more involved than the large dial found on a simple room thermostat, but that is partly because the sensoCOMFORT can control far more equipment.
Most homeowners should become comfortable with the regular functions fairly quickly.
The more technical installer settings are sensibly tucked away, where they cannot be adjusted by somebody who has just watched half a heat-pump video on YouTube.
myVAILLANT App Control
The sensoCOMFORT can be connected to the myVAILLANT app when the heating system is fitted with the appropriate myVAILLANT connect internet gateway.
The app allows users to manage heating and hot water remotely from a compatible smartphone.
Depending on the connected system, this can include:
Viewing and adjusting room temperatures
Changing heating schedules
Controlling hot water
Activating temporary temperature changes
Viewing system and energy information
Managing holiday settings
Remote access is useful when your plans change or you have left home without adjusting the heating.
However, the internet gateway is an additional component and should be included in the quote if app control is important to you.
Without it, the sensoCOMFORT remains a capable heating control, but you will use the physical interface rather than controlling the system through your phone.
Energy Dashboard
The sensoCOMFORT includes an energy dashboard that can provide information about heating-system performance and energy consumption.
On compatible Vaillant heat-pump installations, this can also show information relating to renewable energy gain.
This data can help homeowners spot changes in energy use and understand how different schedules or temperature settings affect performance.
It is worth treating the figures as system-monitoring information rather than a replacement for a calibrated electricity or gas meter.
Even so, being able to see how the heating has behaved is more useful than the traditional approach of waiting for a bill and briefly questioning every decision you have made since birth.
Wired vs Wireless sensoCOMFORT
The most obvious difference is how the controller communicates with the rest of the system.
Wired sensoCOMFORT
The wired VRC 720 connects through the Vaillant eBUS system.
Its advantages include:
No controller batteries to replace
Support for up to five heating zones
A reliable permanent connection
Suitability for larger or more complex systems
It is often the logical choice during a new installation or major heating upgrade when running a cable is straightforward.
Wireless sensoCOMFORT RF
The wireless VRC 720f provides more flexibility over controller positioning and avoids the need to run a control cable to its location.
Its advantages include:
Easier placement within the home
Less disruption where new wiring would be difficult
Support for up to three heating zones
A quoted indoor wireless range of up to 25 metres under suitable conditions
The wireless controller uses four AA batteries, for which Vaillant quotes an approximate life of 1.5 years.
Actual wireless performance will depend on the building, distance and number of walls between components.
Homes are famously inconsiderate in this respect, particularly when constructed from stone, steel or apparently some form of military-grade concrete.
Is sensoCOMFORT Compatible With Every Boiler?
No.
The sensoCOMFORT has been created for compatible Vaillant boilers and heat pumps using the manufacturer’s eBUS communication system.
It is not intended as a universal smart thermostat that can be fitted to almost any heating appliance.
This closed compatibility is both a strength and a limitation.
Because Vaillant designs the appliance and control, the components can communicate closely and provide modulation, weather compensation, diagnostics and system-specific information.
However, homeowners may have fewer options if they later change to a different heating brand.
Before ordering one, your installer should confirm:
The exact boiler or heat-pump model
Whether wired or wireless control is most appropriate
The number of heating zones
Any hot-water controls required
Whether VR 92 controls or wiring centres are needed
Whether the myVAILLANT connect gateway is included
Installation and Setup
The sensoCOMFORT should be installed and commissioned by a suitably qualified heating professional.
Vaillant has designed the controller with a guided commissioning assistant that can detect connected eBUS components and suggest settings.
This should make setup quicker and reduce the chance of individual parts being configured incorrectly.
However, automatic detection is not the same as automatic system design.
The installer still needs to understand the heating circuits, zone controls, appliance parameters and appropriate weather-compensation settings.
This matters most on heat pumps and multi-zone systems, where a poor control strategy can undermine otherwise good equipment.
Our advice is simple - choose an installer who understands Vaillant controls and will show you how to use the finished system.
You should not be handed a manual, a mysterious heating curve and the installer’s rapidly disappearing van.
Vaillant sensoCOMFORT Pros and Cons
Advantages
Excellent integration with compatible Vaillant appliances
Load and weather compensation included
Can help boilers and heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures
Suitable for complex and multi-zone systems
Wired and wireless versions available
Controls heating and hot water
Clean and modern interface
Optional app-based remote control
Particularly suitable for Vaillant heat pumps
Disadvantages
Limited to compatible Vaillant systems
Internet gateway required for app control
Additional zone controls and wiring centres can increase the cost
More complicated than a basic thermostat
Correct installation and commissioning are essential
Probably excessive for small, simple heating systems
Less smart-home flexibility than some universal thermostat platforms
sensoCOMFORT vs sensoHOME
The sensoHOME is Vaillant’s simpler programmable room control.
It is generally aimed at straightforward heating systems, while the sensoCOMFORT is designed for weather-compensated, multi-zone and renewable installations.
The sensoHOME may be sufficient if you have:
One simple heating circuit
A compatible Vaillant boiler
No requirement for multiple heating zones
No complicated renewable or hybrid system
The sensoCOMFORT is the stronger option if you have:
A Vaillant heat pump
Underfloor heating
Multiple heating circuits
A hybrid heating system
A larger property
A requirement for integrated weather compensation
Buying the more advanced control does not automatically make a simple system better. The correct option depends on what the heating system actually needs.
Is the Vaillant sensoCOMFORT Worth It?
Yes, when it is paired with the right Vaillant heating system.
The sensoCOMFORT’s biggest advantage is not that you can change the temperature without leaving the sofa. Many smart thermostats can do that.
Its real strength is the way it communicates with compatible Vaillant appliances and manages flow temperature using load and weather compensation.
That can improve comfort and help a correctly designed system operate more efficiently.
It is particularly worthwhile for:
Vaillant heat-pump installations
Multi-zone heating systems
Homes with underfloor heating
Larger properties
Hybrid heating systems
Owners who want a fully integrated Vaillant control
It may not be worthwhile for:
Homes with a non-Vaillant appliance
Renters looking for a portable smart thermostat
Very basic single-zone combi-boiler systems
People prioritising broad third-party smart-home compatibility
Anyone expecting a DIY plug-and-play installation
Vaillant sensoCOMFORT Review: Our Verdict
The Vaillant sensoCOMFORT is an excellent system control, provided your heating system is sophisticated enough to benefit from it.
Weather compensation, load compensation and eBUS modulation allow a compatible Vaillant boiler or heat pump to respond more intelligently than it could with a basic on/off thermostat.
Its multi-zone capabilities also make it suitable for larger properties, underfloor heating and mixed heating circuits.
The main catches are compatibility and cost. It is tied to the Vaillant ecosystem, app control requires an additional gateway and complex systems may need several extra components.
For a basic combi boiler in a small home, the sensoCOMFORT may be overkill. Vaillant’s simpler sensoHOME control could be a more sensible and affordable choice.
For a Vaillant heat pump or properly designed multi-zone system, however, the sensoCOMFORT is arguably the control you should be looking at first.
Final score: 4.5/5
A technically capable, efficient and impressively flexible control for Vaillant heating systems.
Just make sure it is correctly specified and commissioned. Otherwise, you may end up owning a very clever white rectangle that nobody in the house is allowed to touch.
Next Steps For Your Heat Pump Journey:
When planning to install a heat pump for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section or check out our YouTube channel to learn more.
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