Give users access to the advanced configuration parameters
As most of us here will be aware, Tado has several advanced controls and configuration options that support are able to use to configure your devices when you contact them (cycle periods, minimum on/off times etc). Sadly these advanced options are hidden from users and the only way to access them is through support which can take a long time, and sometimes they won't configure things the way you ask them to.
It would be far better for users and Tado support capacity if we had access to these parameters in the app. They could be hidden behind a warning message about changing them if you don't know what you're doing or hidden in some other part of the app that only those in the know and active on the forums would learn about.
But as someone who wants to experiment with different configurations, and as someone who has many issues with highly illogical behaviour from Tado thermostats - being able to change these myself would be infinitely better than having to go to support each time I want to change a simple parameter.
Comments
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I understand the suggestion. We try to balance user friendliness for both novices and more advanced users. To not overwhelm the former, while not patronising the latter.
The warning message would be a hard requirement, but other than that I'm curious what others think of this suggestion.
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I think it could be useful with a suitably strongly worded warning. Perhaps this could be in the installers app, rather than the main customer app.
As a starter, it would be useful to understand what parameters the support team are able to amend
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It would be awesome. I'm beginning to use Tado and have to email them constantly. Even enabling option to change zone controller on one of the thermostats required help from support. If not the community I would probably consider it's not possible and returned the system...3
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I agree, there are also interesting functions for the sole management of the heads, such as:
-calibration without having to disassemble the head and batteries
-adjustment of the piston force (in case of excessive water pressure the head is not able to close the valve)These are the ones that come to mind immediately, the first in particular can be useful more frequently
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I would like to see this.
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@Rob I think there should just be a "guru mode" (call it whatever) in the app. One clicks on that, advanced settings are exposed. Feel free to provide whatever warnings your UX people suggest, i.e. "wow, are you sure? there is an imminent danger of nuclear apocalypse if you tick this checkbox" [hopefully no such thing :)]
Personally I'd just like two features
- Make "Zone Controller" part of the room schedule.
- Provide a simple checkbox / knob (both under schedule and manual set) where in addition to TEMP I can control the valve position. The use case is to allow water flow even if target temperature is exceeded and heat command is turned off. A variation of this ask has come up frequently as "summer maintenance"
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I would gladly see possibility to:
- adjust cycling time,
- allowing to leave boiler or ufh pump active for certain time after stopping heating,
- ability to change thermostat behaviour (high/ low inertia) to better control ufh
- ability to limit certain thermostats call for heat to 1/2/3 waves min/max
- set histeresis for hot water control4 -
Agreed, I would like Advanced Options. I would be happy to agree to any warnings.
I would like to see:
- A "Night Mode" for bedroom TRVs to adjust the number of activations during certain hours (fewer incremental changes that interrupts light sleepers like me).
- The choice of fully "open" or "closed" for TRVs when in Summer, or "off" mode. Better still an auto mode option that cycles the valves once a month.
- The ability to turn off any IQ modes or any tie-ins with the weather. (Manual Mode?)
- A toggle-able "Set Up" Mode for clear 6LoWPAN signal strength, (between hub and TRVs and Wireless Thermostats, useful to get the position of the hub sorted).
- A toggle to add battery life % for the TRVs and Wireless Thermostats similar to that used on an iPhone.
There's going to be a myriad of other useful settings, but they are my top 5.
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Just to be clear - this suggestion is about exposing parameters that already exist and are simply hidden from us as users. It's not about adding additional advanced functionality - this would be for a separate suggestion. The reason for this is to keep it focused and easier/quicker to implement, otherwise it'll just descend into the weeds about all the things we want and that have to be made. We don't necessarily know what all the hidden parameters are but I assume there are quite a few and the suggestion would be to expose all of them, or at least most of them if there a few that are genuinely not to be messed with or not applicable to the end user experience.
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I totally agree about this suggestion!2
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And just a case in point of why I think this request is so important: One of my Tado thermostats is insane and keeps short cycling the boiler for like 1 minute before a proper cycle. I went to support to get the parameters tweaked by asking for the minimum on time to be set to 5-10 minutes. It took 8 days to get the parameters tweaked - differently to how I asked and right now my thermostat is even more insane and is short cycling my boiler 3 times as much as before and there's nothing I can do about it. It could be further days before this is even back to what it was before depending on when support come back to me again meanwhile the wear and tear on my boiler is through the roof. That's nothing against support, it's a busy time being the cold season but the point is if I had access to these parameters myself I could fix this in minutes and not have to suffer as my heating refuses to function in a remotely sensible fashion. Not only that but I'm taking support time away from customers who actually need it. It's currently a lose/lose for everyone involved.
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I agree with the suggestion to allow more access to advanced configuration. Especially if there is a get out of Jail free card option of resetting to the default parameters.
Like all products of this type they will always get used in a different scenario to a 3 bedroom house with 7 radiators.
In my case I’m using to control a diesel boiler, this is a dumb device that can be easily broken by misuse, and short cycling is the worst culprit. Tado configured my thermostat for a pellet stove boiler and it is still short cycling.
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Yes please!
I can't really tell how annoying this is when you have the TRVs installed on older valves and pins are not opening the valve even on the lowest heating demand.
1 or 2 years ago I had a conversation with an support representative and he just told me (twice!) that everything is working fine. Not even suggested that they could change the values how the pin reacts.
Having also the possibility to set any "cool down" time, where valves are staying open for some time after the boiler is not heating, but the water pump is still operating (in my case about 3 minutes) would be great also.
As I understood correctly these are existent options that are not shown to the public for any reason. Which is a shame.2 -
There is an (advanced) setting to allow valves to stay open after boiler has turned off? Can support enable it?0
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I’d like to share my experience to emphasize how valuable access to advanced configuration parameters would be, even with a specific authorization process in place.
For years, I’ve been using Tado to manage my home heating, but I’ve consistently encountered metallic noises and water hammering in the radiators, particularly in those closest to the boiler or manifold. After multiple investigations, it’s clear that the issue stems from a combination of factors, such as hydraulic pressure, the behavior of the thermostatic valves, and the configuration of the circulator.
Working with my plumber and installer, we’ve identified several potential solutions, including:
• Adjusting cycle times and valve force to better match the hydraulic system;
• Extending the pump overrun time after the boiler turns off to avoid residual hammering;
• Tuning the sensitivity or behavior of the valves to address potential issues with the pistons being displaced by pressure.
Unfortunately, without direct access to advanced settings, each attempt requires significant delays, involving repeated exchanges with support and waiting for changes that could otherwise be tested in minutes. This not only makes the process frustrating but also complicates collaboration with on-site technicians, who cannot work dynamically.
Additionally, this lack of flexibility leads many professional plumbers and installers to view Tado as a rigid and unprofessional system, unsuitable for more complex setups. As a result, Tado is not always valued or recommended, even when its core features could be beneficial.
One idea could be to allow access to these settings only for users who make a specific request via the Tado website, acknowledging the risks involved. This could work similarly to an “installer” profile, formalizing the user’s awareness and responsibility while still enabling those who wish to resolve complex issues to act promptly.
I hope this proposal can help improve the user experience for many while also enhancing Tado’s reputation as a professional and flexible system.5 -
And one more thing: sharing a detailed list of the configurations that are actually available for the service staff, would be helpful to communicate with Tado team and also find the best solution for the issue.4
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I agree that we should have access to advance configuration.
I was about to return the system due to that, till I saw one post saying you can ask the support !
I was talking about that with a colleague which… actually had Tado and did return the system because he didn't know that some of the settings could be modified by support.
Even if the support helped for my problem, I am still not 100% convinced, because I don't like not being able to modify the setting myself, like not being the total owner of the product. Thus I may return the product because of the lack of advanced settings…
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I agree with the suggestion, I'd like to see all the advanced configuration options, a warning message is totally ok and fine, probably a button to reset to default is also in order, but having the option to tweak the functioning is almost a must for us powerusers, and usually beneficial to have as an option for those who choose to endeavour in optimizing their installations
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@Rob how about enabling the more involved forum members to trial use of these and on that basis and usage stats decide?5
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Also I don't know how the current back-end configuration is accessed by support but if it speeds up implementation and makes it so that only advanced users can find these, maybe these configs could be accessed via a web interface accessible through the internet bridge's IP or something? A bit like how you access your router's settings.
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I would like to propose an idea that could serve as a first step towards greater transparency and flexibility for advanced Tado users. It would be incredibly useful if we could at least view the advanced parameters currently configured for our devices (maybe in the Tado Pro App).
This approach would offer several benefits:
- Verify Support Actions: Users could check whether the settings applied by the service team match their requests.
- Increased Transparency: Providing visibility into the system's configuration options would enhance understanding and foster a sense of control.
- Improved Communication: Knowing the current parameter settings would make it easier to explain issues or modification requests and discuss it with the support team.
- Preparation for Broader Access: This could be a preliminary step towards introducing an advanced interface for those who want to make adjustments themselves.
Of course, this feature could be implemented with clear warnings, ensuring that users understand they can only view the parameters and not change them directly. This would keep the system safe and user-friendly while offering much-needed transparency.
I hope this proposal will be considered as an interim solution to enhance the user experience.
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I would like to deactivate the geolocation function for some rooms and even better for users... I have two apartments managed by the same boiler. On the first floor there is user A, while on the second floor there is user B. If A enters house, the programming of user B who is away from home is also reactivated.0
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@Dometech It is very unlikely that commercial based Geolocation algorithms are equipped to handle a change in floor level that accurately.
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Another alternative here is API access only. To the best of my knowledge the API is documented but unsupported, so anything advanced could go under a dedicated path for users to enjoy. One can even add a "feature flag" (of sorts), so that only whitelisted users that are explicitly approved can have access.
This would conveniently alleviate any UX/UI concerns. No need for Tado to worry if a user accidentally presses the "if you click here, your heating installation may self destruct". And no need for them to invest resources to create and maintain an advanced-UI that only a very small subset of their users care about.1 -
This suggestion is really useful.
I would see this feature implemented.
Obviously warning message is mandatory, As well as restore settings option.
Also a backup settings option would be great to not lose progress if an option goes wrong.
Please implement that, would be really great!2 -
Yes please implent this suggestion…even just in the installer app.
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I would also like to see this added.
Even if Tado didn’t want to give users full control an option for a read only view to see what parameters can be changed would be beneficial.3 -
+1 to this request. I know my system has been tweaked at my request to provide longer burn times for my boiler, up from 3 minutes minimum to 10.
They might also have made adjustments to the valve opening parameters after complaints that valves were requesting heat whilst remaining closed.
I would be curious to know exactly what modifications are in place and whether there are others which might be advantageous.
Obviously warnings are essential, plus the option to save settings as they are before making additional tweaks, and a get out of jail reset to defaults for any of the overrides.3 -
I'm adding up on this request, user could use an advanced setting tab where we can tweak those settings of course with a warning to unlock them.
You could add also a tooltip with the default value for each setting and/or a button to reset it to default.
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It seems we have good momentum and a lot of support for this, thank you everyone so far for contributing! Let's keep it going. It seems to me like this suggestion would also open up the opportunity for swift implementation of other needed parameters (I'm seeing THREE threads at the top this morning requesting the ability to change the 25c limit - one is 4 years old and nothing has happened). If we have a configuration file then further parameters could be added in time without the need for UI or app changes - just a line added to the config file. The feature may still need to be developed firmware side but at least you don't need to start redesigning areas of the UI and app to do so and therefore hopefully implementation is easier and quicker.
There are many unique use cases and scenarios that Tado isn't currently accommodating for and it's driving people to return their devices and abandon what is ultimately perfectly good hardware - this can be solved! And in doing so keep many more customers happy, open up many more avenues for Tado to work where it currently does not and in theory doesn't require a huge amount of development to release this access to users in a short period of time.
It has been disheartening to look at some old threads with very good, simple parameter requests that affect lots of people (the TRV return flow temperature thread for people in Denmark for instance) and watch them go unimplemented for years. I hope that this will not be the case for this suggestion which I think has the opportunity to solve a lot of current grievances with Tado. It is potentially a relatively small development task (if we keep it done via config file through a backend) with a huge upside for lots of customers where Tado isn't working quite right out of the box.
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