Manual Mode vs Heating Mode – LP92 Smart Heating Switch
The LP92 Smart Heating Switch has two operating modes, Heating Mode and Manual Mode, which are designed for different types of heating systems. Choosing the correct mode is important, as selecting the wrong mode is a common cause of issues, especially with boiler systems.
🔥 Heating Mode (Built-in Thermostat Control)
Heating Mode is designed for electric heaters, such as panel heaters or towel rails, where the LP92 controls temperature directly.
How it works:
• The LP92 uses its built-in thermostat to measure room temperature
• The device decides when to turn the heater on or off based on the target temperature set in the app or via a Schedule automation
• You create schedules directly on the heating switch
When to use Heating Mode:
• Electric heaters
• Towel rails
• Any system where the LP92 is directly controlling the heat source and no other thermostats are being used to control the heat source
👉 In this mode, the LP92 acts as a thermostat and controller in one.
🔘 Manual Mode (Boiler / External Thermostat Control)
Manual Mode is designed for boilers and systems with external thermostats, where the LP92 acts as a switch rather than controlling temperature itself.
How it works:
• The LP92’s internal thermostat is disabled
• The switch only turns heating on or off when triggered either via the app or a call for heat automation
• Heating is controlled by external thermostats or TRVs (e.g. DT3, HR91/HR92)
• These devices send a call for heat when a room is below temperature
• When all rooms are satisfied, the system turns off automatically
When to use Manual Mode:
• Boiler-based central heating systems
• Systems using smart TRVs or external thermostats
• Underfloor heating systems with thermostats in each room and LP92s controlling actuator valves
👉 In this mode, the LP92 acts as a boiler or zone switch, not a thermostat.
⚠️ Common Mistake (Important)
Heating Mode is often selected because it sounds like the correct option for heating.
However, for boiler systems and underfloor heating, this is incorrect and can cause the system not to work as expected.
👉 In these setups, Manual Mode should be used instead.
Switching to Manual Mode typically resolves issues where:
• The boiler is not responding correctly
• Heating is not triggering from thermostats
• The system is not following expected behaviour
⚠️ Key Differences
| Feature | Heating Mode | Manual Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Thermostat used | ✅ Built into LP92 | ❌ Disabled |
| Best for | Electric heaters / towel rails | Boilers / underfloor heating |
| Temperature control | At the LP92 | External thermostats / TRVs |
| Scheduling | On the LP92 | On thermostats / TRVs |
| Automation type | Device-based schedules | Call for heat |
🔄 How Scheduling Works
• Heating Mode:
Schedules are created directly on the LP92.
• Manual Mode:
Schedules are created on thermostats or TRVs, using call for heat to control the system.
Call for Heat Setup guide
Schedule setup guide
✅ Summary
• Heating Mode = built-in thermostat control (electric heaters only)
• Manual Mode = external thermostat control (boilers, TRVs, underfloor heating)
If your system uses a boiler, TRVs, or underfloor heating, it should almost always be set to Manual Mode, even though Heating Mode may seem like the correct option.