The main benefit of an intelligent thermostat is that it allows you to control the set temperature of your heating from distance and can follow up your consumption from an application on your smartphone.
With the Alféa ai range (Atlantic Interface) we can offer this functionality through our application Cozytouch.
In general only the Atlantic Interface compatible room sensor can control the modulation of a HP (or other heat generator). A thermostat, even an intelligent one, is only capable of switching on and off the heat generator. For a heat pump this can induce more start-stop cycles that would be necessary with a room sensor. Each start of an electric motor comes with a surge in electrical consumption and it puts the compressor under pressure. Too many stat-stop cycles will drive electrical consumption up and will shorten the lifespan of the compressor.
This is why it is not advisable to use a third party thermostat to regulate the functioning of a heat pump.