The research initiative ‘Carbon Control and Comfort’ by the UCL Energy Institute engaged households in the design of heating control systems. The project was carried out between 1/04/2009 – 30/09/2012, and was sponsored by the EPSRC and E.ON. The aim of the project was to understand householders’ comfort practices and design of heating systems in helping with increasing comfort, reducing energy bills, and reducing carbon footprint. The researchers undertook field trips in Leeds and Merthyr Tydfill (South Wales) in order to test intelligent automation and user driven controls. The research findings were part of a larger study for the development of toolkits for the UK social rented sector for installation, management, and maintenance of control systems.