Sonoff has released a significant firmware update for its TRVZB Zigbee Thermostatic Radiator Valve, introducing a “Smart Temperature Control” feature. This update (v1.4.4) moves the device away from basic binary switching to a more sophisticated PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) algorithm.
What’s PID and How Does it Work?
Previously, the Sonoff TRVZB operated on a simple “On/Off” logic: the valve would fully open when the room was below the target temperature and fully close once that target was hit. This often led to temperature overshooting and inconsistent room climates.
With the new firmware, the valve dynamically adjusts its opening percentage:
- Rapid Heating: When the current temperature is far from the setpoint, the valve opens fully.
- Precision Throttling: As the room approaches the target temperature, the valve gradually closes to prevent overshooting.
- Maintenance Mode: Once the target is reached, the valve fine-tunes its position to maintain a stable temperature rather than shutting down completely.
The SONOFF TRVZB’s transition from basic binary switching to a dynamic PID algorithm allows the valve to intelligently throttle its opening based on real-time heat demand. By gradually reducing the opening as the room approaches its setpoint (rather than slamming shut only after the target is met), the update eliminates the common issue of temperature “overshooting.”
For the user, this results in a significantly more stable and comfortable room climate, while simultaneously boosting energy efficiency by preventing the radiator from running at full power longer than necessary.
How To Update TRVZB Valve Firmware
Platform support for the new PID feature is rolling out in stages. As usual, Zigbee2MQTT (Z2M) users already have access to the update file via OTA. Here is the list of all official platform you can use to update the Sonoff TRVZB to version 1.4.4 or later:
- Zigbee2MQTT
- Sonoff ZBBridge-P (V3.0.0)
- Sonoff ZBBridge-U (V1.18.0)
- NSPanel Pro (V4.4.0) (Beta)
- iHost (V2.10.0)
Firmware upgrades are currently not supported directly through ZHA. SONOFF has submitted the necessary materials to the Home Assistant team and is awaiting approval for native OTA support. You also need a custom quirk applied in ZHA to fully utilize the TRVZB in Home Assistant.
You can get the Sonoff TRVZB on Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon NL, Amazon FR, Amazon IT or Sonoff Website.
