Installation and Use of system controls
Smart thermostats are the latest trend in home heating. A smart thermostat can switch your heating/hot water on or off remotely via the internet – so you can use your smart phone to turn them on when you’re on your way back from holiday, or off when you pop out unexpectedly. Many of these programmable digital heating systems show you how much heating you’re using. Some smart thermostats also monitor your usage and learn your routine. There are several brands of smart heating thermostats on the market, and each works in a slightly different way.
Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/smart-thermostats/article/what-are-smart-thermostats – Which?
Programmable Room Thermostats allow the programming of different room temperatures at different times of the day thus combining the functions of the time-switch and the room thermostat and, as a result, giving better control and therefore better comfort conditions. Programmable room thermostats would usually be located in the hallway or lounge. they can be difficult to set-up initially, but are effective in keeping an optimum control of temperature.
Programmers switch the heating or hot water on/off in accordance with pre-set times or customers own set times. These can be external to the appliance or integrated into boiler control panel.
Wireless Room Thermostats are available for situations where it is impractical to install a cable between the boiler and the control.
Room Thermostats monitor air temperature and switch the central heating on/off relative to set temperature. Usually located in the hallway or the lounge, 1.5 metres above ground level for optimum comfort.
Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRV’s) monitor air temperature in the room and close off the flow of water to the radiator when the set temperature is achieved. As the room starts to cool down the valve will re-open allowing heat to flow to the radiator again. Most commonly TRV’s are manually controlled and have a mechanical device incorporating a wax capsule that expands and contracts as the air temperature rises and falls. Nowadays, more complex but more controllable wireless battery operated TRV’s have become a choice for those with a keen eye on their energy consumption, a downside to most would be the extra costs involved in purchasing the wireless models.
Zone Valves, 2 or 3 port motorised valves are used to split the system into zones. Commonly used to separate central heating and hot water or to split a heating system for an upstairs and downstairs heating circuits. These are controlled via the room/cylinder thermostats and also the programmer.
Cylinder Thermostats are a control which is strapped onto the hot water cylinder and monitors the temperature of the domestic hot water. It will switch on/off the boiler via the hot water motorised valve. To reduce the risk of legionella poisoning we recommend a minimum temperature of 60’c.
Outside Temperature Sensors can be wired into the system to allow more accurate control in differing weather conditions.
Frost Thermostats are used to protect the boiler against freezing. Usually installed when the boiler is located in an unheated space e.g. garage, outhouse etc. Many modern boilers have a built in frost thermostat.
Time-switches switch the boiler on/off in accordance with pre-set times. It is not possible to programme hot water and central heating individually. Often time-switches are integrated into the boiler control panel.
Manual Radiator Valves are used to turn the flow of water through the radiator on or off. Another purpose is to balance a radiator, to allow an even flow throughout your heating system.
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