Remote thermostats for heating boilers

The practical use of a remote regulator - is it possible to do without it

Many private homeowners and people living in apartments with individual heating are familiar with the situation when they have to adjust the intensity of the boiler to constantly changing weather conditions. It is easier to maintain a heat-generating gas appliance in an apartment, at least in terms of the compactness of living quarters. The owners of private houses, who part-time have to be operators of boiler equipment, sometimes have to run short distances if the boiler house is not in the main building.

All modern gas units are equipped with automation that regulates the intensity of the gas burner or the frequency of its on / off.The automatic control system clearly responds to changes in the temperature of the circulating fluid, maintaining the thermal regime in a certain corridor set by the owner. But the temperature sensor that sends signals to the electronic "brains" is installed in the boiler's heat exchanger, so it cannot respond to weather changes. As a result, we have the following situation:

• it has become sharply cold outside, and the household is beginning to freeze slightly;
• there is a sudden thaw outside the window, and the windows are wide open, because in rooms with temperature pluses there is a clear bust.

It is useful to ventilate the premises intensively, but along with kilojoules, savings fly away through the window, which will have to be paid on bills for the consumed energy carrier. Shaking with unusual coolness is also good for the body, but still a constant comfortable air temperature is more pleasant and natural for housing that claims to be called modern.

To maintain the temperature regime within comfortable limits, it is not necessary to hire a stoker or run to the boiler every hour. It is enough to install a thermostat for the boiler, which would read information about the actual temperature within the living space and transfer the data to the control system that regulates the operational activity of the heating equipment. Such a move will allow you to "kill a few birds with one stone":

• maintaining a constant comfortable temperature within the housing;
• significant energy savings (gas);
• reduced load on the boiler and circulation pump (they work optimally, without overloads), which prolongs their service life.

And these are not miracles, but the result of the work of a room temperature sensor - an inexpensive, but very useful device, which in European houses and apartments (and they know how to save on a "communal apartment") is a must-have addition to heating equipment. Even the most expensive remote thermostat with a liquid crystal touch display and many functionalities easily pays for itself during the heating season.

Gas boilers, as a rule, are equipped with the simplest system for regulating the heating of the coolant. The user sets the temperature parameters using a mechanical, less often an electronic controller.

Sensors that control the heating of the liquid in the heating system, giving a signal to the automation, turning off and on the gas supply. Such a device is ineffective, since it does not take into account the heating temperature of heated rooms.

Room thermostat for gas boiler, designed for precise adjustment. Installing the sensor reduces fuel costs by 15-20%.

Mondial Series W330

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Programmable thermal controller for underfloor heating system with electric control type. There is also the possibility of manual control. Automatic data is entered for a weekly period. The maximum load is 3600 W. For maximum reliability and safety, the case is made of fire-retardant plastic. The factory temperature settings are 5-50 °C. There is an option to control via Wi-Fi. Installation can be either remote or built-in. Before being released for sale, the model is certified according to CE, EAC standards.

Thermostat Grand Meyer Mondial Series W330

Advantages:

• fire protection
• manual, remote control
• installation versatility
• programming different modes
• anti icing
• keypad lock

TOP thermostats 2017–2018

Having studied the opinions of consumers and analyzed the information of several reputable online publications that annually compile rating lists of the most discussed models of climate equipment, it is easy to conclude that thermostats of such brands as are popular:

Bosch

At the same time, the company believes that the best thermostat for a Bosch gas boiler is, of course, Bosch. And, although there is so much information on the network about the successful symbiosis of the climate equipment of this manufacturer with thermostats from other companies. However, for example, the Bosch software digital thermostat definitely deserves attention. The model is equipped with a digital display, has a temperature sensor calibration, has backup power options. The appliance can adjust the room temperature according to the time of day and the days of the week.

Temperature controller CR10

The video details the Bosch EMS series regulators.

Ariston

Also, when choosing a room thermostat for an Ariston gas boiler, you should pay attention to the thermostats offered by this Italian company. Among them, you can also find models that can program the required temperature regime not only for the week ahead, but also for any hour of the upcoming week.

There are also less complex, but cheaper options that “know how” to set the desired temperature regime for the next 24 hours. However, the availability of hourly programming helps homeowners solve a lot of problems, including saving gas and electricity.

We offer owners of Ariston boilers to take a closer look at the Sensys control panel.

Ariston Sensys control panel

Advantages:

• full system control via the bridgenet protocol;
• easy setup/management of system parameters;
• temperature control;
• display of parameters of the solar system (if connected);
• display of energy audit report (kW), solar system performance, reduction of CO2 emissions, hot water storage;
• electronic room temperature sensor;
• easy-to-manage daily and weekly programming of the heating mode;
• easy-to-manage daily and weekly programming of the DHW mode (in case of connecting an external boiler to a single-circuit boiler).

Protherm

This company also recommends connecting the thermostat to the Proterm gas boiler only when using "native" models. There are a number of reasons for this. For example, thanks to a special eBus switching bus, the temperature controller can control the modulation of a gas burner. Thermostats from other manufacturers cannot be connected in this way to the Proterm boiler. In addition, on the display of some models from Protherm, you can see not only the set operating modes of the boiler, but also the error codes that occur. In addition, the system, if necessary, is able to restart the boiler itself. In this way, the temperature of the boiler is regulated.

Exacontrol 7 room temperature controller for Proterm boilers

Buderus

Connecting a room thermostat to a Buderus gas boiler will also create fewer problems when it comes to a device manufactured by the same company. Moreover, the developers have provided a simple and intuitive interface for the device.

Programmable room thermostat Simple MMI 7 Days - with communication via the OpenTherm protocol. Designed for complete boiler control and comfortable room temperature control

RQ

If you managed to purchase a room thermostat rq10, connecting to a boiler of the same brand is not difficult. Moreover, the quality of this technique is rarely satisfactory.

Room mechanical thermostat CEWAL RQ10

Ferroli

The room thermostat for the Ferroli gas boiler is a very successful development of the Italian company.

Ferroli FABIO 1W analog two-position wireless thermostat (on/off) with daily programming

Baxi

The thermostat for the Baxi gas boiler has also become a trend. It is easy to install and manage, also featuring an intuitive adjustment system and providing significant savings to home owners.

The BAXI mechanical room thermostat is used to determine the room temperature and transmit data to the boiler, providing feedback. Regulates room temperature from 8°С to 30°С

DEVI Touch

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The DEVI Touch thermostat successfully works in heating systems or underfloor heating. The device is able to withstand a high load (3680 W), it is compatible with sensors from other manufacturers. The model is equipped with a microprocessor control unit, a large touch screen. The operating temperature range is from +5 to +45ºС. The experts liked such modern device options as frost protection, absence in the room, the function of detecting an open window. Thanks to the energy saving unit, homeowners will pay less for electricity.

Thermostat DEVI Touch

Appearance and classification

On the market in the segment of underfloor heating there is a huge selection of thermostats, so you can choose a device of any color and shape, with a filling of any complexity and cost.

Thermostats for underfloor heating are mechanical and digital.Electronic can be controlled by buttons, remote control or touch panel.

Some electronic thermostats can be programmed, and there are simple ones with an on and off button.

There are devices with a scale for selecting the desired temperature and with a display of readings at a given point in time.

Inexpensive mechanical thermostats are reliable, in the event of a breakdown they can be repaired.

Their main inconvenience is the inability to understand and see what the floor temperature is at the moment. Only by touch can you check if the system is working.

The most popular among sellers are simple electronic thermostats with a display and a floor sensor, because they are relatively inexpensive, reliable and even older people can manage them.

On simple digital thermostats with a display, you can always see the current heating temperature.

The set of underfloor heating includes temperature sensors for underfloor heating and air, together and separately, as well as infrared.

A two-level (with two types of sensors) thermostat is in some cases more economical, because it does not allow the room to overheat, as it controls the temperature of not only the heating elements, but also the air temperature in the room, and turns off when the optimum temperature is reached by any of the sensors.

Infrared sensors are good because they do not have to be mounted on the floor - they can be mounted at a great distance from the thermostat and used to set up the entire heating system. Recommended for bathrooms, saunas, showers and other rooms where there is high humidity.

Infrared sensors are best used in rooms with high humidity (sauna, shower, etc.). and the thermostat itself should be placed in a dry place so that moisture does not damage the device.

• according to the installation method - internal and external,
• according to the "stuffing" - digital and analog.

Digital sensors are more accurate, not so prone to data distortion from various types of interference.

Sensors for determining the air temperature or thermostats with a built-in sensor are usually located in a slightly dark place, away from heat sources and outside the area heated by direct sunlight, at a height of about one and a half meters.

Internal sensors are located in the thickness of the floor next to the heating cable, mats or foil. The data from this sensor is transmitted to the device monitor.

You can connect temperature sensors directly to the thermostat or place a junction box between them.

Can underfloor heating work without a thermostat?

You can get by, but this is inefficient, because the function of the device will have to be taken over and the entire heating system turned on or off manually.

The failure of the thermostat or its absence immediately leads to an excessive consumption of electricity, and sometimes to a breakdown in the heating system itself.

Therefore, it is better to evaluate in advance the upcoming mode of operation of the warm floor and purchase a device with the necessary functions for each room.

Economy thermostat

Energy savings when using a thermostat depends on the type of device and reaches 70%.

Usually, for small rooms (bathroom, toilet), a simple mechanical or electronic thermostat with a minimum of functions is chosen. The room is not used according to the schedule, it should be warm there day and night.

In large rooms, it is much more efficient to use a programmable thermostat that controls several parameters at different times of the day.

The more parameters are involved, the more energy savings can be obtained.

Studies have shown that thermostats provide different savings:

• Non-programmable - up to 30%,
• Programmable - up to 70%.

2 Layer

The digital thermostat is designed to maintain the temperature in the domestic incubators "Laying hen" in the range from 33 to 45 ° ± 0.5 °. In addition, due to the built-in hygrometer, the model monitors humidity once per minute and displays data on the display in turn with temperature. It is convenient that the device is equipped with additional terminals for connecting the battery and an automatic network switch from 220V to 12V.

In addition to the actual thermoregulation, the device is responsible for controlling the automatic egg turning unit, thereby reducing the human factor. Functionality and minimal cost make the device popular among farmers and owners of poultry farms, which is why it is quite difficult to find it on the free market.

The best choice

The selection of a thermostat for a heating boiler is based on the personal preferences of the owners of the premises. When choosing, you should consider what characteristics are required when using a particular boiler.

Wired or wireless

The communication of the control unit with sensors and the boiler for different models is carried out by wire or wireless. In the first case, a wire laying is required. The cable length reaches 20 m. This allows you to mount the control unit at a great distance from the room in which the boiler room is equipped.

Wireless thermostats for a heating boiler are designed as a receiver and transmitter. A distinctive feature of products of this type is the absence of the need for wiring. The transmitter signal can reach a distance of 20-30 m. This allows you to install the control panel in any room.

Temperature setting accuracy

Depending on the design of the room thermostat, the setting of the room temperature differs. Inexpensive models have mechanical control. The disadvantage of cheap thermostats is the error, reaching 4 degrees. In this case, the temperature adjustment step is one degree.
Products with electronic control have an error of 0.5 - 0.8 degrees and an adjustment step of 0.5o. This design allows you to accurately set the required power of boiler equipment and maintain the temperature in the room within a certain range.

Possibility to set the hysteresis value

The room thermostat for a gas boiler has a difference between the on and off temperatures. It is necessary to maintain optimal heat in the room.

Hysteresis principle

For mechanical products, the hysteresis value does not change and is one degree. This means that after switching off the boiler unit will start working after the air temperature in the room drops by one degree.
Electromechanical and electronic models have the ability to set a hysteresis. Adjustment allows you to change the value up to 0.1 degrees. Thanks to this design, it is possible to constantly maintain the temperature of the room in the desired range.

Programming capability

The function is only available for electronic or electromechanical thermostats. It is possible to program the control unit to set the temperature by the hour. Depending on the model, the thermostats are programmable for up to 7 days.
So it is possible to make the heating system with the gas boiler turned on autonomous. At a certain time, the thermostat connects, disconnects the boiler or changes the intensity of its work. With weekly programming, gas consumption can be reduced by up to 30 percent.

WiFi or GSM

Thermostats with built-in wi-fi and gsm module are connected to the Internet. To control the heating, gadgets with installed applications are used. This is how remote shutdown, connection of the boiler and adjustment of the temperature indicators in the heated room are carried out.
Using the gsm standard, the room thermostat transmits information about the occurrence of malfunctions in the heating system to the owner's phone. It is possible to remotely turn on or off the gas boiler.

Safety

When choosing a thermostat for gas boiler equipment, you should pay attention to the presence of security systems. Functions are available to prevent the stop of the circulation pump, protection against freezing or exceeding the maximum temperature in the heating system, etc.

The presence of such options allows you to safely use boiler equipment offline.

Homemade external thermostat for the boiler: instructions

Below is a diagram of a home-made thermostat for a boiler, which is assembled on Atmega-8 and 566 series microcircuits, a liquid crystal display, a photocell and several temperature sensors.The programmable Atmega-8 chip is responsible for compliance with the set parameters of the thermostat settings.

Scheme of a homemade external thermostat for the boiler

In fact, this circuit turns the boiler on or off when the outside temperature drops (rises) (sensor U2), and also performs these actions when the temperature in the room changes (sensor U1). Adjustment of the work of two timers is provided, which allow you to adjust the time of these processes. A piece of circuit with a photoresistor affects the process of turning on the boiler according to the time of day.

Sensor U1 is located directly in the room, and sensor U2 is outside. It is connected to the boiler and installed next to it. If necessary, you can add the electrical part of the circuit, which allows you to turn on and off high-power units:

The electrical part of the circuit, which allows turning on and off high power units

Another thermostat circuit with one control parameter based on the K561LA7 chip:

Scheme of a thermostat with one control parameter based on the K561LA7 microcircuit

The assembled thermostat based on the K651LA7 chip is simple and easy to adjust. Our thermostat is a special thermistor that significantly reduces resistance when heated. This resistor is connected to the electricity voltage divider network. This circuit also has a resistor R2, with which we can set the required temperature. Based on such a scheme, you can make a thermostat for any boiler: Baksi, Ariston, Evp, Don.

Another circuit for a thermostat based on a microcontroller:

Scheme for a thermostat based on a microcontroller

The device is assembled on the basis of the PIC16F84A microcontroller. The role of the sensor is performed by a digital thermometer DS18B20. A small relay controls the load. Microswitches set the temperature that is displayed on the indicators. Before assembly, you will need to program the microcontroller. First, erase everything from the chip and then reprogram, and then assemble and use it to your health. The device is not capricious and works fine.

The cost of parts is 300-400 rubles. A similar regulator model costs five times more.

A few last tips:

• although different versions of thermostats are suitable for most models, it is still desirable that the thermostat for the boiler and the boiler itself be produced by the same manufacturer, this will greatly simplify the installation and the operation process itself;
• before buying such equipment, you need to calculate the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room and the required temperature in order to avoid “downtime” of equipment, and changing wiring due to the connection of devices of higher power;
• before installing the equipment, you need to take care of the thermal insulation of the room, otherwise high heat losses will be inevitable, and this is an additional expense item;
• if you are unsure that you need to purchase expensive equipment, then you can conduct a consumer experiment. Get a cheaper mechanical thermostat, adjust it and see the result.