Efficient Central Heating Needs the Right Thermostat for the Job
As the temperature drops, proper central heating becomes more and more important. Ensuring that your central heating system is working correctly should be a top priority for you and your family with a single faulty part capable of ruining your winter holiday season. There are a number of issues that can surface during the cold winter months. One common issue is frost damage, which can harm boilers and pipes, preventing them from working efficiently.
In previous years, the central heating system was designed with the frost thermostat located near the boiler. Its job was to start the boiler when the air temperature dropped and stop the boiler when the air temperature reached an acceptable level. If the thermostat detected excessive heat escaping from the boiler or surrounding pipes it quickly turned off the system, in order to conserve energy and prevent excessive heating of the home.
In recent years, the boiler and nearby pipes have been insulated much better (thus effectively saving energy) that the frost thermostat can no longer effectively determine when the air temperature has reached the requested degree. This can prove to be problematic, as it may lead to overheating.
A pipe thermostat can be one simple solution. This device is positioned directly on the boiler return pipe. This thermostat measures the pipe temperature and shuts off the boiler in the event of overheating. There are a number of new products that contain both a frost thermostat and low limit pipe thermostat. These products provide the ability to control room temperature and provide protection from frost.
The new thermostats are easy to install and set up. Complete installation and wiring guidelines are all contained in one box making it simple for the installer. The frost thermostat is set to a typical temperature of 5C and the pipe thermostat is put to a typical temperature of 25C. Extra frost thermostats can also be installed to provide complete defence, if the pipes are exposed further around the property (e.g. in a shed, in a garage etc.).
If the pipe thermostat fails to meet your needs, there are other solutions. A fully programmable room thermostat is one option. These devices can be installed in a number of locations throughout your home, usually in a living room or bedroom. Their job is to measure and monitor the temperature of the room. The thermostat can be set to change the room temperature several times a day, depending on the homeowner’s needs. There are several kits that operate by means of radio signal, from the thermostat to the boiler. These Radio Frequency (RF) thermostats require no wiring, which makes them very easy to install.
Thermostats are a crucial part of the central heating system but there are other considerations to heating your home as efficiently as possible. Dividing the home into heating zones can be helpful. By focusing heat solely in the most populated parts of the home, less frequently used rooms can be kept at lower temperatures. This slight adjustment can reduce heating bills and heat the home more effectively.
Comments
Leave a Reply