No matter what your energy source, gas, electricity, LPG, you can save money by controlling your boiler, hot water and central heating system by effecting the use of thermostatic controls throughout your home.
These individual components report back to a central interface and ensure rooms do not overheat or fall below a certain temperature and with the addition of timers, allow you to heat your home or water supply only when you really need to. Let’s look at where to place them and how integral and easy to use they really are.
What Are The Different Types Of Thermostats and Controls And How Do They Work?
Thanks to technology being much more advanced these days, you can control any number of energy appliances and their output devices by simply adding electronic thermostats that not only monitor but automatically change how your central heating system works.
For individual scenarios you can place a timer on a new or old boiler. This works by allotting time periods in which your boiler will automatically be turned on by a pressure trigger switch. More advanced systems enable you to control entire household systems via the internet and any mobile phone or tablet. If your schedule is more sporadic,simply switch the heating or hot water on before you leave work and your home will be suitably warmed. If running late or not returning, you can simply turn it off again.
On a room by room basis, you can install both thermostatic radiator valves and a wall thermostat, this will monitor room temperature and turn off or reduce inbound heat to keep a stable environment. Rather than a radiator staying on full power, then turning it down because it is too hot, this process proving more costly. Advanced systems allow you to only heat required rooms at certain times. For instance if Dad wants to use the study on a Thursday night that radiator will turn on automatically, but for the other side days, it will be off.
Of course as with any system you need proper wall insulation and possibly draught excluder to ensure any room’s cold air doesn’t filter through to the rest of the house. These systems are termed Zone Controls. For those who have a separate hot water tank, this too can be monitored by way of a Cylinder thermostat which will turn your boiler off once stored water reaches a certain temperature height. Computerised thermostat controls and timers are available at every technical level, from manual to internet access panels giving you full control to save hundreds on your energy bills.
What Are The Benefits Of Controlling My Building’s Temperature
Temperature differentials equate to energy savings. Did you know that if you turn down your thermostats by just one degree, the saving can be as much as £50 or more on an annual basis. Apply that to each room and you start to gain a real perspective on what energy wastage is.
Thermostats allow you to keep temperatures moderate throughout the home. If a boiler is not spending time over heating a room, you are saving money.
Internet control panels for Zone control and automated thermostatic systems allow you to switch your heating or water supply on from a greater distance. If late or early, you can switch your heating on from the internet, or off.
What Are The Costs Of Heating Controls And How Much Can Be Saved Or Earned?
Depending on the system you buy into or individual controls plus installation fee, if not DIY – as most systems can be easily understood these days. You may be looking at an entry payment of a few hundred pounds. Less if concentrating efforts on just boilers.
However integrated systems with Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), Boiler thermostat, Zone control and room thermostats can add up depending on the size of the home or office building you are wishing to oversee. The savings will be beneficial however, some homes could see less or larger savings but on average £50 to £200 can be saved financially and from an environmental perspective, 250kg to 800kgs of carbon dioxide a year will be removed from the chain.
Is There Much Maintenance With Thermostats And Are There Any Other Issues?
Thermostats are computerised devices. As with any system it is recommended you get a certified engineer to check the parts and different monitoring systems at least every three to five years. If you notice erratic heat in any rooms or the boiler turns on or at times not set, then certain parts may need replacing or resetting. Check for manufacturer advice on any systems installed.
Is Heat Control The Right Upgrade For You And Your Home Or Business?
You cannot lose money by installing any form of thermostat unless you have one already of course. It doesn’t matter how old a thermostat is, you will still save money. The only changes in interior climate control in recent years is the ability to control an entire home by zoning areas off and enabling manual control on a panel at home or via the internet. Yes, no matter who you are, thermostats and zone control save money. Equally, turning down thermostats by one degree does also. Put a jumper on.