Winter is almost here, are you prepared? It is important to ensure that your central heating system is up to par. An enjoyable holiday season is only possible if all parts of the system are operating properly. There are a few problems that can, and usually do, occur at the most inconvenient of times. Frost damage is a frequent occurrence that can harm both boilers and pipes.
Traditionally, central heating systems were designed with the frost thermostat installed in close proximity to the boiler. The thermostat would start and stop the boiler until the desired air temperature was met. When the thermostat registered that extra heat was being released from the boiler, the central heating system would be shut down to conserve energy and prevent overheating of the home.
Modern central heating design has solved the problem of heat escape through improved insulation but in doing so, created another problem. The boiler and pipes are now much more insulated, in an attempt to conserve energy. Unfortunately, the frost thermostat is no longer capable of accurately determining the temperature. As a result, wasteful overheating can easily occur.
Installing a pipe thermostat can solve this problem. A pipe thermostat is typically placed on the outside of the boiler return pipe, measuring the temperature of the pipe (assuming copper pipes are good heat conductive materials). Its purpose is to turn off the boiler before overheating occurs. There are several new products that contain both a frost thermostat and low limit pipe thermostat, providing standard room temperature setting capabilities along with frost protection capabilities.
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. - 15485
Traditionally, central heating systems were designed with the frost thermostat installed in close proximity to the boiler. The thermostat would start and stop the boiler until the desired air temperature was met. When the thermostat registered that extra heat was being released from the boiler, the central heating system would be shut down to conserve energy and prevent overheating of the home.
Modern central heating design has solved the problem of heat escape through improved insulation but in doing so, created another problem. The boiler and pipes are now much more insulated, in an attempt to conserve energy. Unfortunately, the frost thermostat is no longer capable of accurately determining the temperature. As a result, wasteful overheating can easily occur.
Installing a pipe thermostat can solve this problem. A pipe thermostat is typically placed on the outside of the boiler return pipe, measuring the temperature of the pipe (assuming copper pipes are good heat conductive materials). Its purpose is to turn off the boiler before overheating occurs. There are several new products that contain both a frost thermostat and low limit pipe thermostat, providing standard room temperature setting capabilities along with frost protection capabilities.
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. - 15485
About the Author:
Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about central heating, boilers, Brighton boiler, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.
