I am looking at adding some automation to the control of the heating system into our work building. We occupied this 6 year old building last Summer so have experienced the challenges last winter of controlling its temperature with the very limited controls currently fitted to the system.
I am determined to have a better situation this Winter , so Ive started looking at some of what is available and have focused in on Z Wave sensors, switches and controllers etc. I can see that there is quite a range of Z Wave products available but I coultnt find any sensors for measuring boiler water temperature.....either a thermocouple type probe to insert into the piping or something that could be fixed to the outside of a pipe ??
My system comprises
An Oil fired boiler, circulating hot water to areas 1 & 2 below (pump runs when boiler is powered)
Hot water is circulated to area 3 by an additional pump, operated by a manual switch.
1. Workshop area heated by 2 fan assisted radiator type ceiling height heaters
2. Showroom area heated by 2 fan assisted radiator type ceiling height heaters
3. Office / other space heated by regular radiators.
Currently the only controls are
Boiler: A 7 day timer controlling the boiler on / off + onboard jacket water temp thermostst
1. Workshop : A 24 hr (basic manual 1/4 hr ) Timer controlling the 2 Air Fans on / Off
2. Showroom: A 24 hr (basic manual 1/4 hr ) Timer controlling the Air Fan on / Off
3. Office Some TRV's
There are no air temp thermostats fitted anywhere in the building
Area 2)... Showroom has large windows and gets a lot of heat from sun on bright days
I can see how I can greatly improve the situation by having some more intelegent control, by installing ;
A Controller capable of remote control
A Wall Thermostat in each of the 3 “Zones “ above....workshop / Showroom / Office
A Boiler receiver unit (or 2 channel receiver....boiler & Office area circ pump)
Some Radiator Thermostat Valves
I need to be able to monitor the circ water temperature also, and while I could switch the fan s on heaters on / off by wiring in a pipestat in series with the power to these....Im wondering can I do this wirelessly by a wireless water temp sensor ?
Currently the 24 hr timer will run the fans blowing cold air if water circ temp is not sufficient.
Also, how best can I incorporate the external temperature into my system to allow different start up times depending on the outside temp ?
I would appreciate any pointers on this project.
Many Thanks
Tom
I am determined to have a better situation this Winter , so Ive started looking at some of what is available and have focused in on Z Wave sensors, switches and controllers etc. I can see that there is quite a range of Z Wave products available but I coultnt find any sensors for measuring boiler water temperature.....either a thermocouple type probe to insert into the piping or something that could be fixed to the outside of a pipe ??
My system comprises
An Oil fired boiler, circulating hot water to areas 1 & 2 below (pump runs when boiler is powered)
Hot water is circulated to area 3 by an additional pump, operated by a manual switch.
1. Workshop area heated by 2 fan assisted radiator type ceiling height heaters
2. Showroom area heated by 2 fan assisted radiator type ceiling height heaters
3. Office / other space heated by regular radiators.
Currently the only controls are
Boiler: A 7 day timer controlling the boiler on / off + onboard jacket water temp thermostst
1. Workshop : A 24 hr (basic manual 1/4 hr ) Timer controlling the 2 Air Fans on / Off
2. Showroom: A 24 hr (basic manual 1/4 hr ) Timer controlling the Air Fan on / Off
3. Office Some TRV's
There are no air temp thermostats fitted anywhere in the building
Area 2)... Showroom has large windows and gets a lot of heat from sun on bright days
I can see how I can greatly improve the situation by having some more intelegent control, by installing ;
A Controller capable of remote control
A Wall Thermostat in each of the 3 “Zones “ above....workshop / Showroom / Office
A Boiler receiver unit (or 2 channel receiver....boiler & Office area circ pump)
Some Radiator Thermostat Valves
I need to be able to monitor the circ water temperature also, and while I could switch the fan s on heaters on / off by wiring in a pipestat in series with the power to these....Im wondering can I do this wirelessly by a wireless water temp sensor ?
Currently the 24 hr timer will run the fans blowing cold air if water circ temp is not sufficient.
Also, how best can I incorporate the external temperature into my system to allow different start up times depending on the outside temp ?
I would appreciate any pointers on this project.
Many Thanks
Tom
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