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Home Heating Assessment: Plumber or Electrician?

  • 30-10-2012 4:58pm
    #1
    WetDaddy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,399 ✭✭✭


    I have one of those god-awful 15-minute interval, mechanical peg button timers that's on it's last legs. I really want to replace it but at the same time I have a couple of desirable features. Ideally, I want to do the following:

    1. Replace the programmable timer with something that is IP-enabled / controllable via PC or smartphone
    2. Move this timer / switch to a different location in the house (*and* have the replacement act as a thermostat as well)
    3. See if it's possible to isolate the hot water tank in some fashion so I can use the same new replacement timer / thermostat to heat only the immersion / hot water tank from time to time.

    I think the best way to do get some of these answers would be to get someone who knows these things out to the house :) The question is, do I need an electrician or a plumber? I would do the electrical work myself, except moving the boiler switch will probably involve re-running wiring etc. (I want to move it from the kitchen to the hall or at least another location in the kitchen) and I would almost certainly screw that up...

    Any suggestions on what route I should take on this? Is point #2 above likely to be a costly job or something that's relatively trivial?

    Thanks in advance!


Comments

  • #2
    shane0007
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,677 ✭✭✭shane0007


    Probably your easiest option is a Climote controller. It has a built in thermostat, can operate up to 3 channels and can be turned on or off and adjust the temperature remotely from a smart phone or by text.
    The downsides are the cost. €299 to supply and install but also an annual subscription for the SIM card of, I think, €35 per year.

    There are other cheaper options such as switches with SIM cards but I don't think they have temperature control. These can be bought at most electrical suppliers.

    Your biggest challenge will be re-routing the existing wiring to the new location.


  • #3
    WetDaddy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,399 ✭✭✭WetDaddy


    Thanks for the reply and all the details!

    In the meantime, I've seen the following Wifi-enabled time-clock: http://www.heatmisershop.co.uk/thermostats-c1/wifi-thermostats-c12/230v-or-volt-free-switching-models-c32/heatmiser-tm1-ts-wifi-wifi-time-clock-p100

    This looks like it's almost exactly what I need: A new time clock that's IP-enabled and I don't have to get messy with thermostats.

    However, one thing I'm not clear on is if I can still operate it physically (i.e. set the heating to come on / turn off *without* using a browser / smartphone but instead just my fingers :)). It seems like madness to me if the only control was over IP, but there's not a clear answer anywhere. It does say "touchscreen enabled" but the photo is disconcerting.

    Does anyone have any experience with these units?


  • #4
    shane0007
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,677 ✭✭✭shane0007


    I installed them but it was a full Heatmiser system. The touch screen that they are talking about is the central controller called a "TouchPad". It is installed in conjunction with their HRT room stats. The room stats have built in time clocks but do not work with on/off controls but time periods that are temperature controlled. Each zone is set individually by the stat, but the TouchPad can control all. You will need one HRT-HW that will control the room temp that it is located byput it also has DHW function.
    The NET side talks to the rest of the system as you described above.

    Serious bit of kit, but very expensive. The TouchPad cost over €400 alone.
    It must also be wired with CAT5e screened cable. You will also need some UH1 centres and they cost about €100 each.


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