Integrated Heating Controller with SMS capability

tippgaafan

Hi,
I am currently completing my final year college project. I have decided to design and construct a PLC based controller for use in the home. The design will incorporate a Solar controller,HRV controller, DHW and heating zone control along with an oil tank level and theft detection device. This will eliminate the need for seperate controllers. I am looking for some feedback from the regular posters on this forum, in relation to the level of interest in such a device, and any comments on the following features:

-Visual indication of oil tank level
-System will activate an output and send a text message if level drops too quickly
-SMS notification when oil tank needs topping up (can be direct to supplier)
-Inputs & outputs for solar sensors and circulation pump
-Integration of heating system and solar system to activate heat dump when required
-Visual indication of HW temp
-Inputs & outputs for thermostats and zone valves
-Automatic adjustment of boiler temperature based on external temperature
-Heating circulation pump overrun facility
-Hour data logger for boiler use (indicate when service required)
-Outputs for HRV level setting
-"Away" setting. Reduces HRV level and turns off heating when active. SMS message to re-enable system prior to home arrival
-Smoke alarm input. Will turn off HRV if activated.
-Solar top up. Option for Immersion or boiler.

Question's:
If you have a Solar system installed, does it have a heat dump facility ?
If you have a HRV system installed, does it have provisions for fire ?
Have you ever run out of oil ?
Have you had oil stolen from oil tank ?

All feedback both positive and negative appreciated...

Dtp79

tippgaafan wrote: »

Hi,
I am currently completing my final year college project. I have decided to design and construct a PLC based controller for use in the home. The design will incorporate a Solar controller,HRV controller, DHW and heating zone control along with an oil tank level and theft detection device. This will eliminate the need for seperate controllers. I am looking for some feedback from the regular posters on this forum, in relation to the level of interest in such a device, and any comments on the following features:

-Visual indication of oil tank level
-System will activate an output and send a text message if level drops too quickly
-SMS notification when oil tank needs topping up (can be direct to supplier)
-Inputs & outputs for solar sensors and circulation pump
-Integration of heating system and solar system to activate heat dump when required
-Visual indication of HW temp
-Inputs & outputs for thermostats and zone valves
-Automatic adjustment of boiler temperature based on external temperature
-Heating circulation pump overrun facility
-Hour data logger for boiler use (indicate when service required)
-Outputs for HRV level setting
-"Away" setting. Reduces HRV level and turns off heating when active. SMS message to re-enable system prior to home arrival
-Smoke alarm input. Will turn off HRV if activated.
-Solar top up. Option for Immersion or boiler.

Question's:
If you have a Solar system installed, does it have a heat dump facility ?
If you have a HRV system installed, does it have provisions for fire ?
Have you ever run out of oil ?
Have you had oil stolen from oil tank ?

All feedback both positive and negative appreciated...

Looks good. Maybe have an option for heating the dhw once a week to over 55 degrees to kill any possibility of legionares.
Also if there's a sudden drop in the oil tank maybe it could send SMS and activate a few cameras
No harm incorporating a CO ALARM with the smoke alarm

paddy147

Dtp79 wrote: »

Looks good. Maybe have an option for heating the dhw once a week to over 55 degrees to kill any possibility of legionares.
Also if there's a sudden drop in the oil tank maybe it could send SMS and activate a few cameras
No harm incorporating a CO ALARM with the smoke alarm

Some solar systems come with an "anti-legionares" button built in as standard.

Press it once,and the water and any bugs/diseases get zapped.:)

tipperary

Sounds great. Would be nice to have the following:
- data logging to sd card
- remote login to view historical data and change heating settings

Let us know how you get on.

Irish Steve

Suggested additional input(s).

Frost stat, i.e. external air temperature, to be placed at a suitable point(s) and detect trigger temperature to activate system to prevent freezing of vulnerable components. particularly relevant to external boilers and cold roof spaces where there are storage tanks

Ability to send SMS to device if system fails to start as a result of trigger from cold sensors.

tippgaafan

Thanks for the responses.

I have already made provisions for the suggested items:
- Boost to 60 degree daily to eliminate risks
- External temp sensor will be installed
- I have the option to program the system to send an SMS on any desired input\condition change

I am currently analysing the performance of my own home before optimising the settings on the new controller. I used dataloggers to analyse boiler "Actual burn" time Vs boiler "Timer On". I monitored the voltage at either side of the boiler cutout stat to achieve this. I am also monitoring the solar contribution to the system and performing a cost analysis of Immersion Vs Oil to boost water temp . It costs €1.75 to heat 300litres of water from 10 C to 63 C using oil. This was over 2 hours, with a boiler firing time of 53mins (35.8ml/ min oil usage)

Thanks again for the feedback...