Nest Thermostat Question.

ClaretBen

Hello all.

I had the Nest thermostat installed the other day, aware that it just controlled the heating and not the hot-water.

A very pleasant chap came and installed it where our old 'push-pin' thermostat used to be. This controlled everything, water and heating.

I can't post a photo of the set-up as I don't have enough posts here, nor link to the Nest forum. If anyone could look at the UK/EU Nest Community and the thread 'Placement of Heat Link' by JabberTheClaret it would probably be easier than me trying to explain it here.


Any advice would be very welcome. All the info is in that thread and a photo of the set-up I'm querying.

Thanks.

thesteve

What's the question?

ClaretBen

He installed the 'Heat Link' where the timer used to be. The Heat Link is WiFi linked to the thermostat. Reading further, he should have left a means of controlling water too.

In our hot press we have a switch fitted that allows us to put the radiators on seperately upstairs and down, or at the same time. My query was whether the Heat Link should perhaps have been fitted here and whether this basic switch would allow us to get another thermostat upstairs to basically 'zone' the heating. There's two wires from the pipes which are both wired into what looks like a double light-switch.

It's difficult to explain without pictures.

ted1

ClaretBen wrote: »

He installed the 'Heat Link' where the timer used to be. The Heat Link is WiFi linked to the thermostat. Reading further, he should have left a means of controlling water too.

In our hot press we have a switch fitted that allows us to put the radiators on seperately upstairs and down, or at the same time. My query was whether the Heat Link should perhaps have been fitted here and whether this basic switch would allow us to get another thermostat upstairs to basically 'zone' the heating. There's two wires from the pipes which are both wired into what looks like a double light-switch.

It's difficult to explain without pictures.

The NEST isn't desinged to do the hot water. You should have done more research

ClaretBen

ted1 wrote: »

The NEST isn't desinged to do the hot water. You should have done more research

The first line of my initial post states I was aware. It would be helpful if you'd read the full post. The set-up is supposed to leave scope to control both.

Nutsyg

I was thinking bout getting one of these nest thermostats. Anyone know if installing the heat link is just a matter of removing my current immermat timer and replacing with heat link. Am I correct in thinking the "call on heat" wire is the live out on the current timer.

ted1

Nutsyg wrote: »

I was thinking bout getting one of these nest thermostats. Anyone know if installing the heat link is just a matter of removing my current immermat timer and replacing with heat link. Am I correct in thinking the "call on heat" wire is the live out on the current timer.

There now free with electric ireland http://www.electricirelandstore.ie/content/nest/535?gclid=CNH045WU5MECFeNQ2wodgTkAkQ

Wearb

ted1 wrote: »

There now free with electric ireland http://www.electricirelandstore.ie/content/nest/535?gclid=CNH045WU5MECFeNQ2wodgTkAkQ

Just had a look at the site. New customers €0, existing customers €99. Lesson: if you are an existing customer leave right away and see what offer they will have to get you back.

ted1

Wearb wrote: »

Just had a look at the site. New customers €0, existing customers €99. Lesson: if you are an existing customer leave right away and see what offer they will have to get you back.

New customers may be in cheaper tariffs. I just left them last month as my discount was up. Hope they still have the deal in 11 months, sounds like it's here for good.

Wearb

For what it's worth, I am not a fan of nest. It is way too restrictive in the way it only controls one device. I am reading about the Conrad Max system at the moment and it seems a way better option. There are other ones out there also from the main heating control manufacturers which are worth looking into.

Nutsyg

I just saw this offer today myself. I had ordered my nest on Monday but it hasn't shipped so I cancelled and I'm gonna go with the electric ireland deal.

jamesd

I have dual heating and 2 zones (upstairs and down).

We have a solid fuel stove with a boiler that heats water and also the downstairs radiators.

We then have oil which can heat upstairs rad's and or downstairs rad's depending on which zone we turn on with the programmer.

We have a stat in the kitchen and then a stat in the master bedroom.

I am wondering would the Nest suit this type of system?

Beside the programmer there is a wall switch which says "Hot Water" on it which I can press when I only want hot water and it call's the oil on.

Wearb

jamesd wrote: »

I have dual heating and 2 zones (upstairs and down).

We have a solid fuel stove with a boiler that heats water and also the downstairs radiators.

We then have oil which can heat upstairs rad's and or downstairs rad's depending on which zone we turn on with the programmer.

We have a stat in the kitchen and then a stat in the master bedroom.

I am wondering would the Nest suit this type of system?

Beside the programmer there is a wall switch which says "Hot Water" on it which I can press when I only want hot water and it call's the oil on.

My understanding of the nest is that it will only control one zone and if you need more zones you will need to purchase more units

jamesd

Wearb wrote: »

My understanding of the nest is that it will only control one zone and if you need more zones you will need to purchase more units

Yes I would need 2 nest thermostats.

dracularsa

Wearb wrote: »

For what it's worth, I am not a fan of nest. It is way too restrictive in the way it only controls one device. I am reading about the Conrad Max system at the moment and it seems a way better option. There are other ones out there also from the main heating control manufacturers which are worth looking into.

Wearb, could you get an electrician in Ireland to install the Conrad system - it looked very interesting so I emailed the supplier - German. They don't have any official installers in Ireland. That system looks exactly like what I am interested - I want more control for the different rooms in our house but zoning is not an option as I live in a bungalow with converted attic. At this point I am lying in a warmed bedroom while the kitchen downstairs are being heated to - such waste!!! So point control at each radiator sounds great.

Wearb

It doesn't take an electrician to install it. If you already have thermostatic radiator valves, then it just a matter putting the Conrad heads on them. (unless you have the old larger threaded valves, then the whole valve will need to be changed) Then just getting everything talking to their Conrad cube or whatever their control centre is called. Come to think of it, you may need someone to wire in the boiler control, but you may have that wired into your existing system. It should be a simple job for any heating technician or any electrician that has worked on heating controls.

I went for the cheaper option of the non wireless rad heads as they -along with my existing system- give me control over rooms that are rarely used along with some that are. I have my heads set for on times and temperatures. For instance. I have one of the unused rooms coming on for an hour at 19.30 at 17C. Bear in mind that the heating will have been on for a few hours by this time and my controlling room stat may only call for heat for less than half an hour during this 1 hour period. Therefore even though I have that room stat set to come on for an hour it may be only getting heat supplied for a half an hour. That is not a problem, because I can play around with time and temp on the PRV (programmable thermostatic valve) until I get that room to heat the way I need it to. Just enough to keep it from getting damp really.

If I had gone for the whole wireless setup, it could have been setup so that each rad could call for heat individually. This would work fairly ok with a modulating boiler, but could be a bit wasteful on a non modulating one, when for instance only one rad was calling for heat. However I think it would be less wasteful than having two rads calling for heat when there was only one needed. There are ways around this using heat stores.
Ok I am probably doing your head in by now, so I leave my thoughts on it at that.