Simple On/Off Controller for Oil Burner (Wireless)

thecommander

I would like to be able turn an oil heating burner on and off remotely. The house it's in is unoccupied and I want to make sure pipes don't freeze in the winter.

There's internet in the house, so would like to be able to switch it on once I know that the temperature is going to be below freezing. The house is up in the mountains so drops below 0 a good bit during the winter.

There's a digital timer controller there at the moment.

Any suggestions? It's only going to be used until next March and then the house is being renovated so I don't want to go crazy buying loads of stuff.

Crunchienut

Not sure if this suggestion is of any use nor do I know what it would cost but when I got my oil heating many years ago the installer put a froststat in the outside boiler house. When the temperature drops below the level on the dial the burner runs for a few minutes until it heats up a bit. When the weather is very cold it usually kicks in for a while during the night. The dial on the stat can be adjusted to the temperature you want it to run the boiler.

I'm not a heating expert so don't know if it can be retro fitted and it obviously cannot be remotely accessed

thecommander

Crunchienut wrote: »

Not sure if this suggestion is of any use nor do I know what it would cost but when I got my oil heating many years ago the installer put a froststat in the outside boiler house. When the temperature drops below the level on the dial the burner runs for a few minutes until it heats up a bit. When the weather is very cold it usually kicks in for a while during the night. The dial on the stat can be adjusted to the temperature you want it to run the boiler.

I'm not a heating expert so don't know if it can be retro fitted and it obviously cannot be remotely accessed

That could work too. Thanks for that, don't mind burning through a bit of oil if it keeps everything in order.

Graham

You might get a few more ideas searching in either the Heating & plumbing forum or the new 'home automation' forum.

thecommander

Graham wrote: »

You might get a few more ideas searching in either the Heating & plumbing forum or the new 'home automation' forum.

Actually thought I had posted it in home automation!

Graham

thecommander wrote: »

Actually thought I had posted it in home automation!

Looks like you have

A frost stat is probably your cheapest solution, otherwise nest/hive will work if you don't mind spending more. There's a few similar products, I just wouldn't be as familiar with them.

wandererz

Take a look at Heatmiser.

You need 2 things:
1) A wifi hub that connects to your Internet router
2) An electronic timer that connects wirelessly to the WiFi hub.

App installs on your phone or tablet and can control from wherever and whenever across the Internet.

perhaps call Heatmiser in the UK and ask them which item best suits your needs for item 2 above.

Stoner

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lgbpgxzkd135s64/816207363_34522.jpg?dl=0

CT2

I used a WeMo plug to control a simple on/off of the heating. Set it up for my mothers house, to help her control her heating. It connects throw the wifi and can be controlled via your phone remotely. I replaced the old timer control with a simple plug, then connect the remote plug.

thecommander

CT2 wrote: »

I used a WeMo plug to control a simple on/off of the heating. Set it up for my mothers house, to help her control her heating. It connects throw the wifi and can be controlled via your phone remotely. I replaced the old timer control with a simple plug, then connect the remote plug.

One of these?
http://www.harveynorman.ie/computing/networking-and-connectivity/belkin-wemo-home-automation-switch.html

Are there any ongoing costs, or just a one off purchase?

Stoner

CT2 wrote:

I used a WeMo plug to control a simple on/off of the heating. Set it up for my mothers house, to help her control her heating. It connects throw the wifi and can be controlled via your phone remotely. I replaced the old timer control with a simple plug, then connect the remote plug.

I've been wondering about this it's a great idea one I'd like to copy for my mother .
How did you deal with the permanent live ( if required) on the boiler, usually there is a switched live a permanent live neutral and earth.

As you most likely know the permanent live stays live after the switched live is turned off, it can power the circulation pump for a while to squeeze as much heat from the warm water as possible, in some cases it also powers a fan to cool and prolong the life of the boiler.

Did you link the permanent live directly to the boiler from the spur ? And bring neutral switched live and earth from the WeMo. Or have you a different system cabled differently?.

How did you deal with timers and boost features ?

Thank you

CT2

thecommander wrote: »

Are there any ongoing costs, or just a one off purchase?

no extra costs. app is free to download. works with IFTTT as well, so you could create a recipe to turn on when the temp gets too cold in a location.

CT2

Stoner wrote: »

I've been wondering about this it's a great idea one I'd like to copy for my mother .
How did you deal with the permanent live ( if required) on the boiler, usually there is a switched live a permanent live neutral and earth.

As you most likely know the permanent live stays live after the switched live is turned off, it can power the circulation pump for a while to squeeze as much heat from the warm water as possible, in some cases it also powers a fan to cool and prolong the life of the boiler.

Did you link the permanent live directly to the boiler from the spur ? And bring neutral switched live and earth from the WeMo. Or have you a different system cabled differently?.

How did you deal with timers and boost features ?

Thank you

Its just an on/off switch in this system.I just replaced the timer in the house with a plug & socket.