Need Help Understanding Boiler System

Isco

Hi folks, was hoping I might get a bit of help here in understanding my heating system. I am unsure whether I should be leaving the boiler in the bedroom on constantly or whether I should be just turning it on and off depending on when I need hw or ch. I have a Nest thermostat installed and just want to be getting the most out of it and my heating system. Would anyone be able to tell me what the best way of using this is? I'll attach photos of the boiler and water tank below.


Something I don't understand is that yesterday I had the ch on for half an hour. Once the apartment got up to the right temperature and the nest turned off the ch, I then went and turned off the boiler in the bedroom. When I turned the boiler on this morning the radiators started to heat up even though I did not have the ch turned on on the Nest.

Sorry that this is a bit of a ramble, I have absolutely no idea about any of this sort of stuff.

seamus

Rule 1 is generally, don't mess with the boiler. Leave the boiler switched on all the time, leave the controls on the boiler unit alone.

Determining whether you want/need water or rads is done by the control unit and thermostat, in this case your Nest.

Nest is a learning thermostat, which means that when the Nest thinks you need to heat up the apartment, it sends the command to fire up the boiler and heat the rads.

Assuming your Nest is multi-zoned it will also look after the hot water for you.

If you switch off the boiler, the Nest will be trying to switch it on to call for heating and hot water, and is going to get all sorts of confused when the temperature doesn't change.

Generally, here's what you do:

- Leave the boiler switched on all the time. The boiler only fires when heating is required so the cost of leaving it permanently on is minimal.

- Use the Nest to adjust the temperature: If you feel cold and the Nest does not show that it is heating, turn the Nest up to call for heat. It will heat the apartment to that temperature and switch off. If you feel too warm and the Nest is still heating the room, turn the Nest down until it switches off.

Over time the Nest will then learn your patterns, the temperature that you prefer (and when you prefer it), and will drive the boiler to do it.

Tbh though, it would be impossible for anyone here to tell you exactly how your boiler is connected up; the Nest may not be controlling your hot water. It might be worth getting a plumber out for an hour to look at the system, adjust the boiler correctly (I'm sure you've messed with the dials!) and explain to you how to get the most of out it.

Your Gas provider will be able to send out a plumber if you don't know any.

Isco

seamus wrote: »

Rule 1 is generally, don't mess with the boiler. Leave the boiler switched on all the time, leave the controls on the boiler unit alone.

Determining whether you want/need water or rads is done by the control unit and thermostat, in this case your Nest.

Nest is a learning thermostat, which means that when the Nest thinks you need to heat up the apartment, it sends the command to fire up the boiler and heat the rads.

Assuming your Nest is multi-zoned it will also look after the hot water for you.

If you switch off the boiler, the Nest will be trying to switch it on to call for heating and hot water, and is going to get all sorts of confused when the temperature doesn't change.

Generally, here's what you do:

- Leave the boiler switched on all the time. The boiler only fires when heating is required so the cost of leaving it permanently on is minimal.

- Use the Nest to adjust the temperature: If you feel cold and the Nest does not show that it is heating, turn the Nest up to call for heat. It will heat the apartment to that temperature and switch off. If you feel too warm and the Nest is still heating the room, turn the Nest down until it switches off.

Over time the Nest will then learn your patterns, the temperature that you prefer (and when you prefer it), and will drive the boiler to do it.

Tbh though, it would be impossible for anyone here to tell you exactly how your boiler is connected up; the Nest may not be controlling your hot water. It might be worth getting a plumber out for an hour to look at the system, adjust the boiler correctly (I'm sure you've messed with the dials!) and explain to you how to get the most of out it.

Thanks very much for this. Yeah it probably would be best to get someone out to look at it because I am totally clueless. Thanks again!