Heating Control

Controlling a heater means controlling it and not keeping it static in a certain operating state. The aim is to implement a control system that covers the heating requirements as precisely as possible in order to operate the heating system with the best possible efficiency .

A perfectly functioning and optimally adjusted heating control helps to save energy, to reduce the running operating costs and to protect the environment.

Modern and intelligent heating controls not only increase the comfort of living, but also offer extensive comfort functions. Thus, digitized wireless heating controls can be operated comfortably via the home PC or even via the app on the smartphone.

It is also possible to query and monitor current operating states. Some systems can send a corresponding message in the event of a fault and thus help to avoid unpleasant surprises in the event of a failure of the heating system.

Heating controls are available for various components of heating systems.

The most well-known are certainly the radiator thermostats; these are the room temperature controllers directly attached to the radiators. Mechanical radiator thermostats are still the most widely used. As a rule, they do not have a direct temperature setting in degrees Celsius, but only a scale with dimensionless numerical values, ranging from 1 to 6, for example. Electronic radiator thermostats are much more comfortable and precise. They allow an exact and in degrees Celsius readable setting of the desired room temperature and regulate very precisely and sensitively. By means of an in-built clock, you can program different day and week programs for the respective desired temperature.

Mechanical bimetal regulators are the easiest to set up. Electronic controllers are more precise and partly also allow PWM controls instead of a simple on-off control . Digital room thermostats are the most efficient. They can be freely programd by the user. All settings can be made easily and the current temperature can be controlled via their display. Room thermostats are available both with built-in temperature sensors and with a remote sensor , for example to determine the maximum permissible operating temperature of floor heating. The switching outputs are either intended for fixed wiring or the room thermostat communicates via radio with the suitable receivers that control the associated actuators. Also available are types as adapter for earthing contact sockets.

The so-called universal or general purpose thermostats are usually designed as simple on-off controllers . They are also available as mechanical, electronic and digital controllers. Depending on the width of the adjustable temperature range, they are universally suitable for various purposes in the area of heating and cooling technology. Built-in and industrial thermostats are used – also as two-step controllers – to control heating and cooling systems. Depending on requirements, they are intended for installation or attachment or are available in versions for DIN rail mounting.

Wireless heating controls not only allow for simple modernization of older heating controls, they also save expensive cabling for new systems and thus reduce installation costs.

Not only classic actuators such as actuators for floor heating, but also wireless radiator thermostats and numerous other components can be integrated. Depending on the version, there are extended and very comfortable application possibilities in connection with applications such as Conrad Connect, Apple HomeKit or IFTTT.

Modern high-efficiency heating pumps with integrated electronic control functions contribute to efficient operation of the heating system . Their power consumption is considerably lower than conventional, unregulated heating pumps, which leads to significantly reduced electricity costs during the relatively long running times over the heating season. In addition, they reduce disturbing flow noises at radiators and in the pipe system, as they continuously adjust the pump speed and flow rate to the actual demand.
Modern heating controls not only increase the comfort in living rooms and work rooms, but also provide for considerable energy and thus cost savings through sophisticated functions. In addition to the pure comfort gain, the installation of modern electronic heating controls often pays off after a short time.

Depending on the heating system, the required components are obtained. Heat-sink thermostats can be found virtually anywhere and can be easily replaced by electronic thermostats. Wireless radiator thermostats can also be easily integrated into wireless heating controls . The local operability of the electronic thermostat is nevertheless maintained at all times.

Floor heating in buildings of older design do not yet have a modern single room control. Often, only the flow regulator on the heating circuit distributor achieves an approximation to the desired temperature by trying out the space for a long time; the actual control is performed centrally via the external temperature sensor and the flow temperature. Influences such as sunlight or the operation of other heat sources in the rooms are not taken into account. In any case, retrofitting a radio-based single-room control system is worthwhile here.

Old heating pumps are real power guzzlers and should be replaced with new high-efficiency pumps. They work autonomously and self-adapting, no further control unit is necessary.

Wireless heating controls are available in versions that can be integrated into home automation systems. Systems that can be operated remotely, for example via a smartphone, are also available. This can be useful if continuous monitoring and control is required, as in holiday homes or during holiday periods.

Circulating pumps in heating and hot water circuits are usually long-lasting. However, after a long period of operation, the bearings may wear and produce rattling noises, which may be heard through the transmission of structure-borne sound in the piping system throughout the house.
Replacement is relatively easy if there are shut-off devices in the piping at the suction and pressure side of the existing pump. After disconnecting the electrical connections on the old pump, the shut-off valves are closed and the union nuts on the pipe flanges are carefully loosened. An underplaced bucket catches water. Now the old pump can be removed. Install the new circulation pump in reverse order. It should be noted that new seals, which are usually already included in the delivery, are used and that the pipe fittings are checked for leaks after installation . The heating system should then be bled.

You need a radio heating control, consisting of the required number of radio room thermostats and radio receivers or a multi-channel radio receiver and the associated actuators. No intervention in the water circuit is necessary .
Install the radio room thermostats in the individual rooms in a suitable place. Ideal for this are positions at inner walls, which are not exposed to the sun during the course of the day . The radio receiver is mounted near the heating circuit distributor and requires mains voltage for power supply. After installing the control motors on the heating circuit distributor, they are electrically connected to the radio receiver. Now you only need to program the radio room thermostats on the receiver ( Attention: Observe correct assignment to the servo motors and the heating circuits!) and check the function.

Application example 3: Replace thermostatic valves on radiators

By unscrewing the cap nut on the old thermostat, you can easily remove it from the control valve. Water does not leak. The new thermostat valve is fitted in the correct position and the union nut tightened again. Electronic thermostatic valves now automatically carry out an adaptation, so that the time and date have to be set and the desired heating program has to be selected.