Heating control options - An article about thermostats and controls
Room Thermostats and Controls
In the past, the use of thermostats was automatically associated with central heating in a family house. However, with the arrival of new technologies and the boom in new buildings with independent heating control in each housing unit, it is increasingly common for apartment residents to regulate the temperature in individual rooms of their home as well.
A thermostat is used to set the optimal room temperature in a house or apartment. It senses the room temperature and, based on this, "communicates" with the boiler, trying to regulate its heating output so that the temperature in the house always matches the user's setting. That is why it is worth paying proper attention to choosing a thermostat, as the right choice not only enhances the correct operation of a quality boiler but also helps achieve savings on heating costs.
Manual thermostats for boilers and water tanks
Manual thermostats are among the simplest controls for heating systems. They allow you to set the heating and night temperature, but you cannot program specific hours or days when you want heating on or off. They are also used with water tanks, as they can maintain a constant water temperature in the boiler.
One of the best-selling types in this category is the non-programmable thermostat Avansa 2003, suitable for controlling most boilers sold in Slovakia. Its digital display, compared to simple thermostats, allows for more precise temperature measurement, based on which it can switch the boiler on below the set temperature and off above it. The difference between the set and actually measured room temperature (the so-called switching sensitivity) can be selected between ± 0.2 °C, and with its high level of comfort, it also ensures a reduction in energy costs.
Another popular type is the Euroster Q1 with a daily program allowing two different temperatures to be programmed for the day, with one automatic change at a set time.
Programmable thermostats for heating houses and apartments
Programmable room thermostats are the most widely used and best-selling type of thermostat. They allow you to regulate the daytime heating temperature and night temperature according to user settings. The thermostats offered are potential-free, meaning they switch a contact through which no electric current flows, and only the closing of the contact on the boiler signals a heating request.
The Avansa 2007, programmable a week in advance, can be set for a heating or cooling system. It allows you to set 6 different switch-on times, with each switch-on able to be set to a different temperature within a 0.5-degree range. The thermostat is also equipped with a pump protection function, meaning that if the boiler has not been switched on for more than 24 hours, it will turn it on for one minute every day at 12:00.
Also popular among customers is the intelligent room thermostat Euroster Q7 with a weekly program and backlight, which allows setting up to nine different time zones for each day of the week, with a choice of any temperature for each zone. All temperature and setting values are clearly displayed on the backlit display, and in case of temperature changes during the day, it automatically sets their optimal values at the required time.
Wireless thermostats
The wireless design of the thermostat allows the transmitter to be placed anywhere without the need to run cables. They are resistant to signal interference and require no complicated setup. The portability of the thermostat will be especially appreciated by those renovating an older property. It is also an advantageous solution when the user needs to use the device in different rooms at different times of the day.
The most popular wireless models are Avansa 2003 TX or 2007 TX or Euroster Q1 TX and Q7 TX, which have two units - a control unit (thermostat) and a boiler control unit. Both are connected via radio frequency, so there is no need to build wiring between the thermostat and the boiler. The thermostat and receiver have their own security codes, so external signals cannot interfere with their safe operation.
Original controls for boilers
If you have a new boiler, especially a condensing one, it is recommended to use an original thermostat. This is not a marketing strategy, but a fact that an original thermostat fully cooperates with the boiler's electronics and ensures smooth regulation of its output, provided the boiler has this function. If you have decided to purchase a boiler that does not have smooth output regulation, a classic thermostat can also be used. In our range of original thermostats, you will find brands such as Bosch, Vaillant, Protherm, Salus, Buderus, Bergen, Viessmann, Honeywell, Siemens and others.
Other options in the world of room thermostats and controls
The possibilities of thermostats do not end with the basic classification mentioned above. Solar controllers are also available for owners of solar collectors, as well as programmable thermostatic radiator heads and thermostats for circulation pumps.
For demanding clients who favor the latest technologies, the internet-connected programmable weekly thermostat SALUS 091FLRF is available with a backlit display in a wireless version with a receiver with a range of up to 150 m in open space. It is designed for almost all gas and electric boilers, as well as for wood, pellet, or coal boilers that support two-point switching. Another advantage, besides control via mobile apps for Android and iOS systems, is frost protection at the level of 7°C, which is especially useful for weekend houses or cottages.
Atria SK, s.r.o. has been specializing in online sales of heating technology for seven years now. It has business partners and customers in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, and Croatia, and its portfolio includes quality, time-tested brands offered in its e-shop. To make the selection of individual heating technology components simple and clear, the company is available to every customer to address their individual needs. So do not hesitate to contact us with your questions at any time - our experts will be happy to advise you at info@atria.sk .