Saving electricity and gas, a stable comfortable temperature, a minimum of time spent adjusting heating equipment - all this is not a whim, but well-founded requirements for a properly organized heating process.
Therefore, the connection of a room thermostat to a gas boiler, to ensure all of the above conditions, becomes an obvious necessity. We will talk about the principle of operation of the thermostat and about the varieties of the device. Let's analyze the differences in the functionality of different models.
The article describes in detail the principles of connecting a temperature controller. The rules for installing different versions of the device are given. Following our recommendations, you can perform the installation yourself, without resorting to the help of heating engineers.
Advantages of using a thermostat in heating
Gas heating in itself is a blessing and significantly increases the quality of life. But the simplification of the management of gas heating equipment is no less relevant.
Setting and controlling the operation of the gas boiler can be carried out in two ways - manually or using a thermostat, which automatically ensures stable temperature conditions.
Manual adjustment helps to set a specific coolant temperature in the system - when the temperature rises to the set values, the boiler turns off, when it decreases, it turns on. As a result, the temperature in the house is maintained at a certain level.
But with a change in temperature in the street, the established mode is incorrect and you have to manually reprogram the heating device. Such manipulations are carried out throughout the heating season, and this is inconvenient.
A sharp increase in temperature outside the building, heating the room with sunbeams often require an immediate shutdown of the heating system. Timely shutdown will be performed by the temperature controller
In addition, manual adjustment means the gas boiler operates in a constant on-off mode, with a working cycle period of about 10 minutes. This does not affect the duration of the boiler in the best way.
Even in a system with manual adjustment, regardless of the heating function, a constant circulation of the coolant with the help of pumping equipment is provided, which means that excess energy is consumed.
The use of a thermostat to control the operation of the gas boiler completely eliminates the problems of timing, and also eliminates sudden jumps in temperature
Automatic adjustment, unlike manual control, turns off the circulation pump. In response to the temperature of the air in the room, and not the coolant in the heating circuit, the thermostat for the heating boiler maintains a stable temperature in the room.
As a result, the microclimate in the house improves significantly, the frequency of switching on the boiler decreases, which means that its service life is increased.
Energy savings by using an automatic temperature controller reaches 30%, but even the cheapest programmer saves at least 15%
Using a thermostat also has other advantages:
- the device sets the optimal / economical temperature mode depending on the time of day;
- solves the problems of gas boiler timing - frequent switching on and off;
- facilitates operation and increases the reliability of the heating system.
This is only part of the obvious benefits common to all types of temperature controllers.The advantages of individual models can be studied in more detail immediately before purchase.
Types of temperature controllers for gas boilers
Thermostats can be divided into three main types: mechanical, electronic and electronic wireless.
Wired models cost less, but require cabling - it is better to install a thermostat on a gas boiler before or during repair work in the house. Wireless models are more expensive, more functional, more convenient.
The choice of thermostat for connection to a gas heating system is carried out taking into account the following basic criteria:
- functionality;
- adjustment accuracy;
- the cost of the thermostat;
- ease of use and installation.
By functionality, they distinguish:
- simple thermostats - help maintain the desired temperature in the house;
- Wireless temperature controllers - have a transmitter unit, which is placed in another room for more precise temperature control;
- programmable - allow you to set a stable temperature regime separately for day and night, to program the operation of the heating system by day of the week, which significantly reduces fuel consumption;
- with hydrostat function - they help to control the humidity level in the room, reducing or increasing it according to the settings.
- With an additional floor sensor - the model is used, inter alia, to adjust the temperature of the coolant in the "warm floor" system.
- With an additional water heating sensor - the device is used to adjust the temperature of hot water supply and to control the heating system.
Separately, it must be said about programmers - thermostats that are more complex in terms of functionality, which are installed, including for controlling climate systems in the so-called smart homes.
There are Wi-Fi models of voice-controlled thermostats. Such room thermostats support several foreign languages, can be controlled using a smartphone. During a power outage, the memory enable function is activated, which saves the programmer settings
Programmers control the work of not only heating and water heating equipment, but also air conditioners, pumps, and other devices. Some of them help to program individual temperature conditions for each day of the week with the ability to set from 1 to 6 fixed mode points.
General principles for connecting the thermostat
The method and connection diagrams of the thermostat to the heating equipment itself can be found in the technical data sheet of the gas boiler. Modern equipment, regardless of the manufacturer, suggests the presence of connection points for the thermostat. Connection is made using the terminals on the boiler or the cable of the temperature controller included in the delivery.
In the case of using a wireless thermostat, the measuring unit should only be placed in the living room. It can be the coldest room or the room where the largest number of people, the nursery, are going to.
Install the temperature control unit in the kitchen, hall or in the boiler room, where the temperature regime is unstable, it is impractical.
Sunlight should not fall on the thermostat, it should not be located in a draft, close to heating appliances and electrical equipment that emits a large amount of heat - thermal noise adversely affects the operation of the device
The connection of various types and models of thermostats can have its own characteristics, installation is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, which is attached to the device.
Recommendations include a comprehensive description of the operation of the regulator, method and connection diagrams. Next, we will tell you how to properly connect a thermostat to a gas boiler and about the installation features of the most typical controller models.
Mechanical thermostat connection
The mechanical thermostat is characterized by reliability and simplicity of design, low cost, long-term operation.
However, it supports only one temperature mode, which is set by changing the position of the handle at the temperature scale. Most temperature controllers operate in the temperature range from 10 to 30 ° C.
To connect the mechanical thermostat to the air conditioner, use the NC terminal, to gas or any other heating equipment - the NO terminal
The mechanical thermostat has the simplest principle of operation and is triggered through the opening and opening of the circuit, which occurs using a bimetallic plate. The thermostat is connected to the boiler through the terminal box on the boiler control board.
When connecting the thermostat, pay attention to the marking - it is present on almost all models. If there are no signs, use the tester: pressing one probe to the middle terminal, second check the side and determine a pair of open contacts
Installation of electronic thermostat
The design of the electronic thermostat requires an electronic board that is responsible for controlling the device.
The potential is the control signal - voltage is transmitted to the boiler input, which leads to the closure or opening of the contact. A voltage of 220 or 24 volts must be connected to the thermostat.
Electronic thermostats allow for more complex settings of the heating system. When connecting an electronic thermostat, a power wire and a neutral wire are connected to it. The device transfers voltage to the boiler input, which starts the operation of the equipment
An electronic thermostat is used to organize the operation of complex climate systems. It will help in managing not only an atmospheric or turbine gas boiler, but also a pump, air conditioning, servo in the heating system.
How to connect a wireless thermostat?
The wireless thermostat consists of two units, one of which is installed in the living room and acts as a transmitter. The second unit is mounted near the boiler and connected to its valve or controller.
Data transfer from one block to another is carried out over the air. To control the device, the control unit is equipped with an LCD display and a small keyboard. To connect the thermostat, the sensor address is set and the unit is installed at a point with a stable signal.
Thermostat connection diagram for breaking the circuit - the equipment is turned on when the current appears. A similar circuit is used when connecting a mechanical thermostat
The main disadvantage of a wireless thermostat is that the remote unit is powered by batteries that have a limited life and therefore require frequent replacement. To ensure smooth operation, the device is equipped with an alarm function that warns of the need to replace the battery.
How to connect a thermostat to a gas boiler:
Room thermostats for adjusting the heating system:
Self-assembly of the device should not cause absolutely any difficulties. But do not forget when connecting the thermostat to the gas boiler to study the instructions that are attached to the device and the technical documentation for the heating equipment.
Tell us about your experience in choosing and connecting a thermostat to a gas boiler. Share useful information that may be useful to site visitors. Please leave comments in the block form below, ask questions, publish photos on the topic of the article.