Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRV's) & central thermostat

mefifi

New to this forum, been on-off lurker for a while.

Any central heating experts? Or anyone also have TRVs and no central thermostat?

My gas is fairly high and am wondering if it has to do this with this... I have TRVs on all my rad (besides bathroom) and no central thermostat thing. I can adjust the TRVs on each room and there is also a dial on the boiler (combi) to tone the heat up and down as well - but no xx degress setting.

My GSH is about 11 years old, I have a combi boiler. It's an old drafty house anyway.

Is it worth getting a central thermostat? Can they be easily retrofitted without mess and cables? And will it help to reduce my bills?

diywhynot

mefifi wrote: »

Is it worth getting a central thermostat? Can they be easily retrofitted without mess and cables? And will it help to reduce my bills?

Yes (programmable roomstat), it depends on your boiler and yes. More here.

mefifi

Thanks that's really helpful.

I have a timer on my boiler already. So thinking keep that but just get a room thermostat.

closed

turn down the trvs to save money

Avoriaz

mefifi wrote: »

.... It's an old drafty house anyway...

Reducing or eliminating the drafts should be your priority.

That would reduce your gas bills.

Mr_Ted

It became a common deficiency, IMO, when TRV's 1st came out to NOT fit a Room Stat and rely on the TRV's, but there can be problems with that!

It is now a Regulation requirement on new installs to fit a Room Stat, and would also be advisable to add one as long as its fitted in a common area, the hall usually, and no TRV is on the rad in that area, otherwise the TRV will override the required effect and it could cost you more in gas?

mefifi

My GCH was fitted around 11 years ago, so prob fits in with what you're saying Mr Ted.

I am thinking of a wireless one, fitted into my living room. My kitchen (where the boiler is) is really cold - solid stone floor, large glass doors and a high ceiling. Hardly used in the Winter.

Avoriaz I've been busy filling the gaps in my drafty floor boards which i think has helped a bit too. Am in the process of making some thermal lined curtains as well.

mefifi

So... can anyone recommend a good and not ugly wireless room thermostat?

Mr_Ted

Most are about the same esthetically but dont forget you will have to have a receiver installed also!

The beauty of a wireless(RF=Radio Frequency) is that you can take it with you into any room to control the temperature in the room your in, remembering of course that other rooms will be heated accrordingly, or not?

A.Penny.Saved

I would of thought that not having a thermostat will cost you more money because the boiler will be running for longer periods and never switching off until the timer turns it off. Therefore it will be burning gas for long periods, whereas a thermostat will cut the boiler when the set temperature has been exceeded.

TRV's will only prevent the central heating system water from being cooled by the radiators, it won't stop natural losses in the pipes, which might not even be insulated.

diywhynot

mefifi wrote: »

So... can anyone recommend a good and not ugly wireless room thermostat?

Honeywell CM 927.