Towel Radiator electronic timer?

NewtoDIY

I want to put a bathroom towel radiator on its own zone so that I can control it independently (summer months etc.). It's not electric and only comes on with the central heating at present. Can anyone recommend a good but simple electric timer that would allow me to specify times when it can come one/off and also, where there might be say a function to just put it on for 1 hour max att he touch of a button?

keystone

What system have you got?

Y or S plan with conventional or condensing system boiler?

Combi boiler?

Cheers

NewtoDIY

I think S plan soon to be zoned into 3 separate zones + extra zone for towel rad. Currently 2 Baxi solo boilers (system) running in tandem.

keystone

So is your towel rad plumbed off the primary circuit? If so it is already independent of the CH system as it is operational when DHW heat is called for. In that case I see not the need for a separate zone for it.

Cheers

NewtoDIY

It's not zoned of yet. At the moment, it comes on with the main central heating. It will be zoned off (along with the other floors soon), and then I'll need a controller for it.

keystone

OK so as it will have to be repiped anyway to meet your needs why not just repipe it to run off the primary and avoid the complication and expense of a spoecial zone just for one rad?

Cheers

NewtoDIY

Thanks for your advice! I'm not a plumber but if it is running off the primary, how is it going to be operated without its own timer/programmer?

The plan is to use 3 honeywell cm927s - one for each floor. In addition, the hot water will be separately controlled with a programmer, and then this one towel rad in the bathroom needs to be separately controlled. I don't want it to come on with the general heating which is what is happening now.

keystone

NewtoDIY wrote: »

Thanks for your advice! I'm not a plumber but if it is running off the primary, how is it going to be operated without its own timer/programmer?

With the DHW. Water heating on - towel rail on. You could also fit a dual fuel towel rail if you want it on at other times with the electric element controlled by timer.

Come to think of it if you just fitted a dual fuel one anyway you could leave it attached to the CH pipework and run it when you want whether the CH is on or not. I just think that trying to create a separate zone for it is massively overcomplicating the challenge you have given yourself.

Cheers

NewtoDIY

keystone wrote: »

With the DHW. Water heating on - towel rail on. You could also fit a dual fuel towel rail if you want it on at other times with the electric element controlled by timer.

Come to think of it if you just fitted a dual fuel one anyway you could leave it attached to the CH pipework and run it when you want whether the CH is on or not. I just think that trying to create a separate zone for it is massively overcomplicating the challenge you have given yourself.

Cheers

A dual fuel towel rad is not an option as the bathroom is already tiled and there's no easy way to fit the necessary electrics without serious destruction there.

There's more flexibility with being able to control it independently. For example, say I want to dry washing/towels in this bathroom - I need heat but why would I want to heat the entire water tank at the same time. Surely it's better to call for the heat that is required?

It doesn't look like too much more work. Fortunately, all the pipework for zoning the entire house into 3 appears to lie within a run of 3m. So just adding a 4th zone isn't that complicated but as I see it, adds lots of flexibility.

keystone

NewtoDIY wrote: »

A dual fuel towel rad is not an option as the bathroom is already tiled and there's no easy way to fit the necessary electrics without serious destruction there.

Ahh OK I see now.

For example, say I want to dry washing/towels in this bathroom - I need heat but why would I want to heat the entire water tank at the same time.

You don't but the towel rail operates when the DHW is calling for heat. Slightly the reverse but has the same effect.

It doesn't look like too much more work. Fortunately, all the pipework for zoning the entire house into 3 appears to lie within a run of 3m. So just adding a 4th zone isn't that complicated but as I see it, adds lots of flexibility.

Thats fine if you are happy with that solution then. Its your house after all.

Cheers

NewtoDIY

Thanks again for your input. Am going to research some of the automated heating systems out there.