Heating controls

Smiley_Dan

I wonder if anyone has any input.

Situation: twenty two radiators, although only 50%ish of these are used most of the time, one oil boiler. TRVs on 80% of them. 24 hour programmer on the boiler. Beefy 12kW wood stove in the lounge.

What I want: TRVs throughout the house and decent control over zoning so I can turn off the boiler when all the rooms we want to heat are up to temperature. Also, seven day control.

I know about the new programmable TRVs you can get, but they are expensive. If we added them to our current used rads, plus added the programmer unit, that's best part of £750.

I have it in mind we will be reducing our heat demand with the coming years as we seek to insulate, tighten, insulate, insulate a bit more, tighten, then finish insulating (hope you get the idea).

At that point we may consider our heating options - UFH (disruptive, but if it's a one off...). heat pumps? Anyway, the point is this system may not stay for longer than, say, five-ten years, so I baulk at spending £750, we won't see that money back.

Are there any ways of lowering the cost of heating controls? They aren't normally covered by grants etc.

System

I have the EvoHome system and I agree that the auto TRVs are expensive. I am confident that we will save money but I doubt that we will recover the investment in the near term. That said, saving money wasn't the only factor that pushed us towards the Honeywell product. There are probably better forums than MSE if you want detailed advice. Try Automated Home - heating controls.