Can I 'remote control' electric heating over the internet?

BPG_2

Hi All, I'm new here, but after searching a while, there dosn't seem to be any threads for this so here goes:
I have a flat with no gas supply and I'm often away on business. I have storage heaters, but I'm not wanting to leave these on permanently due to the cost, but need a nice warm place to come home to.
My idea is to leave a couple of SH's on to keep jack frost at bay, and use elec heaters to warm the place when needed. What would be great here is if I could 'dial home' over the internet and somehow remote control them to start about an hour before I get home. Any ideas on this?

Sooler

here

http://www.heatmiser.co.uk/pclink.htm

and here

http://www.heatmiser.co.uk/pcconnect.htm

Cardew

There certainly are all remote control systems for thermostats - as shown in the links above.

However I would think it would require extensive modification(and cost) to Storage heaters(which are not the most sophisticated electronic appliances) to be able to switch them on a day in advance and the regulate the input and output controls.

penrhyn

Why not get a friend to pop in and turn the heating back on for when you return.

BPG_2

Thanks - I'l look into this, but from first glance it looks great to have something to control thermostats, but I need the thermostats to control the heaters themselves. This would only be a part of the answer?
Thanks Cardew, I don't want to control the SH's (as you say, that would be difficult), they will just be left on to make sure the place doesnt freeze. It's new heaters I want to be able to control.

BPG_2

Thanks penrhyn, but i'm looking for a tech solution. I think freinds and neighbours would get fed up doing this rather quickly.

Terrylw1

Can't you use E7, E10 or an OP meter solution to provide heat or will that be too costly due to the length of time on? Could you not use a private timeswitch to override the full burst provided by the meter timeswitch if so?

BPG_2

I have E7, but as I'm away for days on end, this seems an expensive option.
I really just want something where I can turn on about 5 elec appliances about 2 hours before I get there (which I don't often know before I leave) without completely rewiring the place. Any ideas ?

Sooler

See here may be ... Home Automation info

http://www.simplyautomate.co.uk/GuideToStarterKits.asp?Cat1=44

Terrylw1

If you have E7 metering, that has a timeswitch attached that is going to switch your heating for 7 hours overnight anyway.

So, whilst you will be controlling your day time via automation (if you can find it) you will need to get this meter changed or your timeswitch is still going to work and use 7 hours of heating per day.

You need some sort of radio teleswitch that you can control, maybe Sooler's links will help.

BPG_2

Sooler wrote: »

See here may be ... Home Automation info

http://www.simplyautomate.co.uk/GuideToStarterKits.asp?Cat1=44

Hi Sooler - That looks absolutely brilliant - just what I need - I'll need a couple of weeks to get that ordered, installed and set up, then I'll report back
I'll need PCLink or something like it to remote acess the control PC. Any recommendations anyone? (as I would rather not pay a monthly charge - trying to save money after all)