Replacing central heating control panel

Morgana667

Hi guys, 

Completely clueless on this I’m afraid, but we are having our kitchen renovated and have this really ugly and old central heating control panel that will now sit on a lovely freshly tiled white wall. We are going for a very minimalistic look so this will be an eyesore if ever there was one, photo attached. 

Can this easily be replaced by an electrician? What do we even look for as a replacement?   

Thanks in advance! 

Le_Kirk

You could use this or another one or, of course go wireless such as Nest or Hive.

Morgana667

Thanks Le_Kirk, much appreciated!

getmore4less

Just get it moved somewhere hidden(change to always on) and get a programmable thermostat to replace that,  wherever that is.

Should be possible to remove it completely.

There is no need for a separate time control these days.

Other solutions are available if you want to get fancy with your heating.

Morgana667

Thanks getmore4less, l didn’t think it would be a simple job to just move it as we’re trying to keep the cost to a min after the extensive renovation. Will explore your options too! 

Bendy_House

What type of system do you have? Clearly you have a hot water cylinder, but do you know what pump and valves setup you have? And boiler make and model?

If you post a pic of your hot tank, also showing the pump and valves in there, we should be able to advise further.

Or, can you tell us if you have full independent control over your hot water and central heating? Ie, you can run either without it affecting the other?

Greatgimp

I'm waiting for the original poster's reply as I want to do exactly the same. My heating is fully independent of each other (heat and water) with two motor valves in the attic and fed by an oil boiler.

Bendy_House

Greatgimp said:

I'm waiting for the original poster's reply as I want to do exactly the same. My heating is fully independent of each other (heat and water) with two motor valves in the attic and fed by an oil boiler.

In which case a neat solution could be to replace that unit with a 2-channel Hive. And I think the least disruptive way would be fit the Hive's receiver where that timer is - quite possibly a straight swap, no rewiring - and the Hive Thermostat unit can be mounted in the best location - probably on the sitting room wall.

Instead of that old timer, there would be a plain box with a couple of lights. The Hive will give you programmed control over the CH and DHW.

One issue would be the existing wall 'stat; that would ideally require removing, which means it would be disconnected at the boiler's wiring centre. Until this is done, I think the new system should work provided the old room 'stat is kept at a high temp setting - ie above what the actual room temp with ever be.

I think this would work. 'Twould be nice to have confirmation from sparky-types.

Greatgimp

Thanks Bendy, I'll look into it.

FreeBear

Also have a look at the Drayton Wiser system - They do two versions, a single channel model for combi boilers, and a two channel for CH/DHW systems. Cheaper than Nest/Hive and you still get an app if you really want one.

Greatgimp

So, to get a straight forward replacement, I'm being pushed to rely on my flaky internet connection. Is there nothing out he that's just as simple as whats on the wall, but with the ability to retain memory in the event of a (frequent) power cut.