Programmable thermostat reccomendation

Niv

Looking for a straight forward programmable thermostat so I can split the temp setting between day and night. Not bothered if its wired or wireless, doesn't need to be app controlled (but equally not bothered if it is/can be). Current location of thermostat is in the hallway which is where I intend to leave it.
Thoughts? 

BUFF

what is your existing controller?
type of boiler (ideally make & model) & hw system?
Do you have a budget & do you intend to DIY?

FreeBear

Tado are currently on offer at Screwfix.

Drayton Wiser is often recommended by posters here.

Niv

Thanks for the feedback.

If it makes any difference my boiler is a grant vortex 15-26S.

The controller is a 'Center' one with no model number or other distinguishing marks but looks like this one on ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/123966049979 which is described as 'Center EHE0200160 7 Day Electronic 2 Channel Programmer like ST6400C'

I will DIY the job, its not complicated. 

FreeBear

Two channel - So you have a hot water tank that is heated via the boiler ?

In which case, I don't think a Tado will do the job. Drayton Wiser do a two channel variant that will do both central heating and hot water.

ThisIsWeird

That's a Programmer - timer - you've linked to. What about the room thermostat itself? To get what you are after - different temps for different times of the day - you will need to replace both (sorry if that is stating the obvious).

You also have a hot cylinder? In which case you will need a two-channel controller to retain control over your Domestic Hot Water.

There are a couple of issues that make your setup a bit more complicated than most, and certainly not make it a straight swap. The first is that the back plate for your current programmer is not a common 'standard', and will need to be swapped for the one that'll come with new unit, and the second is that you'll also need to disable/by-pass your existing room stat in the hallway, and most likely use a wireless type instead.

Does that make sense?

An alternative solution is to keep your 'Center' programmer, and have that continue to control - time - your hot water, and then you set the CH side of it to 'ON 24hrs'. All you'll then need to do is to replace your room stat in the hallway with a 'wired' programmable thermostat, of which there are many options (best chosen for ease of use). These many options also include at least a couple of 'Smart' models which can then use an App to control and change them remotely. App control is really worthwhile, but that's for you to decide. I understand that Nest and Hive - very possibly others - do 'wired' Smart Prog Stats.

Niv

ThisIsWeird said:

That's a Programmer - timer - you've linked to. What about the room thermostat itself? To get what you are after - different temps for different times of the day - you will need to replace both (sorry if that is stating the obvious).

You also have a hot cylinder? In which case you will need a two-channel controller to retain control over your Domestic Hot Water.

There are a couple of issues that make your setup a bit more complicated than most, and certainly not make it a straight swap. The first is that the back plate for your current programmer is not a common 'standard', and will need to be swapped for the one that'll come with new unit, and the second is that you'll also need to disable/by-pass your existing room stat in the hallway, and most likely use a wireless type instead.

Does that make sense?

An alternative solution is to keep your 'Center' programmer, and have that continue to control - time - your hot water, and then you set the CH side of it to 'ON 24hrs'. All you'll then need to do is to replace your room stat in the hallway with a 'wired' programmable thermostat, of which there are many options (best chosen for ease of use). These many options also include at least a couple of 'Smart' models which can then use an App to control and change them remotely. App control is really worthwhile, but that's for you to decide. I understand that Nest and Hive - very possibly others - do 'wired' Smart Prog Stats.

My bolding,

Bold1 - yes I know, thats what someone asked me to link. The room stat is a standard/old fashioned wired room stat with a dial.

Bold 2 -  that is exactly what I want to do (which is what I said in post 1 ). I have the heating on constant anyway, but we set it around 18 during the day and a bit lower at night, so basically I want to do that morning night temperature change automatically so i don't have to fiddle with the room stat every day. Its literally just a thermostat auto temp change I am looking for. nothing more. I do not care if its wired or wireless (I presume a wireless one will have a 'base unit' to be wired to the controller anyway e.g. via the existing thermostat wiring). I also don't care if it has an app. I am more than capable of using smart tech, its not not important to me for this as it will literally be set and left.

Niv

Just noticed another recent thread that may be what I need:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6410394/smart-thermostat-set-up#latest

Suggests a nest E will do what I want. So, assuming that does do the job, I guess the next question is 'Does anyone have any other suggested brands/models apart from the nest E?' 

Cheers!

chrisw

As you only have 2 wires to the thermostat, you need to make sure it's a battery powered one.

If you're not bothered about wireless, they are all much of a muchness tbh, I bought a Danfoss TP One-B (B for battery) off eBay for less than a tenner brand new. 

ThisIsWeird

Do we know that there's only two wires going to the current wall thermostat? That would be unusual on an older system, where the 'third' wire - a neutral - would be required to make these sluggish devices work with any accuracy.

Regardless, if you are looking for the simplest replacement, then any quality 'wired' Prog Stat should do. Check out, say, Screwfix and similar to see what they have:

(Edit - I am not allowed to post links.) Honeywell Home T4, Danfoos TPOne-B, etc.

These examples - and I know nothing else about them - would be a direct fit on the wall, so the wires would likely need swapping over.

Then there's the Hive SLT5 - again a direct fit - and the Nest E, which would have the receiver fitted on the wall, and the controller sat wherever it is wanted.

If you have a three-wire room stat, then any wireless system can be fitted, with the receiver going on the wall in the place of the old 'stat, and the controller mounted elsewhere - even beside it - or moved around (might be a useful thing?)

ThisIsWeird

chrisw said:

As you only have 2 wires to the thermostat, you need to make sure it's a battery powered one.

If you're not bothered about wireless, they are all much of a muchness tbh, I bought a Danfoss TP One-B (B for battery) off eBay for less than a tenner brand new. 

These are cheap on eBay! Plenty of mains versions, too, from around £15 for effectively 'as new'.

What are they like to use, Chris?

If Niv checks their current thermostat's wiring and finds it's three-wire, then I'd go for a 'mains' version, but it doesn't make much difference.