Dodgy room thermostat

mexican_dave

Yes, just treat any room thermostat as a switch to operate the central heating in response to the temperature you set. But it can only do so if the programmer is set for CH "ON" at the time. If you buy a room thermostat that's compatible with the existing wiring, then the job will be easier and cheaper. It's not that complicated unless you start messing with the wires at the back of the programmer, hence you need an electrician, who can advise on pros and cons of different approaches.

mexican_dave

Sorry, didn't mean to imply this is a DIY job! Yes, if you are not a good DIYer do not touch electrics.

Auti

@mexican_dave - don‘t worry I can do a lot of diy things but know my limitations and I have a very healthy respect for electrics, gas and water! I am the person who enjoys flatpack and constructing things (made wooden games for child etc) also wallpaper stripping lol. 

Auti

Just an update - I got an electrician in who had knowledge of wiring and boilers and outcome is I am the owner of an opentherm EHP CP4. I know that people say on here about having opentherm and, as my boiler is old (Ideal Icos put in 2006) and the next big expense on the list, to have something compatible with lots of systems is what I wanted.  I am pleased it has opentherm.

I am also very happy that it behaves exactly how I want it to so that I can set different temps at different times of the day and then leave it to do its thing - was/is very important to me.

I am one happy person and installation was far beyond anything I could have done electrical wise. Well worth the cost  

thank you to all who advised me