Today, for any person, the issues of energy saving are topical. Especially against the background of the fact that energy prices have a constant upward trend. Heating in the house is one of the most important components, especially in the cold season. And, of course, no one wants to overpay money for this resource. In such a situation, room thermostats come to the rescue. This is a device that is designed to maintain and regulate the temperature in the room, thereby creating comfortable living conditions. In addition to the fact that this gadget can help you reduce heating costs, it will also make it more convenient to manage it. After all, you usually have to independently regulate the temperature in the house directly from the heating source itself. Doing this procedure can be time-consuming. And with the help of a thermostat, this process can be made remote or even fully automatic. The choice of such devices is very extensive: they can be cheap and expensive, simple and programmable, and even wireless or wired. And if you are thinking about buying a room thermostat, this article will help you choose the most suitable option for you, as well as tell you how to set it up.
The principle of operation of the thermostat:
The thermostat simplifies the regulation of your heating system. Instead of manual adjustment, which must be done every time the temperature deviates from the values you set, you can set the necessary parameters for the thermostat and it will maintain them on its own. The system of this device has a special sensor that monitors the temperature in the room and gives commands to the heating system. The air in the room cools more slowly than water or gas in the heating system. And if you, for example, set the parameter to 20 degrees, then the thermostat will support it in the house, and not in the boiler. This is the right approach that saves you money. Because while the temperature in the apartment will be the rate you set, in the heating system itself it can drop by some value until the boiler is working. Due to this period, your money will be saved. Therefore, with the help of a thermostat, temperature control occurs by maintaining the temperature of the air masses, and not the coolant itself, which is much more efficient and rational.
Thermostat selection:
There are many options for this device. Room regulators differ in the type of devices, type of installation, and functionality.
- According to the type of device, thermostats can be divided into:
– Mechanical
– Electromechanical
– Electrical
Here your choice will largely depend on your budget. The cheapest option would be a mechanical thermostat. Excellent models can be found among devices of the LUX brand. It does not contain any electronic elements. And the principle of operation is to change the properties of materials under the influence of temperature. Wax with copper powder can serve as such a material. When heated, this mixture melts and expands, and the expansion is used to open and close the valve. This design is simple and durable. But there are also disadvantages. For example, less accurate than their counterparts, the measurement of indicators, less functionality, and the presence of small clicks that appear when voltage is applied to the heaters.
The electromechanical thermostat uses a relay as its main component. This is the middle option between mechanical and electrical appliances.
The electric thermostat has a more complex structure than its competitors. It has great functionality, and greater accuracy of measurements and adjustments compared to mechanical and electromechanical thermostats. It can also be used in the smart home system. But it should be understood that such a device will be more expensive when buying and repairing.
Therefore, before purchasing, you will need to understand what your budget is. If you have the opportunity to buy an electric thermostat, it is better to purchase it. However, mechanical and electromechanical options in most cases will perform their function just as well, but they have certain disadvantages listed above. Also, if the thermostat is installed in a room where people are constantly present, an electronic device is best suited for maximum comfort. And if you want to put the device where there will be almost no people, for example, in a workshop, then a mechanical thermostat is enough for you.
According to the connection method, thermostats can be divided into:
– Wireless
– Wired
A wireless thermostat will be more convenient due to the fact that you do not need to lay wires. It works with the help of short intermittent signals that come from the controller. So, if you want to install your device as simple as possible, then this option is definitely right for you. But it will also cost more than its wired counterpart. So you have to be guided by your budget. If you do not have the funds for a wireless thermostat, then calmly choose its competitor, which for the most part will be no worse in quality of work. However, it will take more effort to install it. It is also necessary to take into account that in a large room there may be difficulties with a device without wires since the signal power will decrease due to walls and other structures. Therefore, the regulator will need to be installed as close as possible to the heating source. In larger spaces, a wired thermostat may be better suited, as the presence of wires will carry the signal farther, allowing the appliance to be used more efficiently. Variants of such gadgets can be found among the models of the Viсonics brand.
By functional features, thermostats are divided into:
– Simple
– Programmable
Simple thermostats have less functionality than their competitors, but they are also cheaper. And the most important function, that is, maintaining the temperature in the house, they will perform as it should. Programmable devices, such as Braeburn thermostats, are expensive, but also boast a large number of settings and adjustments. Such devices can have a very convenient function that allows you to program the operating mode. That is, during the day you can set one temperature, and in the evening another. You can also program the device for several days ahead and set a separate temperature for each day. There are programmable thermostats that allow you to control other equipment, such as a solar collector or underfloor heating. When choosing a thermostat, be sure to pay attention to its functional features. This is one of the most important parameters, especially if you need to save money on your heating bills. After all, a programmable thermostat, although it is quite expensive, will help reduce energy costs due to the fact that it can be configured in the way that suits you.
Installing and configuring the thermostat:
If you have bought a room thermostat and you need to install it, then it is best to do it in rooms where there are most people or where the temperature is the lowest. Do not install the device near electrical appliances, as they may cause interference. It is better not to place it near the battery or in a draft.
After installation and connection, the gadget will need to be configured. This can be done using the keys on the device, or the touch screen, if available. All thermostats have a program that sets the on and off interval. If this interval suits you, then you will only need to adjust the temperature. If something does not suit you, then there is an opportunity to adjust the interval itself. In a programmable thermostat, there is an option to immediately customize the rest of the functions. For example, separately the temperature during the day and at night set the temperature indicators for several days in advance, as well as the temperature fluctuation mode and the parameters for cooling and heating the air. Or you can choose one of the programs with certain settings that are pre-installed in the thermostat.
Now that you understand how thermostats differ and how to set them up, it will be easier for you to navigate the huge selection of devices on offer. The main thing is to determine in advance the criteria you need and choose a budget. Choosing the right thermostat will save you money, effort, and time.
