Has anyone here fitted their own smart CH thermostats?
I'm a relative numpty in this field, is it just a case of swapping over the existing ones to clever smart ones? Do all the wires go in teh same place?
My house has 2 zone CH with a 'traditional' boiler (i.e. not a combi) set up. Currently I have the two timer/thermostats which came with the house, exactly like these. Most of the radiators also have TRVs.
I'm guessing if you fit something like this (not necessarily this exact one, just an example) the receiver interfaces with the wiring in exactly the same way? It's just the timer/controller which is "smart"?
Yep. I received a bollocking from the boss a few weeks back because of this approach to getting things done, she relented though when I booked a decorator to do the H,S&L she's been moaning at me to decorate
v8-powered wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 11:51 am
I looked at it (Google Nest) but was pretty cheap to get an installer in to do it with a warranty, so took that route.
To be fair the Nest is pretty easy to install - instructions are pretty good and as long as you are happy reusing the wiring to your existing room stat to power the Nest display, you'll be fine.
I bought a hive thermostat kit a few years ago and fitted it myself. The online instructions were pretty self-explanatory but if you have no practical ability then get someone in.
You get a receiver that replaces your traditional heat/water timed programmer. A thermostat that connects to that receiver wirelessly and allows you to program the system. In effect the thermostat and receiver does replace your current thermostat and programmer. You can't replace your current thermostat in isolation with a smart thermostat as they don't do the same things.
You also get a hub that connects the whole system to the internet for updates and it's supposed to do clever stuff like turn on the heating earlier if cold weather is expected so that you're at the required temperature at the time you want to be rather than starting to heat the house when you tell it to.
I've been looking at this as my thermostat is in a room with no radiators.
Some require you to change the controller which might need a plumber depending on your setup, others are just a thermostat replacement.
Tado replaces the controller
Nest replaces the thermostat fixed in the same position
Hive replaces the thermostat with a base station and has a wireless thermostat connected to it
I'm struggling to find out if Hive or Nest work with 240V twin wire setups, I suspect they don't but they don't want to tell you that so I'll probably need the Tado version.
My current stats already have a 'base station'. That's the 240V wired bit and it lives in the cupboard with the hot water tank, the house (2005) was built like that. The bit on the wall with the temperature showing, the time etc. runs on AA batteries and is just sticky padded to the wall.
I'm kinda hoping some of the smart hubs have exactly the same sort of base station wiring. After all, all the base station does (from the boiler, pump, valve etc. POV) is flick a couple of switches?
Actually you know what, I've thought of the best reason to get a man in.
They'll know which ones are shit IME most trades people are adept at choosing the most reliable hardware after they've been doing it for a while. Saves coming back all the time.
Mr. Dazzle wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 12:27 pm
Actually you know what, I've thought of the best reason to get a man in.
They'll know which ones are shit IME most trades people are adept at choosing the most reliable hardware after they've been doing it for a while. Saves coming back all the time.
You think?
They buy the cheapest. They charge for return trips.
Yes, I’ve recently installed a multi-zone hive system at home without fault or issue, but I did study Electrical and Electronic Engineering at university around 30 years ago. I mounted my receivers on a waterproof steel enclosure and relocated all of the wiring within the enclosure as the previous wiring centre was a mess with everything for a four zone system.
My takeaways are
A single zone combi - it is as simple as it can be, live, neutral, earth, switch feed (possibly) and switch return
A single zone with hot water tank - slightly increased complexity but essentially you will need to connect the output of the thermostat receiver to the input of the motorised valves
Any multi zone system (including one with a hot water tank) is an expansion of the above. With hive you need an additional single zone receiver and thermostat for each extra zone.
Mr. Dazzle wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 12:12 pm
My existing stats are battery powered
My plan is unravelling already!
Nest can run from a USB adapter too if you want a portable room stat, just reliant on WiFi to reach that and the master unit near you boiler. We have ours hard-wired though' just uses WiFi for the app functionality
I installed a Tado system, replaced the hot water / heating controller with a "smart" Tado replacement, replacement thermostat, had to do a small wiring change at the hot water tank/pump to get it to work. It was brilliant though, worked really well. It was a bit trial and error to get it all connected up, would probably recommend getting a man in to fit it as they won't charge a lot.
I've installed both Nest and Hive (not at the same property) and preferred the Nest, but both are fine.
I don't know if the new versions have changed but my Nest had a hub that was installed at the boiler and replaced the controller, and then the Nest display/thermostat that replaced the old thermostat. The Nest display could be placed anywhere so long as you can get USB power to it. Alternatively, there were connectors on the Nest hub to run power to the display using the existing cabling that went from the boiler/controller to the old thermostat location.
dern wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 12:15 pm
I bought a hive thermostat kit a few years ago and fitted it myself. The online instructions were pretty self-explanatory but if you have no practical ability then get someone in.
You get a receiver that replaces your traditional heat/water timed programmer. A thermostat that connects to that receiver wirelessly and allows you to program the system. In effect the thermostat and receiver does replace your current thermostat and programmer. You can't replace your current thermostat in isolation with a smart thermostat as they don't do the same things.
You also get a hub that connects the whole system to the internet for updates and it's supposed to do clever stuff like turn on the heating earlier if cold weather is expected so that you're at the required temperature at the time you want to be rather than starting to heat the house when you tell it to.
Silly Car wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 12:43 pm
Yes, I’ve recently installed a multi-zone hive system at home without fault or issue, but I did study Electrical and Electronic Engineering at university around 30 years ago. I mounted my receivers on a waterproof steel enclosure and relocated all of the wiring within the enclosure as the previous wiring centre was a mess with everything for a four zone system.
My takeaways are
A single zone combi - it is as simple as it can be, live, neutral, earth, switch feed (possibly) and switch return
A single zone with hot water tank - slightly increased complexity but essentially you will need to connect the output of the thermostat receiver to the input of the motorised valves
Any multi zone system (including one with a hot water tank) is an expansion of the above. With hive you need an additional single zone receiver and thermostat for each extra zone.
Yep exactly.
The Nest is a nice piece of kit, feels premium, requires a little more knowledge to fit.
The Hive set up is easier to fit for heating/hot water it uses a standard (ish) backplate so its easier to replace standard programmers. A second receiver would be needed for multizone heating systems though.
