Suitable "Smart Stat"

[Jasewarn]

Hi.
A question to all the Nest, Hive, Evohome, Tado owners.
I'm after a "smart roomstat" solution to control my gas CH. My situation is a typical one- at work 8 to 5 mon to fri and home at weekends whereas my mrs works 12 hour shifts ie 2xdays, 2nights, 4 off. And every month 4x 10am to 10pm shifts.
Are we likely to benefit from an occupancy system like Tado or Nest or should we be looking at Evohome, Hive etc?
Or would a programmable stat with multiple on off times be the answer?
Any advice much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[neilball]

Are you looking for a single zone replacement for your existing stat/timeclock or do you think you might want to improve the zoning in future? If zoning is a requirement then Evo Home is your only current solution as the other systems are pretty much single zone stats rather than multi-zone systems.

I'd have thought that a programmable system with simple overrides would be the most beneficial as you will not have a regular occupation pattern. For example Evo Home has upto 6 switching points per day, independently set (if required) for every day of the week. It also has some override modes (holiday, work at home, plus a custom override you can program yourself) that might be of use too that avoid needing to constantly re-program the time programs. Most other systems certainly have an occupied and holiday mode, not sure if they allow these other custom modes to be created though.

 

[Jasewarn]

So, would I be right in saying that the Evohome needs at least 1 wireless rad stat that will set the point at which the heating turns on and off and the main panel has no thermostat built in, just a glorified programmer?

 

[neilball]

So, would I be right in saying that the Evohome needs at least 1 wireless rad stat that will set the point at which the heating turns on and off and the main panel has no thermostat built in, just a glorified programmer?

No, the main unit had a built-in sensor, so with the boiler relay can be used as the equivalent of a smart programmable stat. You only need the additional devices if you choose the room-zoning approach.

 

[Jasewarn]

Ok so if I site the main unit in the lounge the boiler turns on and off through the main units temperature sensor?
Any rad stats fitted communicate wirelessly with the main unit?
What wiring is needed to the Evohome device?
So many questions, sorry.

 

[neilball]

Main unit has a desk stand and plugs into a regular 13A socket unless you want to connect it at the existing wall stat location, in which case their is a wall mount kit/transformer. Boiler relay needs to be wired in - either back at the boiler at the existing heating wiring centre or in place of the existing programmer. If the boiler is a combi it is probably easier to fit the relay and wire it directly at the boiler. Otherwise the previous two methods are fairly straight forward and need minor changes to the existing wiring arrangements. If you have a regular hot water cylinder there is a separate add on oack that includes a wireless sensor for the tank and another relay module to control the hot water valve (which in turn operates the boiler) should your want to have Evo control both heating and go hot water.

If you fit the radiator controllers there is no need for further wiring as they are fully wireless.

 

[Jasewarn]

Thanks for your in-depth description...very much appreciated.
I've not had the heating system installed yet but it will be a Combi boiler but still very undecided as to how I'll control it all.

 

[neilball]

A programmable stat with regular TRVs should be the minimum spec for controls although some plumbers may try and convince yo that all you need is TRVs. However this is costly advice as the boiler will be firing regardless of whether any rooms need heat as there is no feedback from dumb TRVs to let the boiler know when they are satisfied.

As you are fitting a combi boiler you could use any of the systems you initially enquirer about, there is little to differentiate between them other than user interface when used as a smart stat. You need to decide which of the other features may be worthwhile - Tado geofence to activate home/away mode (only useful of you all carry suitable phones to allow the function to work effectively), Nest auto programming (useful of you follow a set regular heating pattern), Evo zoning or override modes, or BG Hive (cheap and even free with a dual fuel contract).

 

[Jasewarn]

This is how the system will be layed out:

2 bed house (2 people)
Combi boiler in loft
Rad in Lounge (main living area)
Rad in Hall (enough to heat landing too)
Nothing in Kitchen or Landing (not big enough to heat)
Rad in Bed1
Rad in Bed 2 (spare rm, no bed)
Heated TR in Bathroom
Small Rad in AC

In your valued opinion what would you recommend bearing in mind one of us has no set occupancy pattern ie shift work as explained in first post. It seems the more I read on various set ups the more undecided i become.
Once again thanks for your input.

 

[Jasewarn]

So. I've a better idea of how I want to set up my heating using the Evohome method but not sure if I'm going overboard considering I'm only heating a 2 bed house. As stated previously I'll be having a Combi boiler fitted in the loft.
Proposed set up;

Zone 1; The main controller sited in the HALL set up as a ROOM STAT controlling radiators in HALL, BED2, BATHROOM TR, and AIRING CUPBOARD. (mechanical TRV's fitted where appropriate). Set to heat for an hour in the morning and approx. 5 hours at night

Zone 2; HR92 Radiator Controller fitted to LOUNGE radiator. (main living area). Same as Zone1 but with option to override heating to lounge during the day if SWMBO on day off from shiftworking.

Zone 3; HR92 Radiator Controller fitted to BED1 radiator. Set to heat for an hour in the morning and maybe 2 hours in the evening.

I might in the future fit another HR92 Rad controller to the HALL if practical but not sure if it's a good idea to on the BATHROOM TR due to condensation/no opening window.
I'd be very interested to know peoples opinions on this set up and whether you think this will work or not.
Thanks in advance.
Jase