The situation in the heating market is still tense. This is related to the difficult geopolitical realities (war, inflation) and to the energy crisis. The scale of the crisis is changing, but fuel prices are high and their availability is unstable. People are saving on everything they can. This is not good for investments, renovations, or building modernization.
Despite the high cost of living, we need to heat our homes. The question remains with what. Today we'll look at recent trends and see what heating devices we most often choose.
The beginning of 2022 saw a real increase in the purchase of heat pumps. It had already started in 2021, but the first three quarters of 2022 were record-breaking in this regard. In Poland then, sales of these heat sources increased by 120% compared to the previous year. It is estimated that every third device purchased for space heating was a heat pump.
This is because the heat pump beats traditional heating equipment in terms of convenience and operating costs. You don't have to regularly pay for fuel for it, because it refills the fuel itself - drawing from nature (RES). It is ecological and you can get subsidies for it - so it is widely available and affordable (subsidized).
Importantly - although you sometimes hear otherwise - high-quality heat pumps do not require additional heating equipment at all. They manage to heat the building by themselves. In addition, they are almost maintenance-free. They provide heat in the interiors and DHW without our participation.
Using this heat source, we do not participate in the emission of toxic greenhouse gases. We don't need chimneys, which we can take into account already at the stage of designing the house - we save money on this as well.
Investors often choose to combine heat pumps with photovoltaics, so the cost of the pump itself and the rest of the home electronics that run on electricity disappears - because it is produced by a PV-equipped household. In such a situation, we are not talking about savings for the piggy bank, but about really big money that stays in our pockets.
Although sales of heat pumps are expected to keep growing, there are worrying signs that could slow down this process. To a more or lesser extent.
Conventional gas boilers are already a rare choice. Their share of total gas boiler sales is only about 5%. Meanwhile, condensing boilers - the first choice for gas heating until recently - have scored a marked drop in popularity by about 20, 30%, depending on the type (wall-mounted, floor-standing). This was influenced by the unstable situation in the gas market, triggered by the war in Ukraine.
In recent months, however, we have not experienced the shortage of gas supply that the market had feared. This raw material, although becoming more expensive, is available. Its price has increased, but there is no surprise here, as this phenomenon affects the entire energy resources sector. In addition to the widespread use of RES, higher heating charges are impossible to avoid at the moment.
Therefore, consumer interest in gas boilers should return. If someone is planning to eliminate old coal and wood stoves, but for various reasons will not be interested in RES, they will most likely turn to condensing gas boilers - as has been the case so far.
Many households are still using older or newer solid-fuel boilers (including wood pellets, eco-pea), but this is no longer the direction of the future, and certainly owners of new developments are not taking it (opting rather for RES). Undoubtedly, this is influenced by the severe price increases of solid fuels.
However, let's remember that modern solid fuel boilers are much more environmentally friendly. All boilers of this type must meet ecological requirements for emissions into the atmosphere. This also means easier operation and lower failure rate - greater comfort of use.
Electric boilers are increasingly popular because they are relatively easy to install and use, and with additional PV installation - extremely cost-effective, because their own power generation minimizes heating fuel costs to zero. They work great in passive buildings, but also in modern houses with energy-efficient technical parameters and exemplary thermal modernization. Such buildings do not have a gigantic demand for heat.
These are heating devices that do not emit pollutants. They are an interesting alternative to other central heating boilers. In 2023 it is not yet at the top of our choices, but this type of heating is beginning to be appreciated - also as an additional heat source or in hybrid installations.
As in the case of heat pumps, this is a completely ecological and energy-saving solution - and therefore future-proof. The collectors make it possible to obtain the heat needed for DHW without polluting the environment, and also support central heating.
In our geographical conditions, it is risky to rely on the heat generated only by solar panels. Especially if we do not have the possibility to store it for a longer period of time. Thus, collectors are rarely chosen as the main heat source, heating the entire building. However, this is a proposition increasingly appreciated by consumers.
It is difficult to predict what will change in this topic over the next few months. It can be assumed that - for greater security and lower fees - heating will go the way of various installation hybrids. This will make it possible to choose the heating medium according to its current price. Certainly, the glory of RES will continue to grow. As a result of this, we can assume a further increase in sales of solar collectors, which support the main heating system at a low cost and provide energy for free DHW generation. Collectors successfully work with electric boilers, gas boilers, and, of course, with heat pumps. They are universal and quite cheap. As we mentioned at the beginning, people are looking for savings wherever they can. Finding them in the heating sector is a must if we think about real reductions in household operating costs.
;;https://salus-controls.eu//wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1920x520_BLOG-_1-Jakie-urzadzenia-grzewcze-najczesciej-wybieramy2.png|_|See which OneTouch rules will work for your smart home - we've added many new examples!;;https://salus-controls.eu/2023/03/15/examples-of-onetouch-rules/;;Examples of OneTouch rules;;You know why you control your heating. Regardless of the weather, you want to feel comfortable at home and at work - it can be neither too warm nor too cold. Automated control maintain the temperature you expect (set) in each room (zone). Custom schedules for each type of installation, created in the web application, take care of the best heating operation. It's energy efficient. However, what else does a smart home provide? How will a complex home control system improve your daily comfort? How will it help you save on electricity or water bills?
Learn new examples of OneTouch rules and dependencies between devices working in a common home network - controlled online. What operating scenarios will you create for: heating, lighting, better functionality and building security?
Do you leave for work at different times? Write down a rule that will switch all room thermostats to economy mode (i.e. lower heating fuel consumption) with the push of a button.
Install the button (OneTouch rule activator - CSB600) at the front door. Click it on your way out. With a quick movement you will save heating energy and money.
At any time - for example, an hour before you return home - you turn off the rule in the web application. What does a smart home give you in this situation? You save money without sacrifice.
Remember that by lowering the room temperature by as little as 1°C, you save about 6% on energy costs - on the scale of the entire heating season. It pays off.
Returning to a dark, cold house will spoil the best mood. Make your returns comfortable. All you need to do is create a rule that " brings the interior to life" when you deactivate the entry alarm.
Moments after it is turned off, selected lights will light up, taming the darkness, and the heating will go into comfort mode, giving you perfect warmth. You will use not only temperature thermostats for this, but also networked smart relays or smart plugs.
Fresh air is priceless? Generally yes, but...
Did you forget to stop the heating system for ventilation? Before you are reminded by high bills, set a rule that turns off the heating of the room when the window is opened. An opening sensor linked to the room thermostat will help you do this. You don't have to worry about paying for reheating the backyard.
Do you bathe a small child at the same time every day? Make sure the bathroom is ready - waiting with a warm floor and cozy lighting. Make a rule so that for a selected hour the temperature in it will rise, the floor will heat up, the led lights by the mirror will turn on. You will use thermostats for underfloor heating and smart plug for this.
Do you rent holiday homes in the winter? Take care of your guests' comfort, but also manage your energy consumption economically.
Create two related rules: for comfort temperature and economy temperature. Then activate one of them using your smartphone (web app) even hundreds of kilometers away from the rental property. You will also do this for radiator heating (smart TRV head), as well as for underfloor heating (wiring centres, actuators).
Before your guests arrive, you will remotely start the comfort mode. After they leave, you will remotely put the facility into heating fuel-saving mode.
Win-win. Guests will be welcomed with warmth, you will cut costs.
Knowing what a smart home gives when it comes to heating control, let's see its advantages when it comes to lighting control.
In the evening, lights around the house make you feel more secure and much safer. They make it easier to move around the garden. An illuminated home is a well-maintained home. That's why take advantage of smart relay and create a rule that turns on outdoor lighting at sunset and turns off after sunrise. You can also do this at selected times or depending on the operation of other devices, such as when the system opens the entrance gate.
Do you work remotely and want to maintain a balance between work duties and rest? SALUS Smart Home will easily take care of your home lighting to help you establish a balance. When your work time is up, the desk lamp will turn off (SR600). The blinds will close (RS600) and spot lights by the couch will light up (SR600).
Thanks to OneTouch's set rules, you don't have to remember about them every day. A good example of this is linking the operation of the blinds to the operation of the lighting, which will turn on automatically when the blinds go down. When the windows go dark (RS600), the room will brighten up (SPE600).
Do you happen to go to bed and wonder which rooms you left with the lights on? Each unnecessarily lit lamp increases your electricity charges.
With the SALUS Smart Home system, you will create a rule that will turn off the lights throughout the building (SR600 x number of lamps). You'll activate it by pressing just one button (CSB600). Place it next to your bed and sleep peacefully. You will also activate the rule in the web application.
Do you forget to turn off the light when you leave the kitchen? Annoyed that you have no way to do it while leaving with plates in both hands? Create a rule to turn off the lights, for example, 5 minutes after the movement in the kitchen stops (SR600 + MS600).
Evening housekeeping is an intense time as you clean up the house and prepare it for the next day. Walking from room to room after dark, you don't have to turn the lights on and off every time.
By creating appropriate rules, when you enter a room, the lamp will automatically turn on and off, for example, a few minutes after the movement stops (MS600 + SR600).
Home lighting will always keep up with you. It is a convenience and modern economy that gives you savings. You just need to remember to determine the time of activation of this rule.
Don't like darkness? When getting out of bed at night, do you want to cross the hallway safely? Program a rule that, detecting your presence after dark (MS600), will activate the lighting (SR600). If you have a pet at home, don't be afraid of accidental activations. The sensor does not detect the movement of pets up to 36 kg.
Here, too, you must remember to specify the hours of the rule.
If you don't want to be tripping over your bathroom furniture, write down a rule that activates the lighting when you open the toilet door - set the hours for it. The idea will also work when entering the workshop, basement, garage - in all rooms where you fear darkness.
Assisting light in the kitchen is a convenience and time-saver. Especially if it follows your movements. Create a rule so that the led lights above the cutting board turn on when you start working on it and off when you're done preparing a meal (MS600+ SPE600).
Also, take advantage of the subtle light of the hood light to make any entrance to the kitchen safe and pleasant. The gentle glow from under the hood will brighten up the room.
When you think about what a smart home or automation in general provides, you certainly don't see all the possibilities available to you. Facilitation are waiting at almost every step.
Does your child fall asleep with the light on? Do you have to wait until late every night to turn it off? Create a rule to turn off your child's light at a certain time, or assign this rule to a single button and place it next to your bed (SB600). You can turn off the light in your toddler's room at any time with a single press.
Do you like to read late and your partner/partner falls asleep earlier without turning off the light on their side of the bed? Program rules to turn off your bedside lamps and assign them to the OneTouch dual rule activator - the top button will turn off your lamp and the bottom button will turn off your partner's/partner's lamp.
When you finish reading, turn off the bedroom light - without getting up and without disturbing the other person's sleep. To easily operate the lighting on both sides of the bed, install two rule activators - one on each nightstand (SB600 x 2).
Do you enjoy spending evenings with family or friends? Do you relax while watching TV? Smart home will take care of convenient operation of your private relaxation zone.
Create a rule to activate intimate room lighting and activate it with one button (light dimmer + SB600). In a few seconds, the blinds will drop (RS600) and the living room will be covered with a cozy mood.
To ensure that your home does not entice potential thieves with darkness while you are away for several days, create rules to turn on, reduce and turn off lights.
At designated times in the garden and in selected rooms of the house, the lamps will dim, brighten, turn on and off, posing the presence of householders.
Add to this a customized plan for closing and opening blinds. Everything will create the perfect semblance - as if you were there!
You run the rule remotely from the app. You can adjust all settings via your smartphone - wherever you are.
Activate a schedule that will turn on and off the lights on your Christmas tree at designated times. You can also do it remotely - using our web app and your smartphone.
Don't worry that Christmas decorations will ruin your New Year's budget. Write down a rule so that your home's surroundings will be charmingly lit only after sunset and until a selected time (e.g., 11 p.m.) - when you can admire them. You'll build a family atmosphere while saving energy and money if the light decorations are kept off all night.
If you want to find out how much electricity your home's appliances are using, hook them up to a plug that records electricity consumption. Check the consumption on the clear graphs available in the web app. Use the collected data to optimize the operation of your home appliances. Now you know what to keep an eye on.
When you finally melt into your favorite armchair after a busy day, you don't want to get up from it without having to do it. With a smart home system, it will only take you a moment to prepare your living room for an evening of relaxation.
With the OneTouch rule activator (SB600) or your smartphone, with a single press you can close the blinds in the TV room (RS600) and create the atmosphere of a home movie theatre.
If you like to get up with the sun, set the operation of the bedroom blinds so that they open at sunrise and close at sunset. To make waking up even more pleasant, create a rule that opens the blind first at 30%, after a few minutes at 50%, and finally at 100% (RS600). The gradual welcoming of the sun in the morning will help you start even the hardest day nicely.
A weekend in the mountains is one of the pleasures we like to give ourselves spontaneously. To make it more convenient, create a scenario that prepares the mountain house for your arrival even before you set off. Just prepare the rules that run the comfort temperature and prepare relaxing lighting. You'll turn them on even before your trip.
Who doesn't love spending warm evenings with family or friends in the backyard by the illuminated pool? Find out what a smart home can offer. Create a scenario that transforms a dark backyard into an atmospheric setting in a split second - perfect for capturing the charm of summer.
When you press the button (SB600), the soft spot lights by the pool will come on, the façade lights (SR600) will light up, and the lawn will be illuminated. A second press of the button will reverse the rule, allowing you to end the evening quickly and comfortably.
When you want to save on electricity and water consumption in sanitary rooms, you can activate efficient OneTouch rules:
Based on the SALUS smart Home system, you will use a motion sensor and smart relays for this. Remember that small daily savings will allow you to live ecologically and economically. You save without sacrificing comfort.
Overly humid rooms are not good to spend time in and cause the growth of harmful mold. Create a rule so that the temperature thermostat immediately detects too much humidity (Quantum) and the system automatically starts ventilation (SR600).
If the thermostat indicates too little moisture in the air, the system will automatically activate the humidifier.
It is worthwhile to ensure the best air quality in your home. This will reduce the risk of respiratory diseases in you and your children.
Conveniently open all entrance gates with one button (CSB600).
Install the button in a handy location, such as in the garage. Set a rule that closes the gates after a certain time (SR600). You can also open the entrance gate from your smartphone app, having a rule set to close it after, 2 minutes for example.
You are assured that you won't forget to close the entrance.
It's so easy to make things easier for yourself!
With the SALUS Smart Home system you will remotely let a trusted person come into your garage, even though no one is home! You'll do it with your smartphone using a web app and an on-site smart relay.
The courier no longer has to leave the package at your neighbor's house or, even worse, on a wet doormat. He can do it in your garage. A child who forgot his key doesn't have to wait at a friend's house for your return. You let them in through the garage door wherever you are - shopping or at a business meeting.
Smart home gives not only comfort, but also security. The cost of building a house or renovating an apartment is huge.
Set rules that will alert you to a fire (SD600) or water leak (WLS600). You'll receive an SMS immediately if there's an emergency in your home: smoke appears or your washing machine breaks down. This will help you react as quickly as possible and minimize the damage.
If you have a house in the mountains or by the sea, control its heating system when it is standing empty. Similarly, if you own more than one apartment. After all, you can't be everywhere at once.
Setting an economic or antifreeze temperature is ideal to keep your heating from freezing. However, if there is damage to the heat source, no mode will do the job. The temperature will drop to low values. And this threatens the cost of repairing or replacing the entire installation.
Protect your building's heating system and set up a rule to send a notification of a dangerous temperature drop (SMS or e-mail). Breakdowns happen everywhere - to everyone. Don't be unpleasantly surprised.
Sometimes a simple malfunction causes an avalanche of expenses. How to prevent it?
OneTouch rules can work with the plumbing system in your smart home. When the system detects flooding in the monitored area (WLS600), it will cut off the water supply at the place where the fault occurred (SR600).
You will immediately receive a text message about the incident. You will avoid floor replacement and costly renovation.
SALUS Smart Home will enhance the security of your home in many ways. In creating security only sky is the limit.
The simplest way to protect your home or apartment from burglary is to install an opening sensor at the entrance (SW600) and set a rule that sends an SMS when someone opens the door in your absence. You will be able to call a neighbor or the police.
But if at the same moment, detecting motion (MS600), the lights in the rooms come on and the blinds open or close, the thief will feel caught in the act. There's a good chance he'll give up the theft.
Even in a secure, modern home, some unpredicted things happen. If you're worried that your child might open a medicine or detergent cabinet, mount an opening sensor (SW600) next to it and set a rule that sends an SMS notification when the door is opened. The same way you can secure important documents or personal records.
Are you always in a hurry? Can't remember if you turned off the iron after ironing your clothes in the morning? Or maybe you remembered that you definitely didn't turn it off? Plug your device into our smart plug. In the office, in the car, in the cafe - anywhere you can check if the iron is not drawing power and turn it off with one click if necessary.
In the app, you can also set a rule to turn off the iron after 30 minutes from startup. You will save money and avoid the risk of fire.
People who are disabled or sick will feel safer being able to quickly call for help if they are unwell. In worse health, they don't always have the strength to call or write a message.
The rule activator will serve as an emergency safety button. All you have to do is assign a rule to it, sending a predetermined message to a loved one, such as "Come, I'm feeling bad" or "Call an ambulance".
One click and help will arrive on time.
SALUS Smart Home will easily take care of the safety of any construction site. You will receive SMS notification of unwanted events. What does the smart home give you if you arrange the right rules?
The app will also open the garage or warehouse door for the construction crew (remote home opening - SR600).
Are you taking care of a house far away from your permanent residence?
SALUS Smart Home system allows you to remotely control heating and monitor a building where temporarily no one lives. From anywhere in the world you can control the temperature in such a building (e.g. VS10BRF thermostat + TRV head/ KL08RF wiring centre + T30NC actuator). If someone comes inside, you will receive a notification (SW600 sensor).
The comfort provided by automation is not only daily conveniences, but also peace of mind. A web application allows you to quickly scan a building equipped with SALUS Smart Home series products.
This function allows you to check each room and the devices in it. It is an priceless help when you want to make sure you leave your home safe before you get out - windows closed, lights and electrical equipment turned off.
Your peace of mind is priceless.
Now that we know what smart home brings to everyday life, let's take a look at another useful feature of the system - STATUSES.
What are statuses? They are nothing more than sets of rules for: heating, lighting and also other smart home elements. The statuses trigger scenarios that fit specific circumstances (winter, summer, trip, party, etc.).
Winter routine is different from summer routine - so create your own rules package for status: WINTER. Here are examples.
You're heating the house and want the rooms to be the perfect temperature: comfortable when you're in them and economical when you're not (schedules). It's getting dark early. As you drive onto the property in the afternoon, you need a well-lit facade and garage (after-dark rules). You want the light to keep up with you, turning on (e.g., from 4 p.m.) in the rooms you enter and turning off when you leave them.
Summer routine is hugely different from winter - create a rule package for status: SUMMER.
With summer temperatures, you don't heat the house, temperature thermostat go into a "sleep" state for several months. It's brighter outside for longer, and it gets darker later, so you need façade and interior lighting on at later hours. At other times you open and close the blinds. You use led lights by the garden pool, for which you can also set a daily work schedule.
Home parties are governed by their own rules. Your party rhythm is different from the daily rhythm, so you can create a separate working scenario for it, e.g. heating, lighting.
Just the way you like it.
The temperature in the living room will be higher than usual at night, because, after all, you are not sleeping - you are partying. The light will remain atmospherically dimmed, but the blinds will be uncovered - unlike on regular evenings - to keep an eye on the backyard, guests' cars and to see the outdoor lighting. In the heat of the game, it's a good idea to know when a child sleeping in his room will wake up and go out into the hallway. You will receive a text message notification about it.
Leaving for an extended period of time, you will prepare your home for your absence with one click on your smartphone - status for the situation: EXIT.
The temperature will go into economy mode. After dark, a rule will be activated to simulate the presence of household members (lights and blinds). You will receive a notification when someone opens a door in your house or a window in the garage.
From today's text, it is clear what a smart home gives to anyone who decides to transform their home space into a space of intelligent, logical scenarios. We have shown many examples of the use of OneTouch rules, as well as dependencies and hardware connections. It's up to you to decide which ones will work best in your home. Remember, on the other hand, that for creating your home control system you need to have the UGE600 universal Internet gateway and the SALUS Smart Home application.
;;https://salus-controls.eu//wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Obszar-kompozycji-1.png|_|Choose your language and start learning.;;https://salus-controls.eu/2023/02/16/learn-to-install-our-products/;;Discover how to install our products!;;;;|_|We were honoured with the CONSUMER QUALITY LEADER 2022 Gold Emblem in the category ''Heating control system''.;;https://salus-controls.eu/2023/02/07/consumer-quality-leader-2022-for-salus-controls/;;Consumer Quality Leader 2022 for SALUS Controls;;Based on the survey report, we know that the SALUS Controls customers associate our brand with:
Winning the Golden Emblem in its category is the best possible award. It is an expression of the trust that people have to the brand. Thank you very much for this!
Such appreciation is an honour for us, great satisfaction and motivation for further action.
Temperature thermostats - even the most modern ones - are generally not difficult to use. Functionality and user-friendly menus are the first condition to make them useful. Accurate temperature control is the second, but today we will focus on the problems we may encounter in the implementation and subsequent use of these devices. Why the temperature thermostat doesn't work?
It sometimes happens that temperature thermostats stop working or, if we are at the installation stage, do not start working. To save time and nerves, it is worth looking at the reasons that may have disturbed their operation before starting the complaints procedure. Some problems require service repair, but with most we can deal ourselves.
If the thermostat has been working properly for some time and suddenly stops, the first thing to do is to replace the batteries and check whether the problem still appears. This is because it can happen even though there is no indication that they need to be replaced, the power supply becomes weaker and the device starts playing tricks on the user.
In the case of SALUS Controls temperature thermostats, a set of batteries is enough for about two heating seasons. However, if you notice any errors earlier; unplanned start-ups of the heat source, inaccuracy of the schedule, start with the batteries.
REMEMBER: Before sending the thermostat for service, make sure it has working batteries. Partially discharged batteries can weaken the signal.
The problem can appear when wired thermostat are installed.
It is always a good idea to follow the recommendations given in the wiring diagrams. It is not just a matter of routing the cables correctly, but also of their choice. The use of unsuitable cables will make it impossible to use all the functions of the device.
For example, if we are connecting SALUS Controls thermostats from the Expert series, it is recommended to use 4 x 0.75 mm² or 4 x 1 mm² cable. We will then use all the functions of the thermostats. If we use a three-core cable, we will not have access to the night temperature reduction function (NSB; Night Set Back).
It is also worth remembering that the wiring insulation should be suitable for a 230 V system.
What is important, "twisted-pair" Internet cable, despite the required number of wires, is not a good choice for a 230 V system because of the cross-section of the wires and the class of insulation. However, if the installer installed such wires we can choose a 24 V system.
The problem may appear when installing older type of wireless thermostat.
If the transmitter does not communicate with the receiver, make sure that the communication code of the transmitter and the receiver is set correctly. If the receiver controls the boiler not according to the transmitter's indication, you need to change the communication code to a different one than factory.
To avoid this mistake, it is worth getting newer controllers. For example, the bestselling thermostat for boilers and other heat sources by SALUS Controls - 091FLRFV2 - does not require manual setting of codes. It contains as many as 64,000 combinations, so that a situation in which our thermostat is "activated" by an unauthorized device is practically impossible.
And even if - by extreme bad luck - this will happen, all you have to do is re-pair the transmitter with the receiver (for your convenience, the outputs are factory paired).
This problem can appear with a system that works wirelessly in a home network. It happens that the temperature thermostat stopped heating the room properly because it lost communication with the wiring centre or with the TRV head. At that point, it is useful to re-pair devices and even reinstall your control automation. It has been known for a long time that a reset allows electronics to take a "new breath."
When 091FLRFV2 loses connectivity, we also re-pair the thermostat.
Most SALUS Controls thermostats are equipped with COM/NO (normally opened) contacts for connecting the boiler, which turns on the heating by shorting circuit contact. However, if the automation of our boiler turns on the heating by opening them, a thermostats with COM/NC (normally closed) contacts will be required.
In the 091FLV2 and 091FLRFV2 thermostats, you can change the relay type programmatically and everything will work as it should. So, in order to avoid complications, let's look for controllers that are as universal as possible.
We often do not pay attention to where we mount the control device. We follow either interior design, decorations or... random choice. Meanwhile, the room thermostat should be installed in the right place - non-sunny, far from drafts, fans, radiators, fireplace, stove, or even a lamp. It is good to hang/set it at a height of about 150 cm.
This is important because a bad location can cause the temperature sensor built into the unit to false readings, causing the room to be underheated (most often). If the temperature on the thermostat is falsely high, the boiler will not turn on, and the room will be cooled. So when choosing a place for the controller, it is worth taking into account not only convenience. Avoid places that expose the thermostat to large thermal fluctuations. If we forget about this, we are very likely to consider that the temperature thermostat is not working properly.
In the case of wireless thermostats, undisturbed communication between the transmitter and the receiver is also extremely important. It is necessary to take into account not only the distance between the devices, but also possible architectural obstacles (such as walls) that may cause the signal not to reach the receiver.
Although programming the schedule should not be complicated, mistakes can happen. If our temperature thermostat doesn't work properly - it doesn't send the heating demand, even though according to our expectations it should, the reason could be, for example, setting the night temperature reduction at the wrong time period.
The choice of the wrong control algorithm for our type of heating system, such as hysteresis for underfloor heating, can also be a problem. Hysteresis operation is based on slight overdrives, so it does not guarantee precision. Underfloor heating, on the other hand, has a long response time, high thermal inertia, so the heating effect may not be satisfying.
Before we consider that the controller starts at the wrong time or does not start at the indicated times or parameters, we will check the temperature ranges we have entered for each time of day and night.
We will also adapt the control algorithm to our type of installation. SALUS Controls mostly offer two control algorithms to choose from - hysteresis and TPI. By choosing hysteresis, you can specify its range. Deciding on the TPI algorithm, you can indicate what type of heating it is to be used for (floor, radiator or electric).
Devices designed specifically for underfloor heating also operate based on the PWM algorithm. This function allows the inertia of the underfloor heating, so it closes/opens the actuators appropriately earlier/ later, preventing the room from overheating or cooling down.
Finally, remember that we should always adjust the parameters of room thermostats to suit our lifestyle. To do this, you should carefully read the instruction manual, ask the installer or manufacturer of the control automation you purchased.
;;https://salus-controls.eu//wp-content/uploads/2023/01/1920-x500-Regulator-nie-dziala-jak-powinien.png|_|;;https://salus-controls.eu/2023/01/06/discover-smart-solutions-for-your-home/;;Discover smart solutions for your home;;;;|_|Control your heating, free yourself from costs and energy waste. ;;https://salus-controls.eu/2022/11/25/we-solve-4-major-concerns-about-heating-control/;;We solve 4 major concerns about heating control;;A heating control system is needed in every place where people live and work. Thanks to it, the heating system does not waste heat energy, and the right temperature improves well-being and supports our biological rhythm - improves concentration, quality of rest, sleep. We have written about this many times. However, still not everyone decides to install a control system. Today we try to answer the question of what stands in the way of this decision. Why do some of us not control the heating in our home? We present the 4 most common concerns and explain why they are wrong.
Modern heating controls - both radiator and underfloor heating - are wrongly associated with luxury. Something that comes in handy, but is not so useful as to be essential. So much for the efficient intake of heating fuel provided by a heating control system, this is no luxury. Here, it's really about something more than convenience and thermal comfort - which we are willing to sacrifice, especially now, in tough economic times.
Temperature thermostats are not a luxury good, but a utility good.
They were created to consciously consume the heating medium throughout the winter season. Accurate control algorithms and well-thought-out schedules allow us to adjust the temperature to how we live and prevent energy waste. We use only as much energy as we need to.
But this only happens with devices that constantly control this process. Further conclusions follow: if our installation uses less heating fuel, we pay lower energy bills.
Then there's ZONE CONTROL, which we sometimes don't consider at all, thinking it's unnecessary ("Why do we need a thermostat in every room?"). It seems to us that if we buy one thermostat and install it where we are most often, it is enough to control the heating. However, this is a dead end, because then we will have the optimal temperature only in this one room - in the other rooms it will be random. So what if, for example, the living room will be pleasantly warm (because the thermostat will make sure the comfortable temperature there), if the rooms of other household members will be cold? In the end, it will force us to raise the heating parameters, so there is no way to save money.
What's worse, in such a situation, the main room - the one with the thermostat and the one where it was supposed to be perfectly warm - will be overheated. Only thermostats working in each room separately will actually allow us to adjust the temperature to our expectations - no matter what kind of heating we have, what kind of heat source. The intake of the heating medium will be economical and ecological. And then we will pay lower bills. And this is what a heating control system is needed for.
Since the heating control system is associated with luxury, the concern of the unconvinced may be its price. Because, as we all know, you have to pay a lot for luxury. So the idea that the control system is expensive may hold us back from buying it. This thought discourages us from doing the calculations and checking "how expensive". Maybe not as expensive as we thought after all?
We treat the investment in advance as an expense and not as an investment in saving money. And that is exactly what it is - an investment in saving money and energy, as we wrote above. So if we look at this one-off cost as something that will pay off and pay off in lower heating energy consumption, the price will no longer be a scaring. It will be a contribution to a 'cheaper tomorrow'. After all, it is a well-known fact that you have to invest to gain.
In addition to all this, the product range is rich. Among SALUS Controls thermostats you can find models at really affordable prices. After all, ZONE CONTROL does not require the purchase of the most expensive thermostats at once.
Yes, they will work if you want the latest solutions with many features, such as an integrated humidity sensor or a comfortably warm floor option (with underfloor heating).
Such thermostats offer the possibility of expanding the smart home system and creating scenarios of device dependencies (tap to run), which is a great help in running a household. However, if you do not care about such advanced functions or controlling your heating via the Internet, there are cheaper products to choose from. Cheaper, but still proven and effective.
The very name "heating control system" sounds like something complicated, something you have to learn, something you have to know how to handle - so that it works as it should, and so that you don't break anything. This can be a discouraging factor, because technology sometimes scares us. Especially if you feel that once you have brought it under your roof, you are left alone with it. Not everyone feels like reading long instructions and then figuring out everything by trial and error anyway. And there is some validity in this concern - home automation requires a certain amount of knowledge. But, if you choose well, it's not a barrier.
Many brands - such as ours - take great care to ensure that the customer is not left alone with the technology after purchase. SALUS Controls offers continuous and free assistance in the installation and then in the operation of the devices. It can be used by installers as well as individual customers. At the same time, permanent assistance is one that lasts for the entire life of the heating control system.
Thanks to the experience and knowledge of our installers, even at the installation stage of the system, the customer has the chance to ask questions and clear up any doubts. The installers explain everything in detail. They support the customer not only during installation, but also during start-up and operation.
Finally, we try to ensure that the user manuals for our products are not big books, in which it is difficult to find the information needed. Our abbreviated manuals are specific information that the customer needs to know in order to operate the purchased equipment correctly. Everything is described and supported by clear diagrams. On our YouTube channel, we regularly post instructional videos in which we show, step by step, the process of pairing drivers and implementing the system. So there should be no fear of handling our equipment. The customer is never left alone with the technology we create.
It is also a myth that a heating control system is only for new buildings. This is not true.
Of course, the installation of 230 V appliances does indeed require the routing of cables, which often involves renovation work, forging of walls, etc. Therefore, it is much easier to plan it during the construction phase of a building or premises. The more extensive the system, the more thoughtful the installation work should be. However, this is not the rule.
If you decide on a heating control system made entirely or mostly of wireless products, annoying renovation work is out of the question. Of course, signal strength is important for the smooth operation of the system. Therefore, it is worth knowing that in the SALUS Smart Home system, each 230 V device strengthens the wireless signal, in a way becoming a repeater. This allows you to build a solid network of home devices.
So, a heating control system can be successfully installed in any building/apartment - including one that we have lived in for a long time.
There is another reason why we do not always control our heating system. This reason is the fact that we are not aware of how good a heating control system we can create for ourselves. And not necessarily in houses, but also in flats. People simply don't know that they can do this and how much they can gain by, for example, already owning a 2-3 room flat. And they can gain the same things as homeowners - comfort and savings.
What does it take to create a functional and economical system in a flat?
You will need intelligent TRV thermostatic heads mounted at the radiators (radiator heating), room thermostats and - for example - opening sensors to place at the windows. With these devices, you will gain control over the consumption of heating fuel:
Examples of such rules for flats can be multiplied, depending on the needs. And your imagination.
;;https://salus-controls.eu//wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1920x520_BLOG_dlaczego-nie-kupiles-systemu-sterujacego-ogrzewaniem.png|_|In modern construction, underfloor heating is leading the way. But is underfloor to the only option? Check out the variants of surface heating.;;https://salus-controls.eu/2022/10/28/is-surface-heating-just-an-underfloor-heating/;;Is surface heating just an underfloor heating?;;Surface heating is a type of heating system in which the entire room is heated by invisible to the eye pipes with spiral or meandering arrangement. They are concealed in the floor, but can also be installed in the ceiling or wall. The heat source (heating factor) can be: water, air or electricity. Obviously, this type of heating has a much larger surface area than radiators and gives off heat to the entire heating surface. It works on the principle of radiation, in much lesser degree of convection. As a result, it heats evenly and slowly - it also loses heat slowly. To maintain a comfortable temperature (about 22-23°C) in the room (in the heating zone), surface heating needs a low supply temperature (up to 30°C), which is not only environmentally friendly, but also economical.
Why is it like that? It's pure physics. If we want to reduce the thermal parameter of the supply, we have to increase the heating surface. And this is what happens in surface heating.
What is most important, the low supply temperature of the surface heating works well with eco-friendly heat pumps, which are becoming increasingly popular among forward-thinking investors.
The advantages of surface heating have been discussed many times (e.g. here). To summarize them, you need to know that – in comparison with radiator heating – surface heating is more efficient and healthier. It is also more comfortable for householders, because with lower supply temperatures and gradual heat distribution, the house is never overheated. Warm air does not "hit in the face " as it happens in the case of radiators, that "throw out" the hot air that is floating to the ceiling. The result is that, the radiator distributes heat very unevenly – the further away we are from the radiator, the colder it is for us, and sitting by the radiator we can hardly bear the heat. Another issue is the air quality. Surface heating does not dry the air, and radiators do. Very much. Radiators also collect dust in the recesses on their surface. They cause movement of air; they carry pollutants, forcing us to inhale them.
In the case of underfloor heating - the most popular version of surface heating - the manifold distributes the heating factor (e.g., water) through pipes or heating tubes, hidden in the floor. This is added comfort of stepping on a pleasantly warm floor, although in practice it comes down to the fact that - except the bathroom, where the floor is actually perceptibly warm - in other rooms it is not simply unpleasantly cold. The most outstanding is that what the floor is covered in. The best heat conductors are ceramic tiles, laminated panels, waterproof vinyl, resin flooring, wood (so materials with low thermal resistance). Underfloor heating is the most efficient and unquestionably the most popular version of surface heating - it brings thermal comfort at the lowest supply temperatures.
With ceiling heating (installation behind e.g. a false ceiling), the heat radiates evenly from the ceiling to the structural components of the building and to the objects in the interior. We feel the heat at head level, not leg-height. In this case, we will not benefit from the comfort of a warm floor. For many builders, this is a disadvantage, but there are also advantages: there is no risk of covering the heating surface with a carpet or disturbing the installation when hanging cupboards or decorations (as with wall heating, for example, which we will discuss in a moment). On the other hand, we must take care of the insulation of the building. The supply temperature for ceiling heating is usually higher than for underfloor heating, because the heat does not fall to the ground. To ensure that the heating effect is satisfactory, supply temperature needs to be increased.
Wall heating is the least common form of surface heating. Heating elements are permanently built-in in the walls and emit heat through them, warming the interior. As with underfloor and ceiling heating, the heat spreads gradually without overheating or raising dust. There are no additional layers here to reduce efficiency (e.g. panels, carpets). However, you should be aware that with this solution, the usable area of the room is reduced - it becomes smaller by the thickness of the installation built into the wall (this is especially noticeable with air heating). With this type of surface heating, it is also necessary to set a higher flow temperature than with underfloor heating (up to 45℃). However, it is still economical and low enough not to cause damage or burns in the event of possible contact.
Where to install the heating elements is one thing, but the heating factor you ultimately decide on - water, air or electricity - is crucial. The running costs of the surface heating, and therefore of the entire house, will depend on this important choice.
The water heating system heat the building through plastic or metal pipes through which hot water flows. The installation is insulated and protected against leaks or moisture. This is important to prevent corrosion, rusting or rotting of the heating elements.
Air heating system is characterised by the fact that there are special channels in the ground or wall in which heated air circulates - it is set in motion by an internal fan.
Electric surface heating is based entirely on heat conducted through heating cables or foils. Its main advantage is the ease and 'cleanliness' of installation and convenient operation, while the obvious disadvantage is the price of the heating fuel. Electricity is expensive, especially with such increased use.
They are still a kind of market "innovation", which is why it is worth mentioning that they exist and represent an interesting variant, or rather alternative, to the installation of surface heating. These are the so-called capillary tube mats, i.e. light and thin chains of polypropylene tubes through which the heating factor (water) flows. They are installed with screws into the surface (floor, wall, ceiling) before plastering. The capillaries are flexible and can be formed, which means that they can be placed on architectural elements of different shapes and cross-sections - e.g. on a semi-circular wall, a suspended ceiling, in the attic (bevels). Capillary tube mats are not only lightweight, they also operate quietly (quieter than surface heating) and do not actually reduce the usable area of the room.
When choosing capillary mats, it is important to remember to install them in walls for which we have no long-term decorating or renovation plans. Accidentally drilling through the plastic tubes (e.g. when hanging a painting) can cause damage and expose us to unnecessary repair and renovation costs. Such a wall cannot be covered by a large piece of furniture - then the operation of the mats misses the point. However, these are limitations which equally apply to wall-mounted surface heating.
At the moment, the biggest disadvantage of capillary tube mats is the high installation price. When buying them, pay attention to the quality of the materials used and the solidity of the welds.
Each room in a building has an individual need for heat. Rooms may lose it at different rates, but they also have different functions, so they should have different temperatures. This is why it is important to introduce zone control, which involves installing thermostats separately for each heating zone. Then each room will have its own set temperature. Of course, with air heating (radiators) this is also important and necessary, but underfloor heating in particular needs precise control. This is because of what we essentially consider to be the advantage of this installation - it is slow to heat up and slow to give off heat. With this operating mechanism, the heating schedule must be logically thought out, planned in advance and monitored by controllers.
Manually, we are unable to operate the surface heating comfortably and efficiently.
;;https://salus-controls.eu//wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1920x520_ogrzewanie_plaszczyznowe.png|_|Discover SALUS Controls heating systems and their abilities to make your bills lower.;;https://salus-controls.eu/2022/10/28/how-to-save-heating-energy/;;Looking for a method to save energy? Choose heating control;;Discounts or subsidies will not stop rising inflation. They will only postpone its unpleasant effects. If we're in the mood for it, we can joke that it will be cheapest to light a fire and rely on the traditional way of heating the house. Only that jokes, while they certainly help to endure reality, will not translate into energy savings. Let's rethink our steps during this difficult time.
Replacing the installation with a more economical one is not the only option to pay less. However, not everyone can afford such an investment, while everyone wants to do something to reduce the expense of heating the house. Besides, even if we decide to upgrade the entire CH, we still have a chance to increase savings. It is given by installing the right control system for the heating system - any kind.
It doesn't matter whether we heat the building with a solid fuel boiler, liquid fuel boiler, electric boiler, gas boiler. Or maybe we heat the house with an ecological heat pump? It doesn't matter either. What matters is primarily the way of the installation consumes the heating fuel we pay for. This way can be wasteful if we do not use controllers for heating. Investing in them will definitely be cheaper than replacing the installation, and will bring the desired results. That's because automating energy consumption is low-carbon and energy-efficient. It protects the environment and - which is now hugely important - reduces bills.
Installation of the control system is not complicated or hard. Well-known brands, such as SALUS Controls, offer free support during the selection, installation and subsequent use of control products. Saving energy is easier than it seems.
The heat source (boiler, heat pump), controlled by heating automation, produces only as much heat as it really needs to maintain the temperature we set. There is no overheating of the interiors or cooling them, after which even more energy is needed to restore a comfortable temperature for us. Of course, room thermostats do not affect the price of heating fuel, but they help to manage its intake. As a result, heating costs are reduced no matter what type of fuel we heat the house with.
If the heating of a building is based on measurements coming from only one room, such as the living room, where the thermostat has been installed, the temperature in the other rooms will be random. This is neither efficient nor, of course, comfortable. Someone will always be either too cold or too hot. Zone control allows you to easily manage the heat of each room separately.
Investment in one thermostat seems to be a smaller expense than the one-time purchase of several temperature thermostats - needed for zone control. However, this is a that simple, since such a calculation is about the initial expense, not energy savings. Over the course of the building's operation, zone control will save on energy consumption, which will increase the savings from buying just one thermostat, installed in the most frequently used room.
SALUS Controls offers energy-saving devices for temperature control in buildings using any type of heating: radiator, underfloor, electric, fan coil. There is a choice of modern thermostats operating by wire, wireless, via the Internet - the SALUS Smart Home system.
It is worth taking a closer look at the devices that support daily energy savings, because temperature control helps optimize the operation of the heating system not only in private homes, but also in commercial premises, workplaces, offices or hotels.
With zone control, that is, installing a temperature thermostat separately in each room, we can reduce the heat by a few degrees in places where we are less often present (such as the hallway). The same, when no one is at home. A few days or even hours a day of economical temperature will make a difference when paying bills later.
According to experts, lowering the temperature in homes by 1℃ saves 6-7% on energy bills. If we translate this over the entire heating season, the numbers starting to be major. Consciously lowering the temperature - without sacrificing comfort on a daily basis - will save concrete amount of money.
In the coming months and even years, the heating industry will not escape severe increases. Market analysts also warn of rising electricity prices. As we mentioned at the beginning, the cost of operating buildings will rise. We can’t escape this change. To feel them less „painful”, we need to save energy on our own. Temperature control is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
Less heating fuel is consumed by maintaining a constant temperature in the building. During the absence of household members, the building should have an economic (lower) temperature. The installation should not be turned off completely, as this will cause the interiors to cool down, which will have to be reheated. Meanwhile, the installation uses more energy to heat cold interiors than to maintain an economic temperature in them. That's why it's worth relying on heating automation.
Reasonable consumption of heating fuel goes hand in hand with technological trends. Therefore, the modern smart home is no longer just a matter of convenience and comfort - although, no doubt, this is an advantage. SALUS Smart Home is more than convenience. It is an energy-saving potential that must be used.
The SALUS smart Home system consists the devices that allow you to save energy by controlling the operation of a boiler, central heating pump, DHW pump or other heating or cooling device. In addition to voltage- or battery-powered temperature thermostats, the series includes an Internet gateway, wiring centres for controlling surface heating, wireless thermostatic heads, control modules, smart plugs (controlling electrics up to 3600W), sensors: window/door opening, flooding, smoke, motion, and other accessories. The whole system complements a modern and energy-efficient interior.
SALUS Smart Home is operated through a free web application (mobile and desktop versions). The software allows you to control devices from anywhere in the world. You just need to register an account and have internet connectivity.
Controlling home installations reduces energy losses during the operation of the building, which promotes environmental protection and translates into significantly lower fees. Saving heating energy is done in the spirit of modernity. Any landlord will appreciate such technological assistance.
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