Controlling heating using your mobile

[decho]

Has anyone used or installed the PT32 GST? It allows you to send text messages from your mobile to control your central heating. I know British Gas also has a system with a mobile phone App, but this looks just as good.
This just seems like a really useful thing to have.

 

[ALEC1]

it will be useful for the first six months then you will get bored of it...

an absolute gimmick!

 

[decho]

Sorry but I dont think this is a gimic! The same thing was said when texting was introduced to mobile phones!

We are often out late or working or away for the weekend/holiday and dont know exactly when are going to get home.
I think it would be really useful to switch the heating on or turn it up a bit before coming home.
To send a text 'ON' or 'Temp 20' seems a really good way of achieving this, and this controller has all normal aspects of a normal controller and not very much more expensive.

I believe this is just the start and soon we will be able to control many more things in our houses from our mobiles!

 

[Dan Robinson]

A gadget freak though I am, and with a totally OTT heating control system installed.... I agree with Alec. Totally pointless gimmick. Along with much home automation.

Only conceivable use I can think of is for people with a second home that they can switch on when they set off.

 

[ALEC1]

the problem is that heating something up quickly forces the boiler to be inefficient...

of course it does depend on hours of occupancy of the house...but generally a fairly high set back stops the building getting too cold

this gadget would be useful in church hall which is infrequently used, but most houses definitely not...

then there is the reliability issue..

 

[bolshy]

http://www.salus-tech.com/products/thermostat/it500/

You may be interested in this then - bit more sexy if you like that sort of thing.....

 

[ALEC1]

the problem with all these things is that you are taking on approach (on-off) controls to boilers that are universally designed to vary heat output around demand using compensation controls..

a much better approach is to take the boiler manufacturers controls which work seamlessly to give an integrated and well considered heating system to enhance efficiency....

 

[decho]

the problem with all these things is that you are taking on approach (on-off) controls to boilers that are universally designed to vary heat output around demand using compensation controls..

a much better approach is to take the boiler manufacturers controls which work seamlessly to give an integrated and well considered heating system to enhance efficiency....

I dont really know the most efficient way to run a boiler and I dont want to overcomplicate this, but I would have thought it was not to leave it on at 20' plus when there is nobody in the house.
My issues are:
1. I am continually leaving the house and forgetting to either turn the heating off(or turn the temperature down) before I go.I usually remember at some point, but the heating is left blasting away at 20' plus for hours when there's nobody in the house.
2. If I do remember to turn it off/down I dont know when I am coming home so I cant preset my heating before I go - however I like to have a warm house when I do come home.

Yes I know I could stick a big sign on my front door saying 'Turn Off the Heating' but it would still mean I am coming home to a cold house.

So if there are any other solutions to this, please let me know!

 

[ALEC1]

anything that lowers the flow temperature is going to save you energy...

well thats what this gadget does it overcomplicates things....

houses loose heat when there is no one there...the best thing is to ensure it doesn't get too cold...

keep is simple use a proprietary controller and set it up to reflect your life style....

if you have no routine then run it permamantly in set back and just boost when you need to...

 

[Corgigrouch]

I'm usually very anti gadget but the salus thingy would work well for me as I have no fixed pattern to my comings and goings.... The one down side that I can see is that I don't use a smart phone... I don't see them having a future.. Perhaps I'll look at it when I rip out my Greenstar for an ATAG.

 

[Onetap]

an absolute gimmick!

For turning domestic heating on and off, maybe.

If you have a computer/ PLC/ micro-controller system (thinking along the lines of a Raspberry Pi type IP controller) it could do other stuff that maybe useful. For example, logs and graphs temperatures (essential for a care home owner, for example); e-mail alert for low temperature or high temperature alarms; PID control of room temperatures; alarm logs; control of multiple heat sources; optimum start; etc., etc..

Consider what car engine controls were like 30 years ago (thermostats, centrifugal advance-******, electro-mechanical switches, etc) and compare with how they are controlled now. The reason for the change is that the electronic controllers are cheaper (for the manufacturer), more efficient and more reliable. As always, they promptly contrived means of using the new technology to shaft their customers.

 

[bolshy]

I don't really care whether the Salus unit saves money, it looks the dog's. I just have to convince one of my customers that they NEED one....so I can have a go

 

[hansthebear]

they are good as far as i am concerned, in my flat there is no way keeping the heating on all day but with a low flow temperature would use less gas than having the heating on for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening.

 

[oilhead]

Most people with a twin channel programmer can't be bothered to use it to their full potential. Most programmable thermostats are never used to their capacity because they become too complicated with several time periods and temp levels. The first question most people ask, when confronted with a new programmer is 'where's the override?'
The obsession with multi option units is driven by designers and marketers backed up by legislators who have no conception of daily practicality.
Until we get the heating control equivalent of 'sky plus', then controls will continue to be abused. Maybe a text is the answer, and most people will do it from their sofa instead of walking to the wall!!!!!!
Another victory for the I-phone tsars who extract a fortune from us for their unnecessary products.

 

[Phill Peck]

I agree with Alec pointless device, and it won't save as much energy as other options

You would be better off with a programable room thermostat.

Mine at home (not quite a programble stat but load compensator)maintains 15deg all day and steps up in the morning and evening. If you get home early its already 15 so doesn't take long to reach 20.

Also it is far more efficient to keep the structure of your home warm(15ish)

If you have your heating off allday then turn it on it will spend the first couple of hours heating up the floors and walls before the room will feel hot.

Compensation controls are the most efficient way of heating (and maintaining the heat of) your home