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Yo yo yo clever peeps!

I was wondering, and I thought one of you might know... are there any central heating programmers that do more than 2 on/off times? Mine is a Honeywell 1 day programmer that lets you do on-off on-off. Now I'm home all day it would be nice to have at least one extra phase in the middle of the day...

I've tried looking online... but... I don't get it. Is this going to suit my needs?

http://www.honeywelluk.com/Products/Tim ... d/ST9100C/

and as the wiring is just about "calling" the switch on the boiler (combi btw) I'm assuming it shouldn't need changing?

Yes. That should do. If you already have a Honeywell it should be a straight swap. Most programmers use a standard design of backplate which allows you to fit just about any make. No wiring to do. Also available are programmers that can do more than 3 separate on/off periods.

Ace

Thank you!

Neil you're back! been anywhere good?

Someone call...?

Boringly, this is something I do know about.

Louise, do you have a room thermostat? If so (and you should...), I'd strongly recommend you look at something called a 'Programmable Thermostat', and one of the best is called the 'Heatmiser' (I'll find a link for you.)

You fit this small thingy where the room 'stat is - just swap them around. It will then do TWO things for you - program the on and off times for your heating (lots each day), and ALSO set the TEMP for EACH timing.

For instance, you could program it to come on at 20oC at 7am, go down to 16oC at 8.30am, back up to 21oC at 5pm, down to 15oC at 11pm... etc. No more going back and forth turning the room 'stat up and down - it's all set. Your house will automatically be at the correct temp for each part of the day! And, of course, you can override it any time you want with a press of a button. They are FAB!

Can you tell me what kind of boiler system you have - is it a 'combi' that heats the hot water for your taps whenever you turn on a tap, or do you have hot water stored in a cylinder? Also, what type of room thermostat do you have, and where is your current Honeywell timer fitted?

One of them: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PROGRAMMABLE-HEAT ... 4154d5b180

(This one needs a 'back box' as it's partly sunk into the wall. You can also get them 'flush' fitting which means they stick out a bit - probably like the one you currently have.)


Or new for around £47.50 delivered: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Heatmiser-PRT-P ... pd_cp_kh_1

If this tickles your whatsits, I can lead you through the wiring - should be pretty straight-forward.

Hey DA, thanks for the info!

It's a combi where the hot water comes "on demand" rather than stored, we have an "old fashioned dial" room 'stat in the hall (not ideal because it is draughty) then rad 'stats. The programmer is next to the boiler in the bathroom. I think the system was only installed 3 years ago.

In which case, that is ideal for this device. (Although a draughty hall ain't the best place for the room 'stat...)

All you would need to do is (a) replace your 'dial' room stat with the Heatmiser and (b) set your current timer to 'always on' or '24hrs' - you don't need to remove it (although you could if you wanted to by by-passing the wires as if it was always 'on').

What happens then is that your current timer will always provide a feed to the new room stat, and the room 'stat (Heatmiser) does the rest - the 'on and offs' and the temps.

The wiring is dead simple (and dead deadly... only kidding ) should you wish to do this, and I'll explain it clearly for you if you want to do it. Or, get a knowledgeable friend or sparky in if that's what you'd normally do.

Your current 'dial' room stat will almost certainly be 'surface mounted' which mean it sits proud of the wall. It won't necessarily have a metal 'back box' embedded in the wall behind it, but it might - it's simple to have a look. Anyways, if it DOES have a back box, then the Heatmiser will sit flush and look the dog's bo... (oops, forgot I was speaking to a lady... ). If it doesn't, then your options will be to use a white plastic surface mounted box to hold the Heatmiser (it'll stick out like your current one does, but still look better!), or else you get yer handyman/lady/sparky to chisel out for a metal sunken back box and fit it flush.

You will NOT regret fitting a Programmable Thermostat - you will wonder how you managed without it.

Depending on the 'skill' and knowledge level of whoever does the job, you might also want to consider moving the room stat from the draughty hall to your sitting room where it will get more reliable temp readings. I'm suggesting this just in case it might turn out to be an easy thing to do - perhaps where it's fitted at the moment is on a wall shared with the sitting room and all you'd have to do is drill through the wall and bring the cable through to its new side?! It's certainly not essential, but it would be 'better'.

(The reason for this is that the room 'stat - as you know - effectively controls the heating to the whole house. So, if it's a windy day and a cold draught comes into the hallway and cools the 'stat, the WHOLE house is 'told'' to get warmer - not exactly fuel efficient.)

If you do decide to move its location, then it should be positioned away from radiators, direct sunlight, and anything that could cover it (curtains, etc.)

Anyways, let me know what you plan, and if you need any info, please just ask