[rosstin]

Originally Posted by Hartside

I've been reading this thread with interest and I'm still unclear as to the advantages of Hive, Tado etc over a programmable wireless thermostat with multiple time settings and radiators with standard trv's fitted. I get that you can set different temperatures in the room with the trv control but is that any different to moving the trv from position 3 to position 4 manually? Serious question, not trying to be funny. Spent some time on the Tado website the other night but I wasn't much further forward at the end of it

For me it's about flexibility - life with children and guests coming and going doesn't always run to a fixed schedule. Sometimes I'm working at home, sometimes not - same for the wife.

But when life does run to a schedule we can get away from rigid time slots for the whole house and think what works best individually for each room. Playroom on until bathtime, then child rooms on, then living room for us, etc etc. Off at all other times. An app avoids the need to run around the house fine tuning manual TRV's all the time.

We keep the baby's room at a constant temp throughout the night, only possible with a digital control.

And with an old central thermostat, once it reaches target all other rads switch off, correct? Essentially it's a compromise between different areas or rooms.

Also it's quite handy to monitor historical room temp and humidity for each room. Oh and me and the wife can both control all of this individually from our phones, anywhere if needed.

[225]

We have nest which is good but not smart valve compatible fully. Found this though so might investigate this for ours.
I like Nest as it senses when you go past so if it doesn't register anyone for a while it turns the heating down and off, also learns patterns like the others.

https://www.trustedreviews.com/revie...mihome-heating

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by 225

We have nest which is good but not smart valve compatible fully. Found this though so might investigate this for ours.
I like Nest as it senses when you go past so if it doesn't register anyone for a while it turns the heating down and off, also learns patterns like the others.

https://www.trustedreviews.com/revie...mihome-heating

So it’s like the motion sensing lights that go off in the office when you are sat at your desk working hard

[zofinger]

Originally Posted by rosstin

Playroom on until bathtime, then child rooms on, then living room for us, etc etc. Off at all other times. An app avoids the need to run around the house fine tuning manual TRV's all the time.

Fine tuning and working out when to tinkle with the nursery/playroom TRVs is what I do multiple times per day. Whilst my Apple Watch loves it and it’s probably all the exercise I get nowadays, I’d be a sucker for an app controlled heating system - I HATE wasting heat.

[pmgreenwood]

Just had a central heating failure, hot water ok no heating. Fault was first thought to be a failure of the control valve but on the visit of the engineer, an old Potterton programmer now the prime suspect.

If needs replacing, the obvious time to go smart. I had a long chat with the boss of the heating firm, Nest does not fit my needs as need to control some individual radiators. His firm has been fitting Honeywell Eva home but has not been happy with the results, taken some systems out and stopped sending staff on further Honeywell training. Now switching to Tado having had good reports

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by pmgreenwood

Just had a central heating failure, hot water ok no heating. Fault was first thought to be a failure of the control valve but on the visit of the engineer, an old Potterton programmer now the prime suspect.

If needs replacing, the obvious time to go smart. I had a long chat with the boss of the heating firm, Nest does not fit my needs as need to control some individual radiators. His firm has been fitting Honeywell Eva home but has not been happy with the results, taken some systems out and stopped sending staff on further Honeywell training. Now switching to Tado having had good reports

Just the mention of Potterton…

Went through an extended troubleshooting experience with my Potterton + boilermate (unvented thermal store) system at the end of 2020. Had pumps replaced on the boilermate and the plumber was on the point of replacing the Potterton PCB which is a known weak point…

At that stage I remembered I had emergency cover on my home insurance, which had cost a huge £5….called them out for a second opinion…

Was a burnt out heat/flame sensor wire on the Potterton. Quick replacement and all good.

[pmgreenwood]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Just the mention of Potterton…

Went through an extended troubleshooting experience with my Potterton + boilermate (unvented thermal store) system at the end of 2020. Had pumps replaced on the boilermate and the plumber was on the point of replacing the Potterton PCB which is a known weak point…

At that stage I remembered I had emergency cover on my home insurance, which had cost a huge £5….called them out for a second opinion…

Was a burnt out heat/flame sensor wire on the Potterton. Quick replacement and all good.

I have a Bosch boiler which is operating fine. Just the Honeywell control valve we suspect not getting any instruction re central heating circuit from a Potterton programmer whose back half is at least 27 years old and whose Ep2002 front at least 15 years old

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by pmgreenwood

Just had a central heating failure, hot water ok no heating. Fault was first thought to be a failure of the control valve but on the visit of the engineer, an old Potterton programmer now the prime suspect.

If needs replacing, the obvious time to go smart. I had a long chat with the boss of the heating firm, Nest does not fit my needs as need to control some individual radiators. His firm has been fitting Honeywell Eva home but has not been happy with the results, taken some systems out and stopped sending staff on further Honeywell training. Now switching to Tado having had good reports

The guy I've had looking at mine says the Honeywell stuff is working quite well with heating systems, but they've had quite a few issues with it for the Hot Water systems. He's a friend of a friend so is looking in to things for me having inspected our system, and coming back with a recommendation shortly, but probably between the Honeywell and Tado system.

[pmgreenwood]

I had a Tado main programmer and wireless thermostat fitted on Thursday and I have also fitted TADO TRV's to all the radiators I could.

I have some very old cast iron radiators with 30 year old Drayton tr3 Classic TRV's fitted which are so old there is no adaptor for them. Fortunately, there are in rooms I do not use much and the existing TRV's keep them at an appropriate low temperature. I will upgrade Radiators to modern type with fins and TRV's to Tado this summer as the system will need to be drained to do the job. If self-fitting a system may be worth doing some research in advance on any existing TRV's and availability of Tado adaptors.


However, after a weekend's use, I am very happy with the massively increased level of control I have of heating the house. No longer wasting heat at times I do not use certain rooms. I was out Sunday morning 50 miles away from home. So marked away as I left for the event and was able to turn the heating back on as I left to return home so the house was warm when I arrived home

[Tengocity]

I saw that the Tado smart valves were on offer on Amazon, so have just bought 16 of them plus a starter kit which has the internet bridge and one valve. I think my TRVs are compatible, but if not I can always send back.

Once I've doen the TRVs then I'll only need some professional help for the Main thermostat, and Boiler control.

[pmgreenwood]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I saw that the Tado smart valves were on offer on Amazon, so have just bought 16 of them plus a starter kit which has the internet bridge and one valve. I think my TRVs are compatible, but if not I can always send back.

Once I've doen the TRVs then I'll only need some professional help for the Main thermostat, and Boiler control.

this Tado guide to compatibility document is useful

https://cdn.brandfolder.io/607DGEMS/...y_Guide_EN.pdf

I also found where I had heads like the 28mm 1.5 mm mitre ones, using this metal adapter was more reliable than using the free plastic ones that come with the Tado values

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01CEVYC8S

[pmgreenwood]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I saw that the Tado smart valves were on offer on Amazon, so have just bought 16 of them plus a starter kit which has the internet bridge and one valve. I think my TRVs are compatible, but if not I can always send back.

Once I've doen the TRVs then I'll only need some professional help for the Main thermostat, and Boiler control.

I should also have said that I felt some advantage in the two days before programmer fitting on Thursday when I was running the system with one Tado valve controlling the main lounge

[Bryans69]

Looking at this again, and it appears that Tado only allows for one wireless stat, which is no good for me as would want one for each of the rooms downstairs with underfloor heating (similar to our current, not smart, system). Is this correct, as seems to be quite a limitation? An ideas for a work around if so?

I believe Evohome can do this fine?

Looking at 4 wireless stats for downstairs zone, plus 6 TVRs for upstairs. Any other suggestions / thoughts

Thanks guys

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Originally Posted by Bryans69

Looking at this again, and it appears that Tado only allows for one wireless stat, which is no good for me as would want one for each of the rooms downstairs with underfloor heating (similar to our current, not smart, system). Is this correct, as seems to be quite a limitation? An ideas for a work around if so?

I believe Evohome can do this fine?

Looking at 4 wireless stats for downstairs zone, plus 6 TVRs for upstairs. Any other suggestions / thoughts

Thanks guys

Evohome will allow you to do that, they also do a UFH manifold controller too.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I saw that the Tado smart valves were on offer on Amazon, so have just bought 16 of them plus a starter kit which has the internet bridge and one valve. I think my TRVs are compatible, but if not I can always send back.

Once I've doen the TRVs then I'll only need some professional help for the Main thermostat, and Boiler control.

Was going to say Tengocity if you need any pointers with the wiring give us a shout. It's not that bad if you aren't bad with wiring.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by EvilDrPorkChop

Was going to say Tengocity if you need any pointers with the wiring give us a shout. It's not that bad if you aren't bad with wiring.

Thanks, but I've got a plumber who will help out, when he's got a moment… they're all super busy though.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Thanks, but I've got a plumber who will help out, when he's got a moment… they're all super busy though.

Yes, i'm beginning to tell people next year for bathrooms!

[Bryans69]

Originally Posted by EvilDrPorkChop

Evohome will allow you to do that, they also do a UFH manifold controller too.

OK thanks. Looks like a I need to find a good local installer to get me sorted with the right stuff. Know anyone in north Surrey ?

Wanted to do this when we first got the extension and UFH, but ran out of money

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Originally Posted by Bryans69

OK thanks. Looks like a I need to find a good local installer to get me sorted with the right stuff. Know anyone in north Surrey ?

Wanted to do this when we first got the extension and UFH, but ran out of money

Sorry no. Your best bet is Honeywell Find an Installer, it's the 'Connected Specialist' option you'll want.

https://heatingcontrols.honeywellhom...-an-installer/

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by Bryans69

Looking at this again, and it appears that Tado only allows for one wireless stat, which is no good for me as would want one for each of the rooms downstairs with underfloor heating (similar to our current, not smart, system). Is this correct, as seems to be quite a limitation? An ideas for a work around if so?

I believe Evohome can do this fine?

Looking at 4 wireless stats for downstairs zone, plus 6 TVRs for upstairs. Any other suggestions / thoughts

Thanks guys

One wireless stat but you can add extra wireless temperature sensors for other rooms….

[Bryans69]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

One wireless stat but you can add extra wireless temperature sensors for other rooms….

what's the difference? Can I control each UFH zone /room using a wireless sensor? Seems somewhat confusing to say the least. Why only one thermostat, but multiple sensors, which surely do the same thing

[SkyJawa]

Yeah for UFH it wont do what you want, the idea of the extra sensors is if for example you want a Tado Smart Stat on the rad but for whatever reason it isn't the best for reading the room temp due to location, the sensor allows you to place it elsewhere in the room and set that as the device that controls if the radiator stat opens or not.