In this period of Green Deal and incentives, many have decided to renovate their homes. And in doing so, they wondered how to improve the heating system to adapt it to their needs.
As experts in the sector, the first piece of advice we give is obviously to always contact a professional, when it comes to systems that are vital for the comfort and safety of the home.
Meanwhile, let’s see together what are the most common strategies.
Improve heating system with thermostatic valves
First of all, we remind you that in Europe, both for centralized and independent systems, it is mandatory to install a thermostatic valve (mechanical or electronic) for each radiator, so it is no longer a choice, but an obligation (2012/27/UE).
In heating systems, thermostatic valves are used on common radiators to regulate the flow of hot water, in order to reduce consumption and can be set to the desired temperature in the environment (e.g. lower in bedrooms, higher in the living room, study, kitchen…). On the market, there are highly technological models, which can also be controlled via apps and smartphones.
Thermostatic valves perform their job very well especially in apartments or houses that do not provide for the subdivision into “zones” of heating (eg day / night), or to manage the temperature of small rooms rarely used during the day.
To optimize the coexistence of a thermostat or chronothermostat with the zone valves, we recommend not adjusting the valve in the same room where the thermostat or chronothermostat is, ‘cause it would not be able to reach the setpoint temperature, continuing to send activation requests to the boiler. Rather act on the valves in the other rooms, increasing or decreasing the desired temperature.
If your thermostat is installed in a room that you use little, or subject to drafts, or on the contrary, if you work in a room where the thermostat is not present, the solution could be to replace the appliance with a radio thermostat, so that it can be installed in the room that requires a higher temperature during the day.
Improve heating system dividing zones
If you want to intervene more decisively in larger buildings, dividing the system into zones is the best solution, both for traditional and underfloor heating.
In the case of zone heating, each room or floor or area will have its own hot water circuit, controlled by a valve and / or a small pump in the boiler room. Each zone will then be equipped with a thermostat or chronothermostat to manage the room temperature throughout the day. The most common example is the division into living area (warmer) and sleeping area (colder), also based on the habits of the inhabitants of the house.
In order to proceed, the intervention of a professional is undoubtedly necessary: he can identify the zones, the feasibility of subdivision based on the pipes present, and the possibility of installing a zone valve on the boiler. It could also be a good time to directly replace the boiler with a more performing model, which reduces emissions and controls consumption.
As we have already said in this article, consider that only the main thermostat will control the activation of the boiler, while the second will allow the temperature to be adjusted in the second zone, which for this reason must always have a lower temperature than the main one.
If, on the other hand, you want all your thermostats to be independent (e.g. in the bedroom there is also a small room where children study or play), additional control devices must be provided on the boiler. Also in this case, it will be possible to opt for a radio thermostat, which does not require the passage of connection cables to the boiler through the electrical system.
Install an underfloor heating system
If the renovation is to be truly radical, it is also possible to opt for the installation of underfloor heating, whose savings, in energy terms, are over 15%, when compared to traditional systems.
In order to install underfloor heating, the old floor must be removed or the possibility of raising it by about 15 cm in height (between insulation, screed, system itself and covering). It could be a solution in old houses with high ceilings, so as to guarantee the habitability limit of the main rooms of 2.70 meters in Italy, even if few know that the so-called “minimum decree” of 2015 lowers the minimum height to 2.60 meters on condition that an underfloor heating system is built. Be careful to deal also with the electrical systems and switches present! In any case, a specialized technician will be able to give you all the best advice.
Install thermostats with TPI control
Often the quality and accuracy of the room thermostat entity is underestimated, in the belief that everyone, for better or worse, does what is required, that is, to control the boiler so that it reaches a certain temperature. In reality, replacing a thermostat with a more performing one offers countless advantages if you want to improve the heating system, in terms of programming, times, zone management, but also energy saving.
For example, thermostats with TPI control allow to reduce the boiler ignition time in proportion to the required temperature, since when the room temperature approaches the set one, the thermostat calculates how many minutes are actually needed to reach it, keeping the boiler on only the time needed. Among the IMIT products with TPI control you will find Chronomix-S, Techno Duo, Techno WPT OT and Techno App.
In case you are undecided which thermostat or chronotermostat to opt for, we invite you to read these articles:
- How to replace an old room thermostat
- How to choose the right room thermostat for classic and underfloor heating systems
- How to choose the right room thermostat for combined heating and cooling systems
- Why do choose a radio thermostat?
To find out more on ambient control, browse our site, download our catalog or consult a preview of the instruction manuals of our products for home and office comfort and understand the one that best suits you. For further requests, send an email to info@imit.it. Our staff will reply as soon as possible.