Re: Zoned Heating Control

["k2kyhu" <kzkaram@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Laurence,

Well though you say you don't want other automation functions, you=20
might still want to consider the IDRATEK system as this is pretty=20
sophisticated in terms of its climate control capability and will not=20
cost an arm and a leg even if you just use it for heating control=20
alone.=20

You can do the zoning either using radiator actuators (we supply=20
Sauter 24V variants at ~ =A335, but any other types can also be used)=20
or using two port valves or a manifold structure if pipework is=20
centralised.

To control the room temperatures independently you need a temperature=20
sensor per room for feedback and possibly one overall for feedforward=20
(eg. outside sensor), and you need some sort of control algorithm to=20
integrate all this and provide the user interface. In the IDRATEK=20
system a very comprehensive control structure is implemented in=20
software - the reason is the level of capability it allows. For=20
example each room (or zone) has its own independent controller with 2=20
sets each of 24hour/7day resolution cooling/heating setpoint=20
profiles. 2 sets because one is used for when room is occupied and=20
the other when not, plus there is also a longer term absence=20
fallback. The control agorithms can also allow you to use=20
measurements from multiple sensors (eg. averaging), and adjust for=20
external conditions. There are also provisions for details such as=20
controlled load dumping (what to do when all zones are suddenly asked=20
to shut). For the more intrepid user there are also fuzzy logic and=20
linear parametric control add-ons.

Web/telephone access, data logging, and many other features are also=20
provided.

Karam

www.idratek.com



--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, Laurence Mason <laurence@...> wrote:
>
> We are building a large well insulated farm house and I would like=20
to=20
> have a practical system for zoning the heating. My dream system=20
would be:
>=20
> Separate zone for each room - we could consider ~20 zones
> Individual override in each (or some) rooms
> Central programming panel plus ability to do this via browser=20
interface
> Full seven day programming per zone
> External temperature compensation
> Wired system - not wireless - Radio amateur and do not want=20
interference=20
> either way
> Unobtrusive valves as we will be fitting column radiators and want=20
to=20
> achieve a look in keeping with them
> One or two areas of underfloor heating
> Learns thermal response of room ( we will have log burners in three=20
> rooms so not sure how this would affect the learning - and an aga=20
in the=20
> kitchen)
>=20
> Now, we went to the self build / automation show the other week,=20
which=20
> was very interesting - it is some years since we last went. Still=20
> waiting for some of the suppliers to sent us information - I guess=20
they=20
> must have a lot to catch up on.
>=20
> Talking to the automation people it appears there are a range of=20
> solutions, some of which are very expensive - =A320K buys me a lot
of=20
> heating oil!
>=20
> It would appear that the TRV body with the wired remote control=20
head is=20
> an economic way to control the flow of water in each of the zones -=20
we=20
> could even hide them in a cupboard or bathroom so they are not seen=20
in=20
> the main living rooms. It appears the major cost is in the=20
controller or=20
> are we missing something? In general we are not looking at=20
automating=20
> the lights or sound so don't want to pay for a system to only use=20
10% of=20
> it's power to control the heating - perhaps that is why some of=20
them=20
> appear so expensive? We will want a monitored alarm system so=20
perhaps=20
> that would help to offset the cost? We would cover the wiring and=20
plumbing.
>=20
> So any suggestions on a sensible way forward or do I just fit=20
normal=20
> TRVs in every room and spend a little more on oil each year? The=20
house=20
> is well insulated but it does seem wasteful to heat the spare room,=20
for=20
> example, to a normal temperature profile when we have no guests!
>=20
> Thanks,
>=20
> Laurence
>