Hello,
we have a somewhat complex problem and are currently unsure about what to do. Any experiences would be appreciated.
Our house is 23 years old, with a Buderus boiler and control system; the burner was recently replaced. In our living room, there was a kind of "thermostat" that was already broken when we bought the house. We naïvely accepted the sales advisor’s statement that it wasn’t needed and assumed that the heating could be controlled directly at the unit downstairs.
We suspect that something was set up about 23 years ago, after which no one cared about this thermostat, and eventually, it just broke. The water may be a bit cooler, and our bathroom radiator never really gets warm despite bleeding and unblocking. Otherwise, everything is fine for us. When my husband goes into the living room around 7 a.m., it’s still a bit cool, but absolutely okay, and when I come home in the afternoon, it’s warm in there. So far, so good.
Now, we have rented out our granny flat to a young woman for 8 weeks. There is only one heating circuit. Due to her work, she gets up at 4:30 a.m. This was not a problem before, but since last weekend it seems that the flat is freezing cold when she gets up in the morning. Previously, according to her, this was different, and the heating was running in the morning. Now it isn’t anymore. She feels cold and wants this changed, which I can understand.
Today, a technician was here. The problem is: this control unit is broken. The heating is set to something, the sensor is located outside on the north side, but exactly what was set can no longer be read or changed.
The young woman now wants the heating to be set so that it is warm at 4:30 a.m.
Because we have only one circuit, we cannot separate the systems for the granny flat and the main house. This means we would have to set it so that the radiators start heating at 4:30 a.m. for ourselves as well. This makes no sense for us—no one here gets up before 6:30 a.m., the children get up about an hour later, and we may not be as sensitive to cold.
But to do this at all, a new controller is needed. These parts from 25 years ago are no longer available today—you can get “refurbished” ones from various online shops for around 300 euros, but whether we can still set those ourselves is questionable.
The alternative would be a completely new heating control system, which would cost about 1500 euros; a binding offer will be made. That is certainly even more expensive 🙂
For us personally, everything is basically fine, so this is a lot of money. On the other hand, it may also not be very sensible if you have no way to adjust your own heating, and sooner or later, one might have to invest in this anyway?
we have a somewhat complex problem and are currently unsure about what to do. Any experiences would be appreciated.
Our house is 23 years old, with a Buderus boiler and control system; the burner was recently replaced. In our living room, there was a kind of "thermostat" that was already broken when we bought the house. We naïvely accepted the sales advisor’s statement that it wasn’t needed and assumed that the heating could be controlled directly at the unit downstairs.
We suspect that something was set up about 23 years ago, after which no one cared about this thermostat, and eventually, it just broke. The water may be a bit cooler, and our bathroom radiator never really gets warm despite bleeding and unblocking. Otherwise, everything is fine for us. When my husband goes into the living room around 7 a.m., it’s still a bit cool, but absolutely okay, and when I come home in the afternoon, it’s warm in there. So far, so good.
Now, we have rented out our granny flat to a young woman for 8 weeks. There is only one heating circuit. Due to her work, she gets up at 4:30 a.m. This was not a problem before, but since last weekend it seems that the flat is freezing cold when she gets up in the morning. Previously, according to her, this was different, and the heating was running in the morning. Now it isn’t anymore. She feels cold and wants this changed, which I can understand.
Today, a technician was here. The problem is: this control unit is broken. The heating is set to something, the sensor is located outside on the north side, but exactly what was set can no longer be read or changed.
The young woman now wants the heating to be set so that it is warm at 4:30 a.m.
Because we have only one circuit, we cannot separate the systems for the granny flat and the main house. This means we would have to set it so that the radiators start heating at 4:30 a.m. for ourselves as well. This makes no sense for us—no one here gets up before 6:30 a.m., the children get up about an hour later, and we may not be as sensitive to cold.
But to do this at all, a new controller is needed. These parts from 25 years ago are no longer available today—you can get “refurbished” ones from various online shops for around 300 euros, but whether we can still set those ourselves is questionable.
The alternative would be a completely new heating control system, which would cost about 1500 euros; a binding offer will be made. That is certainly even more expensive 🙂
For us personally, everything is basically fine, so this is a lot of money. On the other hand, it may also not be very sensible if you have no way to adjust your own heating, and sooner or later, one might have to invest in this anyway?
Hello Mizit,
Did the technician only adjust your thermostat in the living room, or did he also look at the boiler controls? Normally, he should be able to set everything at the boiler.
Your heating boiler is already a considerable age of 23 years... whether it is worthwhile to have a new control system installed is something to carefully consider.
Sooner or later, you will probably need a new boiler rather than just a new control system.
Best regards
Did the technician only adjust your thermostat in the living room, or did he also look at the boiler controls? Normally, he should be able to set everything at the boiler.
Your heating boiler is already a considerable age of 23 years... whether it is worthwhile to have a new control system installed is something to carefully consider.
Sooner or later, you will probably need a new boiler rather than just a new control system.
Best regards
You might not even need the room control and could manage it directly at the boiler. If in doubt, I would have a qualified technician take another look. Until recently, we also had an old, modified system, but it was still possible to control it within its limitations.
However, before investing a lot of money in a control system, keep in mind that after 30 years you are required to replace the heating system. It might make more sense to consider a completely new system right away. Especially if there are old pumps included, the investment could potentially pay off within about 7 years.
However, before investing a lot of money in a control system, keep in mind that after 30 years you are required to replace the heating system. It might make more sense to consider a completely new system right away. Especially if there are old pumps included, the investment could potentially pay off within about 7 years.
C
Caspar202016 Mar 2018 10:50@Mizit: Before you adjust the thermostat:
And by "reached" they don’t mean with all the windows wide open...
During the heating season, usually from October 1st to April 30th, the landlord must set the central heating system so that a minimum temperature between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius (68 and 72°F) can be reached inside the apartment, according to the German Tenants' Association (DMB).
However, the landlord is not required to guarantee these minimum temperatures "around the clock." At night, that is between 11:00 PM or midnight and 6:00 AM, a lowered temperature of 18 degrees Celsius (64°F) is considered sufficient.
And by "reached" they don’t mean with all the windows wide open...
I can understand the tenant; I wouldn’t want to live in an apartment that is freezing cold in the morning when I’m getting ready in the bathroom either...
These regulations starting from 6:00 AM are really outdated, especially considering early shifts or night shifts...
Not everyone today still has a 9-to-5 job!
I don’t think it’s fair to just tell the poor woman, “Tough luck, I myself only get up at 6:30 AM...”
These regulations starting from 6:00 AM are really outdated, especially considering early shifts or night shifts...
Not everyone today still has a 9-to-5 job!
I don’t think it’s fair to just tell the poor woman, “Tough luck, I myself only get up at 6:30 AM...”
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