ᐅ Upgrading underfloor heating with actuators and wireless receivers
Created on: 1 Oct 2020 11:58
A
ashley
Hello, I would like to equip our underfloor heating system with actuators and wireless receivers so that the temperature in the rooms can be controlled using wireless room thermostats. First, a basic question: does the heating manifold also need to be equipped with flow meters for this purpose? Our existing one does not have these meters. A second question: when replacing the actuators, can the old ones simply be removed and the new ones screwed on, or will water leak during this process? Thanks and best regards, Ashley
Mycraft schrieb:
Yes, just install actuator valves on the heating circuit manifolds as usual.Can you do that without shutting off the water?Mycraft schrieb:
And of course, a hydraulic balancing wouldn’t be a bad idea.I think with my system it’s only possible via a screw on the upper valves. Does an expert have to do that? Why would it be useful?Mycraft schrieb:
You would need someone on site who knows what they’re doing and can retrofit everything.Can’t you do it yourself without balancing? I don’t imagine it’s very complicated.T_im_Norden schrieb:
No, a thermal balancing has to be done and then controlled via the heating curve.I’m not sure. We have rooms (e.g. guest rooms) that don’t need heating for the entire heating season. That seems totally unnecessary. At least in our case, there isn’t a single setting or heat distribution (for all rooms) that works well for the whole house all the time (with just the boiler adjusted to be overall warmer or cooler). If that works for someone, then my approach isn’t necessary. But as we’ve experienced, more adjustments at the valves are needed.
However, you are heating the unheated rooms indirectly through the adjacent rooms, unless you insulate them separately, which is quite inefficient. Additionally, you increase the risk of mold if you let a room cool down uncontrolled and then allow warm (and therefore naturally more humid) air from a neighboring room to enter. The moisture in the warm air then condenses on the colder walls of the unheated room, leading to mold.
So, you should maintain at least 16-18°C (61-64°F), depending on the temperature of the rest of the space.
So, you should maintain at least 16-18°C (61-64°F), depending on the temperature of the rest of the space.
T
T_im_Norden2 Oct 2020 13:32Please share a photo of the heating manifold.
ashley schrieb:
Is it possible to do this without shutting off the water? Yes, instead of the manual valve handles you currently have, an electric actuator is installed. This device opens and closes the valve underneath. In other words, what you currently do manually will then happen automatically. The whole system needs to be controlled by room thermostats, which you will also need.
The problem is that you have a Giacomini system, and we don’t know exactly what components are installed. You might need adapters or other parts.
For this reason, it’s advisable to involve someone knowledgeable who can be on site. This could also be a friend or relative with experience.
What is your annual or monthly gas consumption?
Tolentino schrieb:
unheated roomsYes, I don’t let the rooms cool down completely, but there is a difference between 22°C (72°F) and 16°C (61°F).Here is a picture:
The picture actually shows nothing new; it is a typical R553D for 7 heating circuits from Giacomini. What is of interest is the consumption/heat loss of the heated building envelope. Possibly, the supply and return temperatures would also be relevant.
With high losses, it makes no sense at all to consider fine adjustments or even a thermal balancing. Here, a rough hydraulic balancing is sufficient, followed by the desired actuators instead of rotary controllers on the manifold, plus wireless thermostats in the rooms. Depending on the type of actuator, a heating actuator per manifold may also be required.
With high losses, it makes no sense at all to consider fine adjustments or even a thermal balancing. Here, a rough hydraulic balancing is sufficient, followed by the desired actuators instead of rotary controllers on the manifold, plus wireless thermostats in the rooms. Depending on the type of actuator, a heating actuator per manifold may also be required.