Some background info: We have a new build (2017) with a Heat Pump and A3 rating, although our usage almost puts us in the A2 (unofficially). We use ~6700/6800 kWh/yr for 130sqm, so we are coming in at approximately ~52 kWh/sqm/yr. I think we could easily reduce that by >300 units with better controls
The house is set up with 2 heating zones, upstairs and downstairs, with water controlled separately by the HP controller. Stats are in the sitting room and main bedroom, all other rooms have TRV valves on the rads. As with most HP setups, the system is 'on' all day and the stats control and maintain a steady temperature as they kick in/out.
My problem is with the thermostats that were installed. They are very basic EPH CM 2's with an R27 controller. They are not particularly accurate but I have managed to set them as low as possible through trial and error. The downstairs is set at ~19 °C but really it maintains a 21/22 °C room temperature. Similarly, upstairs is set at 16 °C but maintains 20-22 °C. They are both positioned in suitable positions away from sunlight, draughts and the rads themselves so position is not a problem
I wouldn't mind the offset between the set/actual temperature but my problem is that if I reduce the stats any further they will just stay off and won't heat at all. The house is either at a very comfortable 21/22°C or it cools down well below this. I'd like to be able to maintain a steady 20°C
One further issue we have is that because the main thermostat is in our main bedroom for the upstairs zone, our body heat can maintain the room temperature at night, meaning that stat never drops below the set point and the heating stays off. This means that the other bedrooms cool down considerably more, which is not ideal for the toddlers bedroom.
So my questions are:
- Can I easily replace the existing thermostats with digital versions assuming they are more accurate? E.g. straight swap with EPH digital stats
- Can we easily move the upstairs stat (wired or wirelss) to another room and replace it with a TRV in the main room? I'm fairly handy but I won't touch plumbing
- Are there better systems for controlling (like Nest or Hive) and would these integrate with the existing controller or should I switch that out as well?
The house is set up with 2 heating zones, upstairs and downstairs, with water controlled separately by the HP controller. Stats are in the sitting room and main bedroom, all other rooms have TRV valves on the rads. As with most HP setups, the system is 'on' all day and the stats control and maintain a steady temperature as they kick in/out.
My problem is with the thermostats that were installed. They are very basic EPH CM 2's with an R27 controller. They are not particularly accurate but I have managed to set them as low as possible through trial and error. The downstairs is set at ~19 °C but really it maintains a 21/22 °C room temperature. Similarly, upstairs is set at 16 °C but maintains 20-22 °C. They are both positioned in suitable positions away from sunlight, draughts and the rads themselves so position is not a problem
I wouldn't mind the offset between the set/actual temperature but my problem is that if I reduce the stats any further they will just stay off and won't heat at all. The house is either at a very comfortable 21/22°C or it cools down well below this. I'd like to be able to maintain a steady 20°C
One further issue we have is that because the main thermostat is in our main bedroom for the upstairs zone, our body heat can maintain the room temperature at night, meaning that stat never drops below the set point and the heating stays off. This means that the other bedrooms cool down considerably more, which is not ideal for the toddlers bedroom.
So my questions are:
- Can I easily replace the existing thermostats with digital versions assuming they are more accurate? E.g. straight swap with EPH digital stats
- Can we easily move the upstairs stat (wired or wirelss) to another room and replace it with a TRV in the main room? I'm fairly handy but I won't touch plumbing
- Are there better systems for controlling (like Nest or Hive) and would these integrate with the existing controller or should I switch that out as well?