The thermostat for underfloor heating controls the heating mode. In a simple system, you can do without it if the temperature of the coolant at the inlet does not exceed 50 0 C. In most cases, the boiler of a private house heats the water much more and here a thermostat (thermostat) is necessary to prevent excessive heat and overheating of the room.
The basic principle of its operation is to turn off the heating as soon as the floor or room temperature reaches a certain value. After the floor has cooled slightly, heating starts again.
Features of the operation of devices
Thermostats are of the following types.
- Programmable - for executing programs of different difficulty levels. With their help, you can set the temperature in the rooms, change it at different times of the day depending on the needs and in order to save. Adjustment is made by touch buttons. The cost of such devices is the highest, but eventually pays off due to energy savings.
- With manual installation and rotation of the knob. The device is characterized by simplicity and reliability, but it has much less functions.
- Digital control - temperature is set by pressing a button.
The thermostat for underfloor heating can be placed in an open way when its body is attached to the wall. It can also be hidden in the recess of the wall, where the rest of the heating equipment is located.
The device can be with manual or automatic control. In the first case, the floor temperature is set by turning the dial with the scale. The method is not very convenient, since constant monitoring and manual adjustment from the influence of external factors are required. Turning off the underfloor heating when reaching the set temperature occurs, but not very accurately.
Automation produces continuous monitoring and regulation. Parameters are configured on the touch panel or from the remote control.
The thermostat for a warm floor (water) works only in conjunction with temperature sensors and a servo drive, where the functions are distributed as follows:
- The sensors are located in the floor screed, the most convenient place in the room, the thermostat housing or are used simultaneously. They transmit signals about the value of temperature via wires or radio. Sensors are simple, infrared, remote or dual (simultaneous measurement of room temperature and flooring).
- The thermostat processes the data and commands to open or close the hot water supply.
- Servo drives change the flow rate through the control valves.
Installation of the thermostat with underfloor heating system
The connection diagram for a hydraulic underfloor heating thermostat requires the installation of all the necessary elements.
- A temperature sensor is installed. It can be placed in a screed. It is also convenient to place it next to the regulator in order to reduce the influence of inertia of the warm floor. The wall should be without heating, as in this case the system will not work correctly.
- A servo drive is installed in the heating system, which is responsible for supplying warm water to the circuits. It is a thermal head screwed onto a control valve (two- or three-way) or connected to the supply manifold circuit. Inside it is a bellows filled with a heat-sensitive liquid. The signal of the temperature sensor closes the heating circuit with thermostat contacts. This includes elements located around the bellows. The fluid expands and the coolant flow is shut off.
- After all connections, the circuit is configured for a specific mode.
Comparison of temperature controllers
The thermostat for a warm floor is primarily chosen depending on the price, the functions performed and the ease of use. Simple and inexpensive mechanical type devices are produced by the German company Eberle. More expensive controllers with programming functions are also produced by German companies Legrand, Kermi, etc. They can also find devices easier and cheaper. How to connect the thermostat Kermi, Devireg, Teplolux, Dzhitar, and many others to the underfloor heating depends on the model chosen. In the instructions for installation and operation, everything is described step by step and you should only follow the instructions. There are no special differences in configuration.
It is advisable to purchase a mixing unit with a built-in thermostat that controls the temperature of the coolant by mixing the flows of hot and return water. It is used for large systems. If there is only one or two circuits, this is not necessary and the circuit can be easily adjusted manually.
Conclusion
The thermostat for underfloor heating should be selected and connected depending on the system used. It works in conjunction with temperature sensors and a servo drive. When installing simple systems, you can do the work yourself. Complex circuits are assembled and configured by specialists.