To prevent overheating and high loads, special devices are installed on the boiler equipment. These are thermostats for gas boilers. In today's article we will try to tell you in detail about this detail, and also consider its design and purpose.
What is it for?
During operation, the boiler heats the water in the system, after which it moves along the radiators. And if the liquid pressure level or its temperature exceeds the norm, after a while an accident will occur in the system. So, so that the system does not undergo frequent overheating, it is understaffed with thermostats. Often, several parts are used indoors. Thermostats for gas boilers are mounted at their outlet, as well as on each battery. This is necessary in order to control the temperature of the heating fluid.
It is worth noting that gas equipment is a subject of increased danger. In case of improper operation, burners cannot burn fuel properly, which is why gas fills the combustion chamber, increasing the risk of explosion and fire. As a result, the boiler overheats, and the water in the system is converted to steam (in this case, the pressure on the pipes increases several times). Of course, modern boilers are able to turn off during significant overheating, as their design provides special sensors. But, as practice has shown, when the temperature rises too quickly and somewhere far from the heating element, they are not able to respond to these changes in time. As a result, the system overheats. Under such circumstances, only a local fuse helps, that is, a thermostat for a gas boiler. It sends a signal in seconds, so you can not worry about the risk of overheating the system.
Design and principle of operation
What are these elements made of? The temperature regulator (for the AOGV gas boiler as well) consists of several metal bands. The latter have different linear expansion coefficients. These stripes act as the electrical contact of the switch in the heating circuit. Due to the difference in the coefficient of the two metals, they are deformed, after which the chain is broken. Steel strips are in contact with the valve closing mechanism. When the temperature rises above the rated contact lowers. Further, at the valve level, access to water, steam and gas is blocked. Thus, the operation of the boiler is stopped, and the radiators cool naturally, by exchanging heat with the air in the room.
What happens next? After the steam / water temperature drops to the normal level, the thermostat will open the valves and resume the operation of the boiler. Please note that with frequent overheating of the system, the design of valves and fuses may be impaired. Therefore, after each such situation, it is necessary to check the integrity of important mechanisms.
As you can see, the remote thermostat for a gas boiler has the same principle of operation as a car thermostat - as soon as the temperature rises, a special valve opens in the system and the fluid is pumped in a large circle. True, in the case of a machine, the sensor is not able to turn off the internal combustion engine.
Varieties
When buying this element, it is important to consider a number of parameters and characteristics of the particular heating system that is used in your room. Below we will consider what thermostats for gas boilers exist and how each of these types is characterized.
Indoor
This type of thermostat works exclusively with free air flow. That is, there should not be any elements near it that block air circulation. It can be a curtain, a cupboard or other furniture located next to a heat source (heating radiator). This is the most popular thermostat for a gas boiler (including Beretta). These devices can also be used for heated towel rails.
A room thermostat is a device that regulates the operation of the boiler depending on the current room temperature. That is, the sensor does not work taking into account the heating of water in the tubes. Thus:
- The heater (in our case it is a gas boiler) in the absence of an installed thermostat turns on and off depending on the temperature of the water.
- A heater with a room thermostat operates depending on the heating of the air in the room.
That is why the temperature regulators for gas boilers are not recommended to be closed with any decorative covers, forced to furniture and other things. By the way, this type of device is equipped with a convenient digital display and can be programmed at the touch of a button.
TRV
This abbreviation hides a special type of element - thermostatic valves. These devices do not directly control the boiler. In their structure, they only reduce the flow of water going through the battery, and only if the temperature rises above normal. Most often, the expansion valves are mounted in places where the water pressure level is the lowest. Thermostatic valves of this type, as well as room valves , are not recommended for installation under covers and other design devices. The fact is that if there is a violation of the air circulation in the room, the device will not measure the exact level of heating of the system, accordingly, it will be useless in your home.
Remote controllers
Experts recommend installing zone remote controllers together with thermostatic valves. These devices will help to control the temperature in the room or in a separate section of the room using infrared rays. As soon as the system starts to boil, the sensors will transmit a signal to the boiler or the regulator valve, after which the heater will stop working.
Cylinder thermostat
This type of device is recommended to be installed if a 2-circuit boiler is installed in the room. At the outlet of the system, water reaches very high temperatures (more than 80 degrees), and in order to prevent deformation of the pipes and their leakage, such liquid regulators are mounted before going to the battery. It is worth noting that the cylinder thermostat is fully programmable. This means that the owner can independently set the temperature at which the boiler will turn off for a certain time. Most of these regulators are adjustable in the range of 60 degrees Celsius.
Smart thermostats for gas boilers
These devices by their operating principle are very similar to direct-acting water regulators. They also monitor the status of the system from the command unit and, if necessary, turn off the boiler until the liquid temperature stabilizes. In addition, “smart” thermostats are able to turn off boiler equipment, controlling also the amount of hot water pumped in the pipes. In the event of an emergency, the electronics respond quickly and shut off the valves in the system. This type of device can be either digital or electronic. The latter consist of several components - a display, a board and contacts.
How to install?
Judging by the reviews, it is quite realistic to install a programmable thermostat for a gas boiler in a room with your own hands. And it doesn’t matter, the device is installed on metal, cast-iron or aluminum batteries - the whole process is similar and requires a minimum of tools.
So, how to properly turn on the regulator in the heating system? The first step is to drain the water from the pipes. So we will discharge the central heating system. Most often, this requires opening one valve located at the water inlet to the system. Then the pipes are blown and the adapter is unscrewed. How to do it? In order to disconnect the adapter, it is necessary to perform several manipulations.
- Put a lot of pieces of rags. It can be rags or towels. It is important that they all consist of terry or cotton - so more water is absorbed into them. Alternatively, you can use an ordinary sheet of paper or cardboard.
- Press down the old valve body with an adjustable wrench. A second key is needed to loosen the nuts that hold the valve on the pipe and adapter. Then we boldly remove the mechanism from the radiator. In some cases, it is necessary to use a battery valve that is integrated inside the radiator.
At the next stage, a new device is mounted. Before installation, it is important to thoroughly clean the internal thread. A piece of clean cloth is best for this. After the thread is wrapped in a special locking tape (white strip) clockwise. It is recommended to smooth it after each new turn. Then the screw element is connected with the corner gaskets.
At installation it is necessary to replace a blind nut, and also an old steel collar from a copper pipe. If the latter does not slip, carefully and accurately cut out its parts and tear them apart using a compact screwdriver.
After the temperature regulator for the gas boiler is installed (you can see the photo of the finished element in working condition below), you need to tighten the nut that is between the adapter and the valve. The latter should be held with an adjustable wrench. It is important not to overtighten the thread, otherwise the system may be depressurized.
Next, a replacement protection system is installed. For this, the pipes are again filled with water. After the system is completely filled with liquid, check all joints for leaks. If the valve is in a large room (such as a living room), it is left fully open. In the case of a small room (kitchen or nursery), you need to close it halfway.
Room thermostat for a gas boiler: operating rules
Reviews say that when regulators work, it is important to prevent even the slightest damage. Any deformation or shock can damage the delicate parts of the device and sensors. Also, when the heating system is operating (if several thermostats are installed in the house), it is recommended to close the doors in each of the rooms. This is necessary in order to reduce the attempts of interior batteries to compensate for heat. In addition, try to set different settings on the thermostats, that is, for each room a separate temperature for opening and closing the valves.
Prices
How much does the thermostat cost? For a Baxi gas boiler, this part is sold at a price from one and a half to two thousand rubles per unit of goods. As you can see, the price is very high for such a small device. However, do not forget that it is this insignificant detail that can play a decisive role in ensuring the safety of your home, stopping the operation of the boiler in time with a sudden sharp increase in temperature.
Manufacturers
The reviews of people claim that the following companies make the most high-quality and reliable thermostats for gas heating boilers:
- "Overtrop".
- "Monolith".
- Danfoss.
- "Valtek".
- "Vitek."
- Corado.
- "Rifar."
- "Global".
- "RTD".
- Kermi.
The reviews also mean that Russian manufacturers also make very good thermostats, which are not inferior in quality to their German counterparts.
So, we found out what a room thermostat is for a gas boiler, what it consists of and how it works.