What's things needed to control heating

[Gavin]

Hi,

I'm planning on making a switch from my current setup which uses Tado to using Loxone to control my heating. I'm planning on getting a miniserver go and a temperature sensor but can someone help me with what I need to connect the boiler to the miniserver? My boiler is not a new boiler so cannot communicate with system. Would I need something like the air base extension?

Many thanks.

[Martyn]

Your boiler will likely just need a switched signal (one miniserver relay) if its a combi the pump will be internal so no need to worry about that, if its a system or conventinal the pump may be external, in any case better to let the boiler control the pump (unless you have good reason not too)

You will also need a relay for each motorised valve (if you have them)

No need for Air, you could control most heating systems with just a miniserver.

[DavidL]

Hi Gavin,

If you intend to go down the Miniserver Go route, you may find it a little tricky to implement without purchasing additional equipment.

As the Miniserver Go has no inputs or outputs (outside of the air functionality), you will need to most likely also purchase a Multi Extension Air; These are not cheap, at almost the same cost as a Miniserver.

You would then be able to wire in the switched output to the boiler that tells it to turn on and off.

If you have the ability to go for the Miniserver, instead of the Go, I would suggest that instead. You would need to pick up a 1-wire extension too, so that you're able to undertake temperature readings. This may work out more cost effective than the Miniserver Go route.

If you plan to do this yourself, make sure you're competent and understand the wiring and programming that will be needed.

David

[Simon Still]

On Sunday, 18 February 2018 10:09:28 UTC, Gavin wrote:

I'm planning on making a switch from my current setup which uses Tado to using Loxone to control my heating. I'm planning on getting a miniserver go and a temperature sensor but can someone help me with what I need to connect the boiler to the miniserver? My boiler is not a new boiler so cannot communicate with system. Would I need something like the air base extension?

Out of interest why do you want to move away from Tado?  I have a friend who was talking about installing it recently.

[Gavin]

Thanks David. I'm not able to rewire the power that tells the boiler to turn on and off so I was hoping I could add a switch which is activated remotely using the Miniserver Go. Due to the nature of my goals I only plan to retrofit any sensors and switches, it's a trial of sorts.

The boiler is a really old boiler, it's gravity fed and uses a pump for the heating and heats the hot water up at the same time. Currently there is a device attached to the junction box to the boiler that turns the boiler on and off depending on when the thermostat drops.

With this in mind could I use a Nano IO Air to turn the boiler on and off? I would then also purchase a Motion Sensor Air and a Temperature & Humidity Sensor Air.

Thanks also for the advice about being sure I'm confident about the wiring and the programming.

[Gavin]

I've had my Tado system for a few years now but everytime I leave the house for a long period of time (two days or more), by the time I arrive home the house is cold and I have no hot water. It's happened twice every 2 months ever since I've owned it and I've tried moving the devices to different locations to see if it improves the signal but I'm convinced there is a fault with the equipment. Tado refuse to acknowledge that there is a problem with the devices but have reluctantly agreed to refund the system if I return it within 14 days.

As I want to use Loxone at some point for a new build I thought perhaps I could trial retro fitting it to my current house. Alternatively I will just take the easier and cheaper route and install a Nest thermostat. One feature I like about both Nest and Tado is that is can warm up your house just before you arrive home and I don't think Loxone can do that but someone correct me if I'm wrong. The heating control options in Loxone look better than Nest and Tado in my opinion.

[Simon Still]

On Monday, 19 February 2018 10:16:25 UTC, Gavin wrote:

As I want to use Loxone at some point for a new build I thought perhaps I could trial retro fitting it to my current house. Alternatively I will just take the easier and cheaper route and install a Nest thermostat. One feature I like about both Nest and Tado is that is can warm up your house just before you arrive home and I don't think Loxone can do that but someone correct me if I'm wrong. The heating control options in Loxone look better than Nest and Tado in my opinion.

You can set up 'out of home' access with Loxone that would let you use the app to switch on/turn up your heating before you arrive home.  

That combination of Loxone parts should do what you want - I'm assuming that you plan to use the motion sensor in some way to detect when anyone is home? 

I recently installed a Nest in my mother's house.  What surprised me a little is that Nest is designed around you turning the heating target temperature up and down - it learns what temp you want at different times of day and then creates that as an auto schedule.  I turned all that functionality off, set up a schedule manually, and left it so 'locked' so that my mother could only alter temp within a tight range (and it would then override to schedule at night and in the morning).  My intention was to stop her waking up to a cold house. 

[DavidL]

Apologies, I forgot about the Nano IO Air product. That would do the job. You could even use the digital inputs on that to implement a more cost effective movement sensor over the costly motion sensor air.

The Loxone intelligent room controller learns over a period of time how long your room/house takes to warm up. So for instance, if you use the schedule inside that for heating between 7am-9am, it will ensure the boiler is switched on so that the room is at temperature for 7am. I'm led to believe its constantly learning, so as you get closer to the warmer months, it will adapt and only turn the boiler on when required.

David