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Winter is almost here, are you prepared? It is important to ensure that your central heating system is up to par. An enjoyable holiday season is only possible if all parts of the system are operating properly. There are a few problems that can, and usually do, occur at the most inconvenient of times. Frost damage is a frequent occurrence that can harm both boilers and pipes.

In previous years, the central heating system was designed with the frost thermostat located near the boiler. Its job was to start the boiler when the air temperature dropped and stop the boiler when the air temperature reached an acceptable level. If the thermostat detected excessive heat escaping from the boiler or surrounding pipes it quickly turned off the system, in order to conserve energy and prevent excessive heating of the home.

A new development in insulation materials for central heating systems has made the frost thermostat’s job much more challenging. Modern boilers and pipes are much more insulated than their older counterparts. Energy conservation was the goal of this alteration; unfortunately the problem of overheating persists. The frost thermostat is no longer able to detect changes in temperature accurately. As such, overheating and energy waste continue to occur.

Installing a pipe thermostat can solve this problem. A pipe thermostat is typically placed on the outside of the boiler return pipe, measuring the temperature of the pipe (assuming copper pipes are good heat conductive materials). Its purpose is to turn off the boiler before overheating occurs. There are several new products that contain both a frost thermostat and low limit pipe thermostat, providing standard room temperature setting capabilities along with frost protection capabilities.

The new thermostats are easy to install and set up. Complete installation and wiring guidelines are all contained in one box making it simple for the installer. The frost thermostat is set to a typical temperature of 5C and the pipe thermostat is put to a typical temperature of 25C. Extra frost thermostats can also be installed to provide complete defence, if the pipes are exposed further around the property (e.g. in a shed, in a garage etc.).

Sometimes, a pipe thermostat is not the best solution for your individual needs. Another product that could prove useful is the fully programmable room thermostat. This can be installed in a number of locations throughout the home, including the living room or hallway. They serve to record and monitor the room temperature and are very easy to install. Modern room thermostat models operate by RF, or Radio Frequency. A radio signal is sent from the thermostat to the boiler eliminating the need for wiring.

Thermostats are an important element of your home heating system but, there are other variables that impact your heating efficiency. By sectioning the home off into zones, waste can be avoided. The use of zones, allows you to focus the heat where you need it most. More populated areas can be kept warmer than empty rooms that do not require as much heating. This minor change can produce great results. Not only will heating bills be lower but, system efficiency will be greatly improved.

Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about efficient heating, boiler, plumber Sunderland, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.

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