| High energy costs necessitate
the most efficient use of heating in domestic environments,
saving on both household expenditure and valuable energy resources.
And nothing is more wasteful than heating rooms and areas that
are little used or only in use at specific times of the day
or night.
Thermostatic radiator valves were once the preferred option
but creating heating zones with individual time and temperature
control options is now the preferred method, as recommended
in the latest Domestic Heating Compliance Guide.
In the Guide there is second tier guidance that requires
not only heating zones that exceed 150²m to have independent
time and temperature control but now also includes the hot
water zones. These currently apply to new build domestic dwellings.
With its ChannelPlus H37XL (three channel) and H47XL (four
channel) electronic programmers Horstmann Controls offers
the UK’s only programmers with the capability to individually
control 3 or 4 zones independently of each other.
Both programmers have recently been completely re-designed
using Horstmann Controls’ AS (Advanced Simplicity) design
parameters. They feature an easily read, bright blue back
lit LCD display and menu driven programming. There is also
an automatic clock that is factory pre-set and automatically
adjusts between BST and GMT.
In a typical scenario, effective zoning means that temperatures
in the sleeping areas can be maintained at different levels
and for different periods of time than those of the living
zones. Hot water control is completely independent of both
and with the four channel version there is even the option
to control under floor heating independently of the space
heating.
The ChannelPlus H37 XL programmer offers 7 day programming,
up to three on/off periods in each 24 hours and the option
for different settings on each day of the week over 3 channels.
General programme options include auto, all day, on constant,
off constant and a holiday feature to suspend the programme
for up to 30 days.
The new H47XL has the functionality of four independent 7
day timers each giving up to 3 ‘on’ and ‘off’
functions per day in a single unit. Unlike other four channel
devices on the market, this user friendly programmer has been
designed for domestic use, providing advanced, easily programmed
features rather than ‘time switch’ features more
suited to industrial applications.
Very compact and simple to install, the ChannelPlus XL’s
offer multi channel capabilities from a single, centrally
positioned programmer, doing away with the need for multiple
heating programmers or room thermostats where it is necessary
to go to the zone to undertake a temperature adjustment.
From the installer viewpoint standard back plates coupled
with the automatic clock and simplicity of programming ensure
ease of installation and commissioning in all applications.
“The latest regulations dictate that larger houses
should have the heating controlled separately - time and temperature
- for upstairs and downstairs and have the hot water controlled
independently of both,” explains Horstmann Controls’
sales manager Paul Lovegrove.
“Such a control requirement is beyond the capabilities
of a single, conventional heating and hot water programmer
and this is where the ChannelPlus XL models come into their
own.
“Additionally, the new regulations require that replacement
boilers must be replaced with energy efficient models and
controls must be also upgraded
to meet minimum system standards details of which can be found
on the heatingcontrols.org.uk web site which is TACMA sponsored.
“The publication ‘Domestic Heating and Hot Water
Guide to the Building Regulations’ provides comprehensive
details of control specifications for specific applications,”
he concludes.
For information about Horstmann Controls and its extensive
range of products visit www.horstmann.co.uk
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