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Keeping It Simple |
Horstmann Controls believes
its new 'AS' technology approach to product design will revolutionise
the way central heating controls look and operate.
"Our designers took a step back from their traditional approach
and thought, 'let's look at this from the user viewpoint'.
And by and large, they decided that programmers were simply
too complicated for many people to operate correctly. It was
time for a change."
This is the claim of Paul Lovegrove, national sales manager
of Bristol based Horstmann Controls who, using the principles
of their AS Technology concept, have now developed a completely
new range of ThermoPlus programmable room controls that break
new ground for their ease and simplicity of use.
The new 'stats, which are suited to both new build installations
or replacement of older style electro-mechanical thermostats,
will find a range of applications in areas such as local authority
housing, housing associations and social housing.
But while products for these applications might at first appear
to need special consideration, Paul Lovegrove believes that
the concept of ease-of-use coupled with advanced control features
can be applied elsewhere
"The brief was to put all of our design and engineering expertise
into developing a truly user friendly controller rather than
providing more and more clever features," he explains.
"We took into account industry views and those of respected
bodies such as Ricability, DEFRA, NEA and of course our installers.
The response was overwhelmingly supportive.
"Among the features the design team eliminated were complex
appearance and layout, programming complexity, unnecessary
user options, multi-purpose buttons, poor display visibility
and over-complicated instructions.
"We developed the ThermoPlus range mindful of the application.
But even on our more sophisticated programmer ranges, user
friendliness has been a major consideration. In the autumn
we will be unveiling a completely upgraded ChannelPlus XL
electronic programmer range with a range of new features,"
Paul Lovegrove adds.
"While not revealing our hand too much in advance of the launch,
I can advise that among the new features will be a brighter,
turquoise back-lit digital display offering greater clarity
and improved presentation of data.
"In addition, the range now offers menu driven programming,
an automatic clock which does not require a set-up and which
automatically adjusts to winter and summer time changes and
a battery back-up."
But it is in the ThermoPlus range that ease of use predominates.
Features such as a colour coded, bright LED warm/cool display,
automatic winter and summer time change, frost protection
and Braille markings for selecting warm/cool settings are
all designed to enable the user to clearly understand and
alter the settings correctly.
In effect, there are three buttons for everyday use; A Plus
(+) button to increase temperature, a minus (-) to decrease
and a central 'change' button with Braille markings for warm/cool.
As alterations are made the LED display increase or decreases
its red block marks or, when cooler it changes to blue.
There is also a hypothermia protection feature which prevents
the room temperature from dropping below 15ºC as well
as a button operated stand-by mode to activate frost protection
(5º to 10º).
Each of the three ThermoPlus 'stats features 5 pre-installed
heating profiles from which the installer can easily select
the preferred programme.
There are three models in the new range:-
The ThermoPlus AS1 is mains powered and offers simple
three button operation. It has factory pre-set heating profiles
and pre-set clock with battery back up. In addition to the
features already mentioned, the AS1 also provides an audible
and tactile feedback.
The ThermoPlus AS2 has all of the AS1's features but
is a battery powered model. It features three standard AA
batteries with at least a 2 year battery life and a separate
clock power back-up.
Finally, the ThermoPlus PRT1 has been especially designed
for vulnerable/older users. It is mains powered and requires
an all-installer set-up to agreed parameters. It also features
a 15º cool setting provide hypothermia protection.
"The AS designation stands for 'advanced simplicity' and this
has been integral to the design," adds Paul Lovegrove.
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