Hot water cylinder smart thermostat

[Michael Groves]

I’m looking for a Hot Water Cylinder Smart Thermostat. But I want to be able to monitor the tank temperature over time so I can see when the hot water is being drawn off and how quickly it recovers. So maybe recording the temperature every 5 minutes and saving this data.

Does such a thing exist?

 

[chris watkins]

I haven't seen one, sounds more like a data logger more than a thermostat.
Can one ask why you want such a beast Michael ?

 

[Riley]

Yes I agree

 

[chris watkins]

WiFi Logger ThermaData TD1F - two channel thermistor logger with internal sensor & remote probe
Maybe something like this would work ?

 

[Michael Groves]

WiFi Logger ThermaData TD1F - two channel thermistor logger with internal sensor & remote probe
Maybe something like this would work ?

Perfect, I had not even considered this. I was fixed on a smart thermostat.

I have a 300L unvented cylinder, this serves 6 tenants, 2 showers. It has a secondary return and tank heated 24/7 by 20kw boiler. Until recently it’s never run out. But in the last 2 weeks we’ve run out of water twice.
Before even considering upgrading I want to understand what’s going on.

 

[SimonG]

When was it last serviced?

 

[Michael Groves]

When was it last serviced?

It’s a new install, installed December 2017. What would need to be serviced?

Bit more info, it has a 19kw heat exchanger, reheat time 45 minutes.

 

[chris watkins]

Safety valves discharging ?
Heating on at the same time as the HW?
Don't ever be tempted to replace/remove/disconnect the unvented thermostats & fit another type of stat, as that would not be a very "SMART" thing to do!!!!
I have seen it done with the rush for so called smart controls & it could be very dangerous. Get a G3 plumbing in to take a look might save yourself £100.

 

[SimonG]

It’s a new install, installed December 2017. What would need to be serviced?

Bit more info, it has a 19kw heat exchanger, reheat time 45 minutes.

Boiler and cylinder, annually.

 

[chris watkins]

It’s a new install, installed December 2017. What would need to be serviced?

It is an unvented cylinder servicing a tenanted property of course it needs servicing, did you not read the manufacturers instructions ?

 

[SimonG]

Any pics of the install?

 

[Michael Groves]

It is an unvented cylinder servicing a tenanted property of course it needs servicing, did you not read the manufacturers instructions ?

I deserved that, it was a bit of a dump response. Boiler serviced yearly, I was referring to cylinder but did not make it clear.

I did not get cylinder serviced, I’ll ask plumber about that tomorrow.

Glad you commented about not changing thermostat. I’ll also mention this.

I’ll see if I can find a picture tomorrow.

I still like the external data logger idea.

 

[Chalked]

I had one last week.
Complaining of lack of hot water and not hot enough.
It was the prv passing, so was like a tap running all the time.

 

[chris watkins]

Ask to see there G3 ticket please, to work on them they must have one.
What area of Kent are you Michael ?

 

[Michael Groves]

He’s defo G3, either going on refresher course shortly or just been on it. Albeit how can you check, is there a register like Gas safe?
It’s in Hastings.

 

[Riley]

Likely it’ll be on their gas safe card

 

[Michael Groves]

My G3 plumber is not gas safe.

 

[chris watkins]

Hastings too far for us , unfortunately no register, there perhaps should be.
Problem is always those that install don't always know how to repair or even sometimes service them. I take it, it was notified to local BC.
Ask for a copy of their G3 / unvented Certificate, they shouldn't mind & at least you will be covered if there are any problems.

 

[Michael Groves]

I know the boiler was registered with BC, not sure about cylinder, is that a requirement?
Shame about the register, that does sound like an oversight by our government.
How often do you need to refresh your G3 to stay compliant?

 

[Riley]

Every 5 years. And they will have an ID card and cert

 

[Michael Groves]

I asked my plumber about servicing cylinder, he was hell yeah, you need to check this n that and that n this. Made sense having spoken to him. He said look at back of booklet got with cylinder, need to dig this out.
I also took a photo

 

[Riley]

Looks to need some D1 discharge reposing as it’s not to spec

 

[Michael Groves]

What does that mean, I asume 3 no. 15mm into 1 no. 22mm does not comply, am I correct, if so why not?

 

[Riley]

500mm max before it passes through tundish

 

[Michael Groves]

500mm max before it passes through tundish

Tundish is behind immersion heater, zoom in, you can just see bottom below immersion. I’ll measure runs. But otherwise is it okay?