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Programmable Thermostats

Stuart_2
Stuart_2 Member Posts: 1
in THE MAIN WALL
Does it make any sense in a one pipe steam system to use a programmable thermostat and throttle temperature back at night and up in the a.m.? I'm thinking of not setting back because it takes so long for air to clear the system ti may be counterproductive. Any thoughts

Comments

  • ta finnegan
    ta finnegan Member Posts: 121
    Programmable T-stats.

    I never have much success with the set-backs for steam system. Look closely at the manual that came with the stat for the cycle time, you may want to lengthen the time for each cycle as these are usually made for high-efficiency furnaces that cycle many more times per hour.

    You are always better finding a temp that everybody can live with and keeping it there. Heating up the thermal mass of the house an hour before you come home and an hour before you wake up can eat up $$.

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  • BillW@honeywell
    BillW@honeywell Member Posts: 1,099
    Programmable stat

    Take a look at either the Honeywell T8002C1018 or any of the T8600 Chronotherm 4's, although I prefer the T8602 battery-powered model for steam. Both can be set for 1 CPH for use with steam systems, out of the box, they are set for 6 CPH; just go into the "installer set-up" mode to change. Some steam systems may need to run at 3 CPH, a lot depends on insulation, windows, house tightness, radiator size, etc. The T8002 is a basic, low cost product, and the T8602 is a full featured product that includes an automatic program called "Adaptive Intelligent Recovery". The stat "remembers" what the temperatures were for the past 3 days, and gradually ramps the temperature up to be at the comfort set point when the wake or return period starts. Other stats just take the system out of setback at a set time, and may cause lag in a steam system. These are available from any Honeywell distributor, or through your heatig/cooling contractor. Visit www.honeywell.com/yourhome for more info.
  • George Berkeley
    George Berkeley Member Posts: 40
    PC8900

    I have installed several PC8900 units and have one on my own home steam system.

    I think they make a lot of sense, and work well with steam when installed correctly. Link it to a central A/C system and you have a real winner during the heating season by using the A/C fan.

    I get a few calls from time to time on the steps to program it, but never a call back or a complaint.
  • Mike Taala
    Mike Taala Member Posts: 1
    Set back with steam systems?

    > Does it make any sense in a one pipe steam system

    > to use a programmable thermostat and throttle

    > temperature back at night and up in the a.m.?

    > I'm thinking of not setting back because it takes

    > so long for air to clear the system ti may be

    > counterproductive. Any thoughts



    I have heard many such comments as these asking whether it is right to set back or maintain temperature. The simple truth is of course it is right to set back. Besides using up valuable energy resources, it costs money to maintain comfort temperatures, why spend your money when you are not there to enjoy it.

    So set back and save money.

    The trick is in choosing a thermostat that can control steam, (or any other system) properly.

    Thermostats like the Danfoss 8000 series use microprocessor controlled P+I logic, the name is fancy, but using them is simplicity itself.
    After installing the thermostat, the microprocessor quickly adapts itself to the type of system it is controlling. There is no need to worry about correct CPH, or anything else for that matter, because the thermostat does not cycle the system unless it is up to temperature and right to do so. It will even work out the best time to turn the system back on for you in the morning.
    Thermostats are like most things, buy the best to begin with and you won't regret it.
  • BillW@honeywell
    BillW@honeywell Member Posts: 1,099


    Thanks! I agree...especially if he has AC or other accessories.
  • jim_14
    jim_14 Member Posts: 271


    where can one buy one of those Danfoss 8000? Is there a website that sells em?
  • Craig_2
    Craig_2 Member Posts: 41
    Bill, I have a...

    Honeywell CT3600 that I bought a couple years ago at a "50% of everything you can fit in this bag" sale. I've always been a little afraid to install it for my Trane 2-pipe steam system (gas fired). Of course, this product is not in the current Honeywell offerings. Can you confirm this is the one I want? I'm searching the Honeywell site now but I can't find anything that says, "Hey, steam homeowner, buy this one!" :-)

    -cf
  • David Efflandt
    David Efflandt Member Posts: 152
    CT3600 is still around

    This last fall I put a CT3500 on my 1-pipe steam, so unless the 3600 was discontinued recently it should still be around. It can likewise be set 1 CPH for gravity/steam systems and recovers gradually before set up time.

    But my boiler is double my EDR, so it cycles on pressure every couple minutes after awhile. So I use the setback mostly in mild weather when it doesn't hardly run day or night, just morning and evening.

    Its room temp indication is overly optimistic (rounded towards setpoint), but generally keeps actual temp within 1 degree F (RobertShaw without anticipator had 2 degree spread plus 1 degree overshoot).
  • David Efflandt
    David Efflandt Member Posts: 152
    CT3600 is still around

    This last fall I put a CT3500 on my 1-pipe gas steam, so unless the 3600 was discontinued recently it should still be around. It can likewise be set 1 CPH for gravity/steam systems and recovers gradually before set up time.

    But my boiler is double my EDR, so it cycles on pressure every couple minutes after awhile. So I use the setback mostly in mild weather when it doesn't hardly run day or night, just morning and evening.

    Its room temp indication is overly optimistic (rounded towards setpoint), but generally keeps actual temp within 1 degree F (RobertShaw without anticipator had 2 degree spread plus 1-2 degree overshoot).

    If you already have it, why not try it?
  • David Efflandt
    David Efflandt Member Posts: 152
    CT3600 is still around

    This last fall I put a CT3500 on my 1-pipe gas steam, so unless the 3600 was discontinued recently it should still be around. It can likewise be set 1 CPH for gravity/steam systems and recovers gradually before set up time.

    But my boiler is double my EDR, so it cycles on pressure every couple minutes after awhile. So I use the setback mostly in mild weather when it doesn't hardly run day or night, just morning and evening.

    Its room temp indication is overly optimistic (rounded towards setpoint), but generally keeps actual temp within 1 degree F (RobertShaw without anticipator had 2 degree spread plus 1-2 degree overshoot).

    If you already have it, why not try it?
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