Programmable Thermostats

Jbaha14

Earlier this year prior to reading anything about steam heat, I installed a programmable thermostat. As I was reading Dan's book titled "We Got Steam Heat" I found out that these may not be best b/c they allow the pipes to get too cold when they are off.

I started searching around and found that Honeywell makes two models (RTH7400D and RTH7500D) that they say work with steam heat.

Has anybody heard of or used these thermostats? If so, would they be ok to use? I have basically followed Dan's book to a T and found that all of his suggestions work. I have been able to go from basically no heat to a heated home in about 25 minutes. He mentions that it should take 20 minutes to heat a house to a cozy feel, and I'm wondering if the 5 minutes I'm losing is b/c the pipes are cold and the t stat is the fault.

Thank you to anybody that respons to this request.

Jason

Steve_35

You can use a programmable t-stat. Just leave it at the same temp all the time.

Al Letellier

programmable stats on steam.

OK to use them, but don't use power robbing stats. Make sure it has battery power if a digital, cause the cad cell control loses power during low water cut-off and if you have an electronic feeder, you could go without power for whatever the delay is, and a repeat low water problem can make the stat off by a lot over time. The stats you mentioned are OK for this application.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Susan_6

Tell me more about this! Should I toss out my Home Depot special thermostat? There are lots of thermostats out there, how do I know if they will work with steam heat or not?

Thanks.

Mark K

RE: Steam thermostats

Hi,

You should stick with Honeywell thermostats for a steam system. I bought the Chronotherm IV at Home Depot, and it is compatible with Steam systems. The Rite Temp models that Home Depot sells, I don't think they would work with Steam.

On the Honeywell site, it lists what heating systems the thermostats are compatible with.

They have a newer version now, called the Vision Pro, which is sold only through contractors, I believe. Anyhow, check http://www.honeywell.com/yourhome to look at the different models.

BillW@honeywell

Hi, Jason & Susan...

The stats you have are from our retail division, and don't have all the features that the Trade Products from you local HVAC pro have. The VisionPro is our touch-screen 7-day, 4 period/day programmable . It's battery powered, and I recommend battery powered stats for steam. The FocusPro is non-programmable, and is also battery powered and fully comaptible with steam systems. Your installer will set them to 1 cycle per hour for your steam system. Setback on steam systems is controversial, but it can be done on 2 pipe systems, but on one pipe systems, it may not be effective. Check out the stats at www.customer.honeywell.com, just follow the prompts. Check the "Find a Contractor" feature above, or check with you local pro.

Bart_2

Vision Pro

I love the Vision Pro 8000 and all of my customers love them as well. Touch screen, easy to program, adaptive technology etc.

Susan_6

Thanks. I saw a single stage for $90. I assume the the multi-app includes AC, but I will make sure. I re-read Dan's book about why these are bad in general and especially for a single-pipe steam. I have to compliment the insallers (the deadmen) of my system because there are no bangs, clanks or any other disturbing noises. Susan

Susan_6

I don't mean to be a dope about this, but I don't get it. We have a $25 Lux purchased at HD and it seems to work fine. We are at work all day and set back to 55 degrees. It comes on in the afternoon and the house is warm when we come home. We do have tankless hot water which goes on and off throughout the day. My system is quiet as a mouse, never bangs or clangs. Why shouldn't I try to reduce my oil consumption of a one-pipe system with a set-back cheapo thermostat?

Don't get me wrong, I love the look of the VisionPro and I'm willing to buy but. . .

Susan

steve_29

I guess the reason people use set back thermostats is to save about 10% in fuel costs... but all I ever see is the misery these thermostats produce when homes freeze up in cold weather.

$1000 cost for oil x l0%= $100 savings

1 freeze up on the 2nd floor= $1000 or more.

OK homeowners... would you rather pay me the $100 NOW, AND KEEP YOUR HOME AT 70, OR PAY ME THE $1000+ LATER???

Please don't say it can't and won't happen, unless of course you have antifreeze in you system.

It has been suggested to set them at a temperature( I say 70) and leave them until the cold weather snaps, but then again maybe, I should just shut up and reap the bounty $$$$$$$$.

Susan_6

Ouch.

I have spent condsiderable time trying to learn more about my heating system so I can be a better consumer. I never mind paying professionals for professional work. I have had a set-back thermostat for the 17 years I've lived in the house and was surpised to find out they are not necessarily a good thing to have.

Don't you want your customers to have a clue about what your are talking about when you hire them?

Susan

BillW@honeywell

Don't get upset...

Lots of opinions on this site. Freezeups are usually caused by poor piping design like pipes being run thru outside walls, not enough insulation or none at all, air leaks, component failure, power failure, running out of oil or propane...you get the idea. I've had programmables in my house for 22 years, and despite sub-zero cold, and being away a lot, I have never had a freezeup. The typical setback is at most, 10 degrees. If your house freezes up at 60 degrees, you have major building envelop issues that should be adressed immediately. Your house is a system. Many components make up that system, and the failure of one, cascades into them all. Seal up and save is not just "green" rhetoric, its vital to home energy efficiency.

Steam systems, if they are working right, contain very little water, other than what's in the boiler, and are unlikely to freeze except in exceptional circumstances.
Windows, insulation, housewrap, roof, doors, heating/cooling system, lights, appliances, water heater and so on are all compoments of your house system. Look for EnergyStar rated products, and purchase the most efficient ones you budget will allow. Behind mortgage and taxes, energy costs are the largest cost of home ownership, but they can be controlled with a little planning, homework, elbow grease, and professional help.

David Efflandt

temperature swings

Not sure how well your Lux controls a given temperature setting. But a RobertShaw programmable thermostat installed by previous owner on 1-pipe steam had no anticipator. Its narrowest setting was +-1 degree F (2 degree spread) and it overshot a degree or 2 (3-4 degree actual swing) because the radiators retain heat.

I replaced it with Honeywell CT3600 which has automatic anticipation and usually keeps the temperature within 1 degree of set point. That and other Honeywell models also ramp up from setback to ease the strain on the heating system and warm by the set time, instead of starting to kick up the heat at set time. So even if you arrive home or get up early, the temperature is almost there.

I do not use much setback except spring and fall, when it is not going to run for 3-4 hrs or more and I get solar gain. Might as well make that 8 hrs (eliminate some day and night cycles).

Maine doug

VisionPro

I just ordered my second VisionPro stat, and with the remote indoor sensor. I will post a pic when done. It will be controlling panel rads with night setback. We are replacing the "Round" one with this new stat.

I suspect I will be getting a second remote sensor for the current VisionPro so it will "average" what it senses on the east and west sides of the building. Gotta love these things.

Susan_6

Thanks for all the explanations, I do have a better understanding of why my inexpensive thermostat may not be the right item. The collective enthusiasm for the VisionPro model has convinced me.

Susan

gerry gill

susan-

you can set back a steam system with fine results, as you are fully aware of since you do...however, and this is a big HOWEVER, there will most likely be alot of tweaking of the system, boiler, pipes, insulation, to make the system behave when it comes out of a deep setback..but it can be done..most people think they can just slap up a set back t-stat and they're done..not so..and this is the reason we usually recommend against it..sounds like you have a well maintained system and this is probably why it works for you..so rejoice that you sound as tho the person taking care of your system must be good..

Susan_6

Gerry:

I have a well installed system that was mostly ignored after that! I did have a pro install a new boiler 16 years ago and luckily he knew what he was doing because I knew
n-o-t-h-i-n-g.

Susan