We currently know that there are at least two forms of heating: water heating and air heating.
1. Water heating
A water heater, such as a condensing boiler, is responsible for heating the entire house. The hot water produced by the water heater flows through pipes to each room, and each room has a radiator to heat the corresponding room.
The water heater can be converted into an intelligent one using a smart switch, such as SONOFF MINI-D or ZBMINIR2. The radiators in each room can also be converted to be intelligent by using smart switches or SONOFF TRVs.
When the switch or TRV in ANY room is turned on, the switch controlling the water heater should also be turned on. When the switches or TRVs in ALL the rooms are turned off, the switch controlling the water heater should also be turned off.
To achieve an intelligent temperature control experience, temperature sensors can be installed in each room, and then the sensor in the same room must be linked with the corresponding switch. For TRV, either the built-in temperature sensor can be used, or an external temperature sensor can be installed in the same room.
This kind of correlation (between the sensor and the switch in the same room) can be simple or complex.
-
Simple: Set the target temperature for the room. Based on the difference between the readings of the temperature sensor and the target temperature, determine whether to turn on or off the switch (the radiator).
-
Complex: Set different target temperatures for different days of the week and different times of the day - this is what is called a schedule.
This correlation can also be made more intelligent through the analysis of historical data and user usage habits, for example:
-
Recommend an appropriate schedule and target temperatures to achieve greater energy conservation
-
Preheat the room in advance before the start of the schedule, so that it can reach the suitable temperature earlier.
2. Air heating
A heat pump is responsible for heating the entire house. The hot air generated by the heat pump flows through the ducts and passes through the vents in each room, but each room does NOT have a separate electric controller to control the vents.
The heat pump can be converted to an intelligent one by using a smart switch.
When there is a heating requirement in ANY room, the heat pump should be turned on. When no heating is needed in ALL rooms, the heat pump should be turned off.
To achieve an intelligent temperature control experience, temperature sensors can be installed in each room. And all the temperature sensors should be linked to the smart switch of the heat pump.
This kind of correlation can be simple or complex.
-
Simple: Set the target temperature for each room. Taking into account the heating requirements of each room, determine whether to turn on or off the smart switch (the heat pump).
-
Complex: Set different target temperatures for different days of the week and different times of the day - this is what is called a schedule.
I suggested that the user be able to switch whether they want this thermostat they already have or the advanced.
Yes, we plan to implement the above two heating methods by adding new types of virtual thermostat (without modifying the existing virtual thermostat types and their working mechanisms).