Central Heating Room Thermostat?

[countrykid]

My central Heating is supplied by a Combi Boiler, and the radiators all have thermostativ valves - except the small one in the bathroom (I think at least one rad has to be left with a normal valve). Whilst we can turn down the valve in the lounge when it gets too warm, it still means the boiler stays on. If we turn down the other valves, the boiler will be on less, but will "cycle" on and off when one or more of those less used rooms cools down. To solve this "cycling" I want to know if we can have a room thermosdtat fitted in the main room which is an open plan lounge with stairs leading off. I think this would then ensure the actual boiler switched off when the stat temp was satisfied. If we got too hot, we could just turn the stat down for instant boilert switch off. Can anyone tell me if this is the case, and also can a room thermostat be fitted easily and what the typical cost might be. The position for the stat would be right below the upstairs cupboard where the boiler is, so cabling, which could be surface mounted in plastic trunking, would be minimal.

[The Builder]

...no problem Kid ........ all new systems these days have to have a stat fitted in the system........ it's a "green" economy requirement.
As far as I know, the stat is fitted in the circulating pump circuit, so, even if the rads are "calling", then the pump wont come on if the stat says "no".
If the pump isn't on, then the "return" leg of the system stays cold.......... thus the boiler doesn't fire up.
Simple job for a heating guy.

[countrykid]

Hi Builder, that;s great. Many thanks for swift answer. I'll make enquiries to get it done.

[tezestwing]

Er it isn't as simple as that to comply fully with the (green) act the rad without the thermo controlled valves needs to be in the room with the stat usually the main living room there's one big problem with that that is the boiler goes off when the stat in that room is satisfied as the builder quite rightly pointed out but if you have another room being used IE study or other they dont get any heating .
I had a new system fitted recently with the above set up but had to re site the room stat within the stair well then changed the valves round so that the hall had constantly on but made sure that it did not quite satisfied the re sited stat then went round all the TRVs and lock shields to balance up the requirements and hey presto every body happy in other rooms
Obviously tuning down the TRV on leaving the room helps to save energy HTH Tez

[gucciman]

room stat siting is always a nitemare, it's not really good practice to have one in the main living room especially if you have a gas fire in the room too, you'll end up with a cosy living room and the rest of the house freezing !

The usual place for a room stat is half way up the stair case so you can try and even out the temperature.

Installing a room stat is no problem at all. Another option is a wireless room stat so you could then experiment with moving the stat to different locations until you find one your happy with.

As already said you never have a room stat and trv in the same room as the 2 will play against each other.

Trv's do not call for heat, they are simply a wax capsule which expands and contracts thus blocking or unblocking the flow of water.

And room stats do not stop or start the pump, you will find that most pumps on combi's will run after the boiler has stopped firing to circulate the water and stop the heat exchanger from over heating, room stats wire into the heating/timer circuit and are basically an on/off switch stopping the boiler from firing.