In this article, we will discuss how heating control works in smart homes in practice. You will learn what options are available, what is necessary to implement, and which solution will best meet your needs.
Prerequisites
As with traditional heating, a smart home system requires temperature sensors. In a smart home, more sensors are usually needed because of the possibility of zone control of heating - a key element for high efficiency. This means that temperature sensors will be needed in each heated room, allowing for precise zone control. Fortunately, this is neither a visual nor a technical problem, because many system buttons already have integrated temperature sensors.
This is where the requirements end. All you need to do is install the appropriate main device, which will act as a heating management module. Then we connect electronic actuators to this module, which directly control the heating circuits.
Heating control methods
There are three main heating control methods available in smart home systems:
Relay control - the simplest and least expensive method. When the temperature drops below the set level, the master module activates the relay, which opens the circuit, allowing warm water to flow to the radiator. When the desired temperature is reached, the relay switches off, closing the circuit. Unfortunately, this is the least effective method, characterized by large temperature fluctuations, especially in underfloor heating circuits.
Relay control with advanced algorithms - works on the same principle, but the master device monitors temperature changes using an advanced algorithm, which allows for smoother switching on and off of circuits, minimizing the range of temperature fluctuations.
Setpoint control - the most precise method, which uses actuators with an adjustable control signal (usually 0-10V) with a separate power supply. This solution allows heating proportional to demand, but is the most expensive in terms of equipment.
Wall-mounted radiators
In the case of wall-mounted radiators, any of the above methods can be used.
However, it is worth mentioning the existence of specialist actuators dedicated to specific systems, such as Theben Cheops S for KNX installations, which has a built-in temperature sensor and is powered from the bus. The use of such actuators will work especially well in premises with a small number of radiators, allowing for minimization of cabling, which must be run directly from the switchboard.
In a situation where we do not want or cannot run additional cabling (e.g. in a finished apartment), we can use battery actuators - easy to install, but requiring periodic battery replacement or charging.
Is temperature setting the only method of control?
In theory, temperature setting is the basic way to manage heating, but smart home systems offer more possibilities. For example, presence sensors can monitor whether someone is in a room, and geofencing (determining the GPS location of users) allows the heating to be automatically turned on or off depending on whether household members are nearby.
For those who love central management, the systems offer the ability to create scenes, such as "Exit", which automatically turns off the lights and reduces the temperature in the building to a given minimum.
Cooperation of heating with other components
Smart home automation offers much more than just temperature control. Integration with other systems, such as air conditioning or ventilation, allows you to prevent antagonistic devices from operating simultaneously (e.g. heating and air conditioning). Systems are often equipped with window contacts that detect window openings and turn off the heating when the outside temperature is not extremely low.
Some air conditioning units have a heating function – the smart home system can activate this functionality at the right time to assist with the heating process.
Summary
Controlling heating in a smart home system is more than just temperature control. Integrated management, advanced algorithms, and the ability to cooperate with other automation components make heating an intelligent system that adapts to our needs. Thanks to this, we can enjoy comfort and save energy at the same time.
Author: Marwan Haj Ibrahim
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