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8 solutions for controlling the heating of an electric infrared heater or a radiant panel?
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Some electric infrared heaters or radiant panels do not have any thermostat integrated in the heater itself. This bold technological choice has many advantages relating to the reliability, low thickness of the heater, flexibility in the choice of the control solution. This article presents various possible control solutions, from the simplest to the most advanced.
Summary:
- Control by an analogue or digital WIRED thermostat without programming
- Control by a THERMOSTAT-PLUG or a plug controlled by a wireless thermostat
- Control by a simple analogue WIRELESS thermostat without programming
- Control by a digital WIRELESS thermostat WI
TH programming and CENTRALISATION of the control for the entire housing - Control by digital WIRELESS thermostat WI
TH programming and CENTRALISATION of the control for the entire housing - Control by a digital WIRELESS thermostat
without INTERNET with CENTRALISATION of the control for the entire housing - Control by a digital WIRELESS thermostat
via INTERNET with CENTRALISATION of the control for the entire housing - Control by a WIRED thermostat or WIFI INTELLIGENT
When selecting the technical solution, make sure to choose a dry contact (relay) control solution consistent with the power of the connected heater. The solutions presented on this page respect these characteristics.
# Note: this article does not present the plugs controlled via Wifi and smartphone insofar as the failure to take into account the room temperature is detrimental for energy savings.
1) Control by a simple analogue WIRED thermostat without programming
It’s the simplest and least expensive solution which generally concerns the control of electric heaters in the toilets, shower rooms or bathrooms. This solution presents a disadvantage of having to make a physical connection by cable between the thermostat and the power supply, and then between the thermostat and the heater. The advantage is its simplicity of use and the absence of cells as it is powered by the housing. The risk by taking a low-quality solution is an inefficient regulation (management of high and low room temperature exceedings compared to the setpoint) with temperature variations in the room and an unoptimised consumption.
Tybox 10 from Delta Dore
Recommended brands: DELTA DORE, HONEYWELL, HAGER, DANFOSS
This solution also has the advantage (relative) of the absence of radio waves to communicate with the radio. The advantage is relative insofar as wireless solutions only transmit information at very short intervals of time.
Examples of first price wired thermostats (230V direct power supply):
- Delta Dore Tybox 10 thermostat (less than 25€) – 10 A/230 V dry contact inverter + possible locking of setpoint ranges (for rental case). Differential 0,8 +/- 0,2° C.
- Digital Elektrobok PT14 thermostat (less than 25€) – 16 A/230 V dry contact inverter – Measuring accuracy: ± 1 °C
- Danfoss RMT electromechanical room thermostat (less than 25€)
- MT1-Honeywell mechanical thermostat (less than 25€)
Examples of wired thermostats without the possibility of programming (battery powered):
- Delta Dore Tybox 21 ambient thermostat (around 50€) – for heaters of 450W maximum
- Delta Dore Tybox 51 ambient thermostat (around 60€) – for heaters of 450W maximum
2) Control by THERMOSTAT-PLUG or by plug controlled by a wireless thermostat
The main advantage of a THERMOSTAT-PLUG (2 in 1) or a PLUG controlled by a wireless thermostat is that they do not require any connection work. Plug the heater (equipped with a plug) in the female connector of the thermostat-plug. Set the target temperature and that’s it! The main disadvantage is the aesthetics. Indeed, the power cable of the heater will remain visible (or in a wire trough). This solution is recommended when it is very difficult to bring the power supply of the housing directly behind the heater itself. Note, the “thermostat-plug 2 in 1” measures the temperature at floor level (at the outlet location), which is not ideal for an effective temperature measurement.
THERMOSTAT-PRISE (2 en 1)
The models are easy to be find with retailers (especially on internet), for example:
- 220V thermostat plug – CORNWALL Electronics (less than 40€)
- Wireless room thermostat – Anself (less than 40€)
There is also an alternative solution of a wireless thermostat couple (to be attached to a wall or to be placed on a table) associated with a radio-controlled plug. The heater is plugged into the radio-controlled plug. The latter communicates by radio with the thermostat. Although the cost is high (around 180€), this solution has the advantage of a real high-performance and wireless electronic thermostat to be attached at mid-height preferably.
Example of DEGXEL Pack n°1: Plug controlled by a wireless thermostat
3) Control by a simple analogue WIRELESS thermostat without programming
The target of this solution is to combine aesthetics and a simplified management solution. In clear terms, the user wants to be able to hide the power cable of the heater. For this purpose, the radio micro-module, whose function is to switch the heater on and off through the orders sent by the thermostat, is inserted in the wall socket (from which the front panel has been removed or in an empty receptacle).
The thermostat measures the temperature of the room, and then in accordance with the temperature setpoint set by a simple scroll wheel, it sends the switching on or off orders to the micro-module located in the wall socket.
The solution is therefore extremely simple to implement and to use (no programming). It is particularly interesting for toilets, shower rooms, bathrooms, etc… or for users looking for an ultra simple solution to use. We set the desired temperature once and for all and we do not take care of anything else.
wireless thermostat with a scroll wheel: easy day-to-day management
This solution proposed by DEGXEL (99€ for the thermostat and the receiver) is also interesting for rental purposes as it’s possible to set a high temperature limit.
4) Control by a digital WIRELESS thermostat WITH programming and centralisation of the control for the entire housing
1 radio receiver per heater and 1 thermostat per area (or room)
Also in this solution, the radio receiver is concealed in the wall socket located behind the heater.
The thermostat attached to a wall or placed on furniture permanently measures the temperature. If the room temperature is below the setpoint temperature (or default value), the thermostat sends the order to the receiver to switch the heater on (and vice versa). One thermostat for the entire living area can control one, two or three receivers (therefore heaters) as required. Weak point of this solution: it is not possible to control the entire housing from one central point (see other solutions below). Each room needs its thermostat. However, the users have 2 options: perform a weekly time programming or use it on AUTO mode which will make the thermostat switch between ECO (reduced temperature) and COMFORT mode by simply pressing one button. In that case the intervention of the inhabitants is actually reduced to a minimum.
A simple solution quick to implement. High reliability (made in Germany).
10A Dry contact output for electric radiant heaters up to 1500W.
This solution proposed by DEGXEL (149€ for the thermostat and the receiver) combines aesthetics, simplicit
5) Control by a digital WIRELESS thermostat WITH programming and centralisation of the control for the entire housing
TYBOX 237: 1 programmable room thermostat + 1 wireless radio receiver + 1 base
Connection principle diagram for dry contact (or valve)
The battery-powered thermostat attached to the wall or placed on a piece of furniture permanently measures the temperature.
The radio receiver is attached to the wall by screws (or by double-sided adhesive) next to the heater and in the same room as the wireless thermostat. It is connected to the heater as well as to the 230V power supply.
Receiver: 5A Dry contact output (suitable for up to 1000W radiant heaters).
• Adjustment range from 5° to 30°C
• Dimensions of the unit (room thermostat): H 104 x L 80 x P 35 mm
• Power supply of the unit 2 LR03 cells (supplied)
• Power supply of the receiver: 230 V
• Radio frequency 868 MHz
Customised programming for a better everyday comfort
• Up to 25% of savings on the heating bill
• Easy to use thanks to its scroll wheel
• Weekly programming (5 + 2 days)
• Daily programming
• Holiday programming with integrated calendar
• Display of operating time
• Automatic change of time: Summer/Winter
This solution is proposed by the french manufacturer DELTADORE on a budget of around 200€.
6) Control by digital WIRELESS thermostat without INTERNET with CENTRALISATION of the control system for the entire housing
1 radio receiver per heater and 1 thermostat per area (or room) and 1 central unit for the entire housing
With this solution, the radio receiver is concealed in the wall socket behind the heater. The wireless thermostat is placed in the living room (attached to the wall or placed on a piece of furniture). The central unit of the control system must be close to the electric board of the housing as there is one element that has to be inserted therein. The solution is therefore quite complex and costly to implement technically.
7) Control by digital WIRELESS thermostat via INTERNET with CENTRALISATION of the control for the entire housing
Thermostat (measures the temperature) + Micro-module (wireless receiver) + Home Automation Box (gateway) + Application
The control solution of the heaters is based on 3 devices and one application:
- a Delta Dore radio micro-module (receiver) RF to be placed in the cable outlet (behind the heater). Its function is to receive the switching on and off orders from the thermostat. You need 1 micro-module per heater.
- a Delta Dore Tybox wireless radio thermostat to be placed in each room to measure the temperature.
- one Delta Dore TYDOM home automation for the entire housing, to be connected to your internet box by a simple Ethernet cable.
- a TYDOM application for smartphone or tablet (available on Apple store for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with IOS 9.0. and above, on Play store for Android devices with Android 4.1 and above).
The micro-module is inserted at the cable output (wall socket whose façade has been removed)
The micro-module and the power cable are totally invisible as they are concealed behind the heater
The functions allowed by this solution:
- control each heater individually via the wireless thermostat or smartphone application
- 100% aesthetic solution – you don’t see the power cable of the heater
- be able to centralise the control of the entire housing via a single device (mobile phone, tablet) and from anywhere in the world
Home automation box to be connected to your Internet Box by the Ethernet cable supplied
Display – room temperature modification directly via the wireless thermostat (without using the application)
8) Control by WIRED thermostat or WIFI INTELLIGENT
1 connected thermostat (wifi or via a home automation box) or 1 wired thermostat per area
Smart Wifi thermostats or wired thermostats, do not allow (to date) centralised control of the entire housing. It is therefore a solution that works by living area (living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom etc.) making it very expensive to deploy this solution for the entire housing.
Learn more about heaters and electric heating
Expert File: Which smart thermostat to choose to save energy?
Expert File: What are the characteristics of an ideal heater?
Expert File: How to easily evaluate the number of electric heaters and the heat output required for your needs?
How to choose an infrared heater: The best infrared heaters
Expert File: How to effectively heat a veranda?
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