Boiler programmer thingy for old foke

[winchman]

Inlaws both 80 and one partially sighted have a new boiler. It came with a honeywell controller and they have no chance of operating it, we have had the usual phone call its on its off etc.
To be honest we also struggle to work it.
So what can we fit instead?
I thought of this unless you know of a more suitable one?

Horstmann 425 Tiara Programmer

Order online at Screwfix.com. Common timing. 3-wire installation. Override facility. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 5 minutes.

www.screwfix.com

 

[Munkul]

Hive or Nest - forget the internet controlling part, the programmer itself is superb and really easy to set up.

I put ours in a house in a mostly retired neighborhood, and the British Gas fitter said he'd fitted loads to our neighborhood because they all thought they were so easy to operate.

 

[JMS1972]

Hive or Nest - forget the internet controlling part, the programmer itself is superb and really easy to set up.

I put ours in a house in a mostly retired neighborhood, and the British Gas fitter said he'd fitted loads to our neighborhood because they all thought they were so easy to operate.

I'd second that, also if there is internet access it would allow you to remotely monitor house temperature and switch on when you get the phone call...

 

[gaz1]

actually that is one of the simplest for the elderly

up too top is fully on whilst at the bottom is off for c.h and same for the hot water as its a dual system switch

this one is for central heating only with a thermostat seperate

DANFOSS 103 24HR MECHNICAL TIMESWITCH | Wolseley

Looking for a Danfoss 24 Hour Time Switch 087N6523? Order from Wolseley today - free delivery or click and collect available nationwide.

www.wolseley.co.uk

middle is off down is timer whilst top is on

the other alternative for the elderly is just a thermostat used as a on off switch

spun to the left its off spun to the right its on

digital models its a no go for the elderly

The Best Heating Controls for the Visually Impaired

An essential guide to finding the right heating controls for the visually impaired. Get quotes and online prices for installation today.

www.boilerguide.co.uk

 

[winchman]

actually that is one of the simplest for the elderly

up too top is fully on whilst at the bottom is off for c.h and same for the hot water as its a dual system switch

this one is for central heating only with a thermostat seperate

DANFOSS 103 24HR MECHNICAL TIMESWITCH | Wolseley

Looking for a Danfoss 24 Hour Time Switch 087N6523? Order from Wolseley today - free delivery or click and collect available nationwide.

www.wolseley.co.uk

middle is off down is timer whilst top is on

the other alternative for the elderly is just a thermostat used as a on off switch

spun to the left its off spun to the right its on

digital models its a no go for the elderly

The Best Heating Controls for the Visually Impaired

An essential guide to finding the right heating controls for the visually impaired. Get quotes and online prices for installation today.

www.boilerguide.co.uk

They just want it on twice a day and a on off switch should they want extra, if it has a digital display they will mess it up I am certain, I notice people are selling used Danfoss ones for £50! so must be in demand

 

[gaz1]

my advice use a basic timer for the elderly

and then use a thermostatic switch

timer gives you on off times and over ride switch like the one i posted its just handy to come in house is cold and you can over ride the timer by switching it to the top position

the thermostate gives further control but is controlled by the timer

yes you can use a direct thermostat control as this will be a direct on or off situation but if they forget it can be on all the time

note these systems are handy if used with trv valves as well

 

[gaz1]

Inlaws both 80 and one partially sighted have a new boiler. It came with a honeywell controller and they have no chance of operating it, we have had the usual phone call its on its off etc.
To be honest we also struggle to work it.
So what can we fit instead?

im asking on your honeywell controler

do you mean the timer control or another type ?

 

[winchman]

It's a portable one looks nice but very difficult to use

 

[waddycall]

I’d go with the horstmann tiara. It’s only 24hr rather than 7 day or 5day/2day but that’s irrelevant if they’re in most days. Good choice.

 

[Gareth J]

You could build an analogue one. Simplest, wire both HW and CH together, use a single, simple old school wheel timer that then fires them both, timed. With a simple rocker switch next to it labeled "auto" and "boost/on".

You could get fancy with multiple timers for CH and HW but simpler not to and let the thermostat/s turn off what's not needed.

 

[500e]

Some programmers are the invention of the Devil

 

[Turbo]

I'm not sure if the blue & red things on the clock are on little pins that you move to set the on/off times but if they are avoid them. They are very fiddly to move for normal folk never mind old folk. My parents had one like that & gradually they lost all the red & blue bits.

I fitted a analogue one with little tabs around the clock that you press in to set the on/off times & 2 slide switches to switch hot water & radiators between manual & timed. Simple & idiot proof. This one.
https://www.euroboilerparts.co.uk/g...b2---analogue-programmer-2-channel-1796-p.asp

 

[Gareth J]

I'm not sure if the blue & red things on the clock are on little pins that you move to set the on/off times but if they are avoid them. They are very fiddly to move for normal folk never mind old folk. My parents had one like that & gradually they lost all the red & blue bits.

I fitted a analogue one with little tabs around the clock that you press in to set the on/off times & 2 slide switches to switch hot water & radiators between manual & timed. Simple & idiot proof. This one.
https://www.euroboilerparts.co.uk/g...b2---analogue-programmer-2-channel-1796-p.asp

Oh, you dony need to build an analogue one, the very thing I imagined exists off the shelf.

 

[Keith 66]

Unless you get old or have elderly parents you will never understand their requirements for technology, 99% of tech is too complicated, any tech. They simply cant cope with it. Designers of modern tech need to learn this.
Digital controllers, Any digital device that employs menus, TV remote, phone, mobile phone, all become incomprehensible to old people.
When they cant change channels on the tv they just start button stabbing & chaos ensues.
Then they try & phone you with the TV remote, Or try & change channels with the phone, more chaos.
We recently took the old digital hand set phones out of Mil's place, they have been replaced by a wall mounted unit with great big buttons that have our names on them & the few close contacts she needs. You replace the handset on its holder & hey presto it ends the call.
No more forgetting to press the end call button resulting in a jammed phone line & a late night trip for us to reset her handset!