My heating tech recommended an "outdoor reset" module for my oil burner. I finally installed one myself, a Tekmar 256, and it really rocks. The idea is to have an intelligent monitor decide when the boiler should fire rather than a simple "call for heat" switch closure. The outcome is more even temperature control and less fuel usage. A programmable thermostat can not do all that.
The reset monitors outdoor and boiler send temps and makes the burner fire decisions. What changed is that for me, with a three zone system mixture of radiators and baseboards, the circulation pumps work more often and the burner less often. Much less.
Our first perception was that it was consistently too warm, with no changes to the thermostats. I reduced the them to 67 from 69. Overnight is now only 62 down from 64 and it still feels warm. I will be tweaking the controls into the cold season but I am already impressed with the operation. It made a huge change in the home environment.
The hookup was quite simple with the two LV sensors and the HV boiler wiring and I saved $1100 doing it myself. There is even an "AWAY" switch function that lowers the system to a set temp if you go away for a few days. I used to have to do that on three stats manually.
I totally recommend the addition for comfort and energy conservation. Even if you pay for installation it will be worth it.
Mike
The reset monitors outdoor and boiler send temps and makes the burner fire decisions. What changed is that for me, with a three zone system mixture of radiators and baseboards, the circulation pumps work more often and the burner less often. Much less.
Our first perception was that it was consistently too warm, with no changes to the thermostats. I reduced the them to 67 from 69. Overnight is now only 62 down from 64 and it still feels warm. I will be tweaking the controls into the cold season but I am already impressed with the operation. It made a huge change in the home environment.
The hookup was quite simple with the two LV sensors and the HV boiler wiring and I saved $1100 doing it myself. There is even an "AWAY" switch function that lowers the system to a set temp if you go away for a few days. I used to have to do that on three stats manually.
I totally recommend the addition for comfort and energy conservation. Even if you pay for installation it will be worth it.
Mike