Another noob question: see the attached image of my thermostat. Would it be possible to switch it for a smart one? What would I have to check? If it is possible, what would you recommend? If is don’t want any 3rd party app or account?
Another noob question: see the attached image of my thermostat. Would it be possible to switch it for a smart one? What would I have to check? If it is possible, what would you recommend? If is don’t want any 3rd party app or account?
An ESP8266 running ESPHome and a relay would work here. It’s basically on or off. Then you could pull temperature information in from multiple temp sensors around your home.
I do something similar for some solar air heaters I built.
Despite the name it’s not a simple on/off that can be done with a relay. Those 2 wires also provide power to the thermostat unit. I’d first try to find more information about how these thermostats report demand to the boiler before using a relay.
I’ve also seen someone that simply replaced the NTC/PTC on their existing thermostat with some ESP circuit so they basically controlled what the thermostat “sees”. Want more heat? Tell the thermostat that it’s 5℃ in the room. Want the boiler to stop? Simulate a cozy 30℃.
The power being provided to the unit is just a side effect. More than likely 24vdc and a set of contacts. If you were to wire a simple toggle switch in and flip it on the heat would turn on.
I’ve dealt with hundreds of thermostats they all work in a similar fashion the new ones just use multiple relays with a single power wire. The old school thermostats just used bimetal contacts or clock springs with a mercury relay. Modern ones use electromechanical or solid state relays. This includes things like the nest thermostats.
The Junkers boiler at my previous place had an emergency mode where it was heating when the contacts were open. Even their simplest thermostats put a load on the wires depending on how much heat is required - so it doesn’t go full blast when you are only slightly under the target temperature.
So, this all depends on your specific boiler. While it might work with a simple relay, it might be far from optimal in terms of energy efficiency and wear&tear of the boiler.