My Zoned Ducted System Is Cooking The Bedrooms

lockmc on 05/08/2020 - 09:41

We have a Brivis zoned heater/aircon.
It's costing us an arm and a leg at the moment! $600 for the last 60 days (we have it on probably half the day).

Now that we have a new born, we have started turning the bedroom zone on at night to something like 19 degrees.
The problem is, when we wake, it is absolutely cooking in those bedrooms.

My assumption is that because there is only 1 thermostat, it doesn't know the temperature of the bedrooms so it keeps pumping warm air into them.
Does that sound plausible?
We did recently do a full reno and I moved the system, but definitely have only ever seen one thermostat.

So how are zoned systems meant to work when it doesn't know the temperature of the zone? It seems to be taking the temperature from where the thermostat/controls are, which is never going to change when we only have the bedrooms on.

My solution (haven't really tried this yet) is to turn both zones on at night so that the thermostat will know the temperature of the main area and then turn off, but that feels like it is a lot of extra gas to heat the whole house.

My other option is to just buy a oil heater or similar which sounds tempting at the moment.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • haydoz on 05/08/2020 - 09:44
    +1

    Does it have a timer/auto off setting? We just set ours to turn off a couple of hours after bedtime. Keeps the cost down too.

    • lockmc on 05/08/2020 - 09:46

      It does.. but then if the temperature drops in the house, it obviously won't turn back on.

  • bonz on 05/08/2020 - 10:11
    +1

    It sounds like you've got the bedroom doors closed, if you're isolating the air from the br and the thermostat then obviously the thermostat is picking up the temperature from unheated area, hence it keeps pumping as if the thermostat is broken

  • ssquid on 05/08/2020 - 10:43

    Are the doors open? Closed doors = poor airflow = cold thermostats at the ducts.

  • kahn on 05/08/2020 - 11:12
    +1

    I agree with the OP. There would ideally be one thermostat per zone otherwise it's rather pointless. Does the Brivis manual mention multiple thermostats? Try calling them.

    • SnoozeAndLose on 05/08/2020 - 12:31

      Yes it is in a ideal situation, but it may cost 20% more as it require a thermostat and control to set the valve.

      Also it have higher chance of failure down the line.

      • kahn on 05/08/2020 - 13:05

        Here's an idea for manufactures (if it doesn't already exist): make the second/third thermostat a battery-operated portable sensor. That way, you can stick it anywhere you want (that's what she said) and at any height level.

        • SnoozeAndLose on 05/08/2020 - 13:11

          I think soon Xiaomi will invent one, or i have seen that there is a light switching device which can remote control the device to switch the light on and off. So just connect the temperature sensor to the Xiaomi Hub then control the light switch device.

  • kator on 05/08/2020 - 11:25

    As far is I know if there is one thermostat then you need to heat/cool that paticular zone as well.

    So in my house I turn on the livingroom (thermostate) + bedroom 1 on 100%, bedroom 2 on 10% etc…
    The point in the zoning is to set the percentage.

    I basically heat the whole house (4+2) and have ~$300-$350 bills.

  • tmcn85 on 05/08/2020 - 11:38
    +1

    Do babies need a warmer room at night than we do?

    • Quantumcat on 05/08/2020 - 12:04
      +1

      Yes, they can't regulate their own temperature too well. And if they get cold they will wake up and cry more often than they would otherwise need to. Plus you can't give them a blanket or doona as they will wriggle under and suffocate, their clothes have to do all their warming.

      • lockmc on 06/08/2020 - 09:44

        I think this is why our newborn is stirring and making a ton of noise from 4AM - I think he is too cold!

    • SnoozeAndLose on 05/08/2020 - 12:33
      +1

      Toddler may not like to put on the blanket even if the blanket being put on toddler may be slip off when they are moving around during the sleep.
      I keep the room temperature not fail below 20 degree.

    • Bad Wolf on 06/08/2020 - 17:05

      Need warmer room? They need help regulating temperature combination of clothing and ambient temperature.

      Interestingly enough some European countries rug their babies up and they sleep outside in the fresh (cold cold) air.

  • Mike88 on 05/08/2020 - 11:54

    Unless you have temperature controlled zones, most people don’t, they will either be open or closed. The zones are just a way of directing airflow and have nothing to do with the temperature.
    Most central heating/AC setups run off one thermostat and the heat/cooling effect will be determined by the set temperature and read temperature.
    If your thermostat is in an unconditioned area reading 15 degrees and you have it set to 22 degrees the heating call is going to continue regardless of what temperature it is in other areas.

  • Youfah Mizzum on 05/08/2020 - 12:00

    By turning on your main zone so the thermostat can detect an accurate room temp, you'll actually be using LESS power. Just coz you're heating up more space doesn't mean it's using more power - it just means more ducts are open.
    And if those open ducts are closer to the thermostat, then the aircon will shut down (or at least reduce) when it's reached temp.

    On my ducted aircon, we set it to 17 degs. It swicthes on and off as required and keeps the house very comfortable even if it's utterly freezing outside.

    And ensure doors are open to ensure warmed air is making it's way back to the intake grill.

    • lockmc on 06/08/2020 - 09:43

      I swear if we keep all doors and zones open/on, the house feels much colder though. But I take your point.
      What is the point of zoned systems then if we are saying the best thing to do is have doors and all ducts open?

  • FoxJump on 05/08/2020 - 13:41

    I have same problem. Twins. Ducted aircon with sensor in the hallway. It's a piece of shit.
    We make do with each kiddos room having an oil heater and a Bunnings thermo timer. Ie you tell it the temps and it'll switch the power to the heater on off.
    I also have two Xiaomi hydrometers, one in each room glued to their cot.
    Also a tp link tapo surveillance camera looking at the cot
    And a tablet running MijiaTemp android app and ovnifer so I can check the temp and the babies at any time of night

    • Polt on 05/08/2020 - 19:54

      That sounds like a lot of baby surveillance

      • FoxJump on 06/08/2020 - 06:19

        Yep.

    • lockmc on 06/08/2020 - 09:42

      Yeah thinking a little oil heater might be the best thing to do here!

  • Euphemistic on 05/08/2020 - 13:41

    Your thermostat is probably in the air inlet. You need to get air to the correct temp in the room that has the inlet.

    • lockmc on 06/08/2020 - 09:42

      No its not, as in my original post, it's on the wall in the living room .

      • Euphemistic on 06/08/2020 - 10:17

        Are you sure? That might just be the controller in a convenient place. The temp sensor is often in the return air vent as this is where the best air flow is.

        • lockmc on 06/08/2020 - 10:25

          Yeah fairly sure. We've just completed a renovation which had me relocating the return air and when taping it up, there was no sensors or wires going to it.
          We have Brivis NC-1 network controller which I believe has the thermometer built in.

          • Euphemistic on 06/08/2020 - 11:36

            @lockmc: It could also be in the main unit. After all, that’s where the air goes to get cooled or warmed.

      • [Deactivated] on 06/08/2020 - 11:44

        I know that on Daikin you can change which thermostat it reads from. I changed it to the inlet and it effed up my ducted temp settings. It was better when it read from the controller.

  • 0FoxGiven on 05/08/2020 - 20:00

    You could try lowering the target temperature.

    If the temperature reading near your controller is 15 degrees, then set the target temperature at like 16 degrees, if your bedroom is far from the temperature controller. If its close to the controller, set it at 19 degrees. Heat from your bedroom will leak out and slowly heat up the air in your house and when that temperature reaches your controller it will turn off (by which time the actual temperature in your bedroom might have reached 24 degrees or so.

  • doctordv8 on 06/08/2020 - 07:26
    +1

    Here is a thought. Contact the installer, supplier, and or manufacturer and ask them…the experts on your system in your situation.

    You know, straight from the horses mouth is usually the best source of information.

    • lockmc on 06/08/2020 - 09:41
      -1

      Thanks for the helpful comment. Didn't realize we weren't on an internet forum aimed at saving money.
      It's a 20 year old system, who knows who the installer or supplier was.

  • casho on 06/08/2020 - 10:43

    Melbourne doesn't get that cold. Can you set it to lower than 19C? Or just use a local heater for the babies room

  • TEER3X on 06/08/2020 - 11:41

    Just heat the babies room with a good heater that has an accurate thermostat. You can find the ideal temperature ranges online and aim for the exact middle.

    Otherwise, leave all doors open so there is airflow.
    I always leave all inside doors open for the best airflow, puts less strain on the system also.

    It's possible there is a duct pumping out hot air near the air intake return and thermostat which is causing a higher than accurate reading

    Babies wake up for lots of reasons, if they are really cold or really hot, sure, but wouldn't rule out any other reason (need to be changed, hungry, nightmares, missing parents, no longer tired, and of course no reason whatsoever)

  • Sunshines bright on 06/08/2020 - 16:40

    Zoning is best with Temp control per room!!! I recent purchased a zone control and had zoning added on to our ducted system. Look into updating your zone controllers adding in temp control.
    Here is our quote from a few years ago

    {"Option 2 (Temp control) 0-100%

    To supply and install a iZone 325 colour touch pad as a replacement to your existing wall controller.

    Complete with individual room/zone sensors and 0-100% zone motors.

    All wall sensors use the wireless technology.

    You also have the ability to regulate the amount of airflow to each zone.

    iZone provides total control and comfort of your home. ((we got Airtouch not iZone but do not recall the price difference))

    It is the next generation climate controls system that works with Samsung air conditioner, you can control the temperature of each room in your home with Wi-Fi and 4G. Full access from your smart phone, tablet or computer.

    Limited commissioning and programing has been included.

    Additional devises may incur additional fees.

    To supply and install to iZone touch controller will be $2338.00 +GST."}

    • lockmc on 07/08/2020 - 12:10

      This looks interesting. Still trying to understand exactly what the product is. It must not just be a controller, but also zone dampeners and other bits and pieces?
      It doesn't have Brivis listed unfortunately. I'll contact them and see what they say.

      • Sunshines bright on 07/08/2020 - 19:07

        https://www.airtouch.net.au/airtouch/airtouch-2/

        Item # Description
        657208 AirTouch 2 Touchpad
        657209 AirTouch 2 Main Module
        657210 AirTouch 2 Extension Board
        657154 NEAT 24V Transformer (2 Amp)
        657095 Control Cable 12M
        657096 Data Cable 12M
        657110 Zm On/Off AC Cable
        657211 Zm Gateway Cable

        Think it is that simple!! Just electronics added to your zones.

        This replaces the Brivis controller you currently use.

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