On Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:35:48 +0000, Roger Mills wrote:

Yes, I know. The object of the exercise though is to prevent it freezing
so that a burst pipe claim never arises, but to minimise the cost of
doing so.

But are the costs involved in designing/buying/installing extra
control systems less than the cost of gas saved?

Say the parts cost £30, stat, enclosure(s), cable, connectors etc not
unreasonable. How much gas can you buy for £30, how long would that
keep the place above 13C.

It's like the therostat for the pond heater thread, leaving the thing
on 24/7 for 6 weeks only uses £5 of electricity, can't buy a suitable
stat £5 let alone all the other bits that would be required.

An unheated place will suffer damp when surfaces/objects fall
below the
dewpoint, 13C should keep the place above the dewpoint most of the

time.

Well, we went through last winter with no heating at all when the flat
was unoccupied, and that doesn't appear to have been a problem.

Well if it didn't freeze last year... you may be worrying about
nothing. Damp in this case isn't damp as in patches on the plaster or
running down the windows. Buts just a general wetness that will
encourage mildew on organic things make the furnishings "musty", bed
clothes cold and clammy.

Something which records the temperature every couple of hours - without
costing an arm and a leg - would be better. Any ideas, anyone?

JFGI - "usb temperature logger"

Cheap one at random from the first page:

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/displayPr...sp?sku=IN04739

4,000 readings @ 30 min intervals is 83 1/3 days. £27.60 inc VAT

You can get ones with programable intervals and more storage.

--
Cheers
Dave.