weathercompensated

Weathercompensated is a term used in heating technology to describe a control strategy that modulates a building's heating output in response to outdoor weather conditions. In a weathercompensated system, an outdoor temperature sensor feeds a control curve that translates external temperature into a target boiler return or supply temperature, helping to maintain indoor comfort at the desired setpoint while reducing energy consumption.

How it works: When outdoor temperatures fall, the system increases boiler supply temperature to compensate for heat loss; when temperatures rise, it lowers supply to avoid overheating. The curve can be implemented within the boiler, a dedicated controller, or a compatible thermostat. The approach is often used with radiators or underfloor heating and typically requires proper system sizing and commissioning.

Benefits include improved energy efficiency, reduced fuel use, and smoother room temperatures. Savings depend on climate, insulation, and system design. Limitations include the need for a correctly placed outdoor sensor, potential reduced responsiveness for rapid indoor comfort changes, and less effectiveness in poorly insulated or very small systems. In some buildings, weather compensation is combined with room-temperature controls or demand-based modulation for best results.

Weathercompensated controls are common in modern boilers and are marketed as a standard feature in many European installations. They represent a step toward automated, adaptive heating management that aligns heat production with outdoor conditions rather than maintaining a fixed boiler temperature.