Today I'm planning out how to redo some of the plumbing on my heating system. Currently, the pump that circulates hot water from boiler to radiators in the house does that, but Very Wrong. Water goes into the boiler, is heated, and is sent out to radiators. Once the thermostat says "Ok, room is warm!" it cuts power to the pump and burners, this is bad because you're not allowing the boiler to keep the water circulating through to maintain water temp in the boiler, it's also not good because you're shocking the metal (cast iron in this design) every time there's a requirement for heating.
A few years back, dad knew a guy who happened upon a liquidating supply house so I've got 4 extra pumps, 4 different types of zone controllers, about a dozen electronic water valves, and some dozen or so flow control valves (fixed valves designed to be half open and not wear out like a ball valve), and a few different types of air bleeders. What I've wanted to do is have constant water pump flowing through the boiler in a short loop in the basement to ensure even balance of warmth in the boiler but not do so in the summer and not something I want to have to remember to do. In comes helpful controls! I only just realized one of the zone controllers I have has the ability to measure outdoor air temps and both adjust water temp and shut off/on the system as needed based on outdoor air temps. This is perfect as I wouldn't need 180F water temp on say, a 40-50 degree day while when it is snowing I would most likely. Now I just need to devise a plan to either, integrate this controller and install additional water pumps for the upstairs and basement loops, or not and just fix the leak I have.
This controller also has inputs for DHW (Domestic Hot Water) meaning I can have a single gas appliance that heats water instead of the 2 that I have now. That will come at a later date, most likely when the water heater craps out at 7AM on a day I need to go to work. I can at least get the controls side set up and move on.