Thermostat or timer (or combination of the two)?
Discussion
It's the age old question of what is the best way to control the heating in your house.
Now, unless you're from the North Pole, we all like it nice and toasty - especially at this time of the year. We currently have trv's, a 7-day timer and a wired room thermostat but looking at replacing them with a smart thermostat system, hive, nest etc. I'm just trying to work out if it's actually worth it.
I currently have it set up so that the heating is controlled solely by the thermostat. Timer is off. The way I see it, this is the best way to have it set - the house is always at roughly the same temperature, I turn it down a bit before bed and wife turns it back up in the morning when she gets up with the little one. If I used the timer, then it'd only let the thermostat work when it's timed to on meaning the house could get cold when not on the timer. Wife works part-time so is out all day some days then can be in and out during the day with the little one.
Or am I wrong? I know I could set some rough times for the times/days I know the house is empty but I'm not sure it's worth the hassle. The house would cool down and then take longer to warm up, meaning the heating has to stay on longer to get back up to temperature.
I know a smart thermostat will do pretty much the same thing but if I'm not really using the timer, is it worth getting? Or should I be using the timer? I like the ability to control the temperature when not at home, especially if we are out longer, coming home late etc. Also, as we have a separate hot water tank, we sometimes require hot water for baths at random.
What's the consensus?
Now, unless you're from the North Pole, we all like it nice and toasty - especially at this time of the year. We currently have trv's, a 7-day timer and a wired room thermostat but looking at replacing them with a smart thermostat system, hive, nest etc. I'm just trying to work out if it's actually worth it.
I currently have it set up so that the heating is controlled solely by the thermostat. Timer is off. The way I see it, this is the best way to have it set - the house is always at roughly the same temperature, I turn it down a bit before bed and wife turns it back up in the morning when she gets up with the little one. If I used the timer, then it'd only let the thermostat work when it's timed to on meaning the house could get cold when not on the timer. Wife works part-time so is out all day some days then can be in and out during the day with the little one.
Or am I wrong? I know I could set some rough times for the times/days I know the house is empty but I'm not sure it's worth the hassle. The house would cool down and then take longer to warm up, meaning the heating has to stay on longer to get back up to temperature.
I know a smart thermostat will do pretty much the same thing but if I'm not really using the timer, is it worth getting? Or should I be using the timer? I like the ability to control the temperature when not at home, especially if we are out longer, coming home late etc. Also, as we have a separate hot water tank, we sometimes require hot water for baths at random.
What's the consensus?
Good replies there. Thanks.
If I'm honest, I didn't think a new system would save me a great deal of money but I'm sure the turning off of the system during the day would help. I just don't want it to get so cold that it takes a while to heat up and the house isn't warm when wife and child get in. It shouldn't be too bad as we have good loft insulation, decent doors/windows and cavity wall insulation but some of the wild weather we get can cool a house pretty quickly if the heating is left off too long.
I like the thought of a programmable timer with set temperatures and judging by the comments, most people use a combination of the two.
If I'm honest, I didn't think a new system would save me a great deal of money but I'm sure the turning off of the system during the day would help. I just don't want it to get so cold that it takes a while to heat up and the house isn't warm when wife and child get in. It shouldn't be too bad as we have good loft insulation, decent doors/windows and cavity wall insulation but some of the wild weather we get can cool a house pretty quickly if the heating is left off too long.
I like the thought of a programmable timer with set temperatures and judging by the comments, most people use a combination of the two.
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