Best way to run Central Heating?
Discussion
Chaps,
Some of you will have noticed it's a tad parky outside right now.
It's a smidge nipster inside as well ... we run our central heating for about an hour and a half in the morning, so it's warm when we get up, and an hour and a half in the evening, so it's warm when we come home. Mrs zcacogp and I are out of the house most days (work), and hence there is no need to keep it warm during the day. However, we occasionally work from home, and that's when you notice it's cold.
A friend was suggesting that it's cheaper to run the central heating all the time, at a low temperature. Is this true? FWIW, it's a new combi boiler, around 6 months old. And the house is a draughty old Georgian terrace. (You can just about see it in my profile pic.) There is no room thermostat, but the boiler has a thermostat on the radiator circuit.
So, what's best? Heating on fairly wamr twice a day, or on continuously at a low temperature?
Answers on aice cube postcard - thanks.
Oli.
Some of you will have noticed it's a tad parky outside right now.
It's a smidge nipster inside as well ... we run our central heating for about an hour and a half in the morning, so it's warm when we get up, and an hour and a half in the evening, so it's warm when we come home. Mrs zcacogp and I are out of the house most days (work), and hence there is no need to keep it warm during the day. However, we occasionally work from home, and that's when you notice it's cold.
A friend was suggesting that it's cheaper to run the central heating all the time, at a low temperature. Is this true? FWIW, it's a new combi boiler, around 6 months old. And the house is a draughty old Georgian terrace. (You can just about see it in my profile pic.) There is no room thermostat, but the boiler has a thermostat on the radiator circuit.
So, what's best? Heating on fairly wamr twice a day, or on continuously at a low temperature?
Answers on a
Oli.
Our house has 9 inch solid brick walls (built in 1932) and I've tried both methods. For our house we found what you currently do it a lot more efficient than leaving it on all day.
If you had a modern house with very good insulation, leaving it on woul dprobably do better.
Also, turn the radiator temperature control on the boiler to the max. It will make the radiators red hot but as a result you'll heat the house quicker. Turning the temperature control down does not use any less gas (thats what I was told by the plumber who installed it)
If you had a modern house with very good insulation, leaving it on woul dprobably do better.
Also, turn the radiator temperature control on the boiler to the max. It will make the radiators red hot but as a result you'll heat the house quicker. Turning the temperature control down does not use any less gas (thats what I was told by the plumber who installed it)
Goochie said:
Also, turn the radiator temperature control on the boiler to the max. It will make the radiators red hot but as a result you'll heat the house quicker. Turning the temperature control down does not use any less gas (thats what I was told by the plumber who installed it)
Not what my gas bills tell me 
marctwo said:
We were advised by a heating engineer to run it in the morning, then for an hour at midday, and then in the evening. This stops the temp dropping too low during the day meaning it's less effort to heat it back up again in the evening. This is in a Victorian Terrace.
Same for me. But, the dial on my boiler is 1-10. Currently set to 7. Is it more efficient to have it set on 10 in order to speed up heating the house, (meaning the boiler automatically switches itself off) or leave it on 7 and let the house heat up more gradually?Ours goes on for two hours in the morning and for two hours in the evening.
It doesn't get all that cold during the day as it's a modern well-insulated house.
Also - our house goes from dead-cold (no heat) to warm and comfortable in under half an hour. From not-so-cold (i.e. the normal daily situation) it is warm in fifteen minutes or so...
That tells me it's probably better to switch off the central heating when no-one is home...at least in our house.
It doesn't get all that cold during the day as it's a modern well-insulated house.
Also - our house goes from dead-cold (no heat) to warm and comfortable in under half an hour. From not-so-cold (i.e. the normal daily situation) it is warm in fifteen minutes or so...
That tells me it's probably better to switch off the central heating when no-one is home...at least in our house.
you can also fit thermostatic valves on each rad. about a fiver each from screwfix.
i've got a georgian terrace and its does get bloody cold sometimes. i find the best way for me is to only heat the rooms i know i will use and turn the therms to zero on the others. only had the heating on 3 nights so far though as i'm a northerner and thus dead hard. pansy
i've got a georgian terrace and its does get bloody cold sometimes. i find the best way for me is to only heat the rooms i know i will use and turn the therms to zero on the others. only had the heating on 3 nights so far though as i'm a northerner and thus dead hard. pansy
DOnt fit thermostatic valves to all the rads as your boiler will require a minimum flow (which, it wont get if all valves are closed)
EDIT: I'm killing time this afternoon and have found thsi: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.htm...
with this being of particular relevance:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?...
EDIT: I'm killing time this afternoon and have found thsi: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.htm...
with this being of particular relevance:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?...
Edited by Goochie on Friday 31st October 16:29
Edited by Goochie on Friday 31st October 16:31
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