Radiators / saving energy

[Mojooo]

Another radiator question

Am I right in thinking with a central heating system - the boiler just warms up the water in the pipes. This water is already in the radiators. This then causes the radiator to get warm

I have turned off a few radiators in our house because no one goes into those rooms so there is no point heating them up if it costs extra money....

But if the water is getting hot in the pipes I presume that turning of the radiators doesnt actually save me any money? because heating up the radiator isnt doing much more than releasing the already hot water from the pipes into the radiator?

[Mojooo]

oh also, what temp do you guys have your radiators set to at the actual boiler?

[Harpo]

I have done the same as you.
The boiler heats the water IN the boiler and an electric pump moves the water out from the boiler around the pipes to the rads.
Cooler water from the pipes replaces it in the boiler, like a circuit.

Because some rads are turned off then the boiler is heating less water.
I think that you are indeed saving money.
A bit like only filing the kettle a bit for one cup of tea!
Damn, I need some tea and toast now!

[Simpo Two]

Mojooo said:

But if the water is getting hot in the pipes I presume that turning of the radiators doesnt actually save me any money? because heating up the radiator isnt doing much more than releasing the already hot water from the pipes into the radiator?

No, it's all to do with surface area. When the hot water goes through the radiator it loses a significant amount of heat; just going through the pipes it doesn't because the surface area for radiation is cut by about 99%.

If the room is cold then you are using less energy

Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 28th January 09:46

[mk1fan]

The question has already been answered so I'll just suggest this. Don't turn the rads off completely as this will help maintain a background temp. TRV's are really useful for achieving this. A surprising amount of Condensation, Damp and Mould problems are caused by not heating a room.

The temp doesn't need to be very high - 10 to 15 degrees.

[Ferg]

Simpo Two said:

When the hot water goes through the radiator it loses a significant amount of heat;

11-14 degrees.