Any cental heating engineers on here???

[Fazed]

If so, I've got a query for you.

I had my heating system replaced a few years back with an Icos Condensing Boiler, new rads with T.R.V's, digital timer/programmer, and roomstat, etc. I used to set the timer so that the heating would kick in for a couple of hours morning and night, and if it got really cold I would override it for a few hours.

Now, I've had two engineers give me two conflicting answers on this question: Is having it on 'timed' for a few hours a day the most economical way of using it, or is it better to have it on constantly and just have it tripping on and off with the roomstat?

Any ideas???

 

[runnach]

If you're at home all day, and it's cold, then having on all day is fine, you are there to appreciate the heat you are paying for.

If for example, very cold, on for 2hrs morning, then you leave house for work, have heat OFF till timer clicks to ON early evening. If you're out and heat is on, kinda like having the kettle on all day heating water till you return.

Others may have a different view?

 

[Hitch]

I would think the efficiency of your house would play a big part, double glazing, insulation....

 

[kingkenny]

if you have it on constantly on the roomstat,it will only fire up when the stat calls for heat,timed cycle you will only use the same amount of gas day in day out,until you call for extra heat,it depends how good your property is insulated,myself i would say timed mode.

 

[Fazed]

Obviously, when me and the Mrs are both out, it's on 'timed'. Having the heating on when at work would be wasteful.
Since the start of December when it started to get bloody cold, I've had it on constant. The house is pretty well insulated, double glazing, etc, and the roomstat is never above 18 degrees C, which I think is quite low but the house never feels cold. My mates house is always on 25 degrees C and it's like stepping into Barbados! Waaaay too hot for me (think of the cost ).

 

[Sam]

If so, I've got a query for you.

I had my heating system replaced a few years back with an Icos Condensing Boiler, new rads with T.R.V's, digital timer/programmer, and roomstat, etc. I used to set the timer so that the heating would kick in for a couple of hours morning and night, and if it got really cold I would override it for a few hours.

Now, I've had two engineers give me two conflicting answers on this question: Is having it on 'timed' for a few hours a day the most economical way of using it, or is it better to have it on constantly and just have it tripping on and off with the roomstat?

Any ideas???

I find heating water one hour in the morning and one in the evening is suffice if working during the day or if at home all day put on for an extra hour in the afternoon.
I run under floor heating on the lower level and radiators up stairs. The radiators are only switched on morning and evening one hour in the morning and 3 hours in the evening I have young kids hence the three hours at night.

 

[..DAZ..]

My personal preference is on timed as well, couple of hours in the morning and then again before getting home from work. I try my best to have the stat at 18 but the other half keeps turning it up instead of putting a jumper herself or the kids. If I know its going to be a cold night I will leave it on for longer but turn the stat down a degree or two. The only way to really find out which is more efficient is to measure the amount of gas/electric/oil used on both methods.

daz

 

[Luke]

I'd think of the house as a leaky bucket, trying to maintain the same level of water in the bucket whether you want it or not will use more water.

That's how I see it, anyhow.

 

[the snooper]

a simple test would answer your question if you will be staying in all day take a gas meter reading before it first comes on and again when you switch of last thing.
then the same test with it on a couple of hours morning and night as you mention the end figures will speak for themselves.
switch off when your out dont pay the gas company for nothing

 

[kingkenny]

mrs kenny winds ours up to max,then asks me if im cold sitting in shorts/t shirt with sweat running from my brow.

 

[Shox Dr]

Any ideas???

Yes. Run it when you need it, and only when you need it.

Oh and the Heating engineer who saying it's cheaper to run it all the time. Clearly charges too much.

 

[KTMMICK]

a simple test would answer your question if you will be staying in all day take a gas meter reading before it first comes on and again when you switch of last thing.
then the same test with it on a couple of hours morning and night as you mention the end figures will speak for themselves.
switch off when your out dont pay the gas company for nothing

This sounds like the best way to answer your question, me personally in the cold weather we used to leave it on all day but turn the stat down a few degrees.......then when we came back in turn it up.

If your house is well insulated it should not use too much, you are only maintaining the temperature. It is the same scenario with leaving the water on..........six and two threes. I personally used to leave mine on, heating used to keep water hot but then moved to a flat with storage heaters so left the hot water on.

 

[Tigman]

You have TRV`s aswell so you can regulate each room individually !

try the gas meter reading see what happens !

 

[Justme]

When you come back in in the evening is it cold in the house before the heating comes on?


The leaky bucket is a good description.

If the bucket is dry when you get in, then you have saved cos more water (heat) would have been leaking out.

But If the bucket is still nearly full of water (heat) then leaving the heating will be ok.

Some controllers can use a set back heat setting for "off peak" times. Other can even check the weather outside & choose which is best after they have been working in your house for a while & it learns how quick it heats up & cools down.