Central Heating - Cheaper on all the time?

footprints_2
footprints_2 Posts: 9 Forumite
in LPG, heating oil, solid & other fuels
Is it cheaper to keep your heating on all of the time? This way the boiler doesnt have to re heat? Would it have to be kept on a low heat all of the time? :o
«13456

Comments

  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,036 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post Rampant Recycler
    This has been covered many many times on this forum.

    It is not cheaper to keep the boiler on all the time. The longer your boiler is off, the lower your bill.

    Do a search on this forum or read the Energy Saving Trust.
  • simongregson
    simongregson Posts: 875 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    Think of it like, would it be cheaper to leave the kettle on all the time?

    The answer then seems obvious!
  • footprints_2
    footprints_2 Posts: 9 Forumite
    Great thanks for the responce. That does seem obvious...just people we know do it! Is there anyway of finding out how much more it cost?
  • tomstickland
    tomstickland Posts: 19,538 Forumite
    First Post Combo Breaker
    You'll find that some people swear blind that it saves them money. They usually say "you don't waste energy heating a cold building". If you hear this ask them if they'd leave the heating on if they went away for six months, because then they'd not have to heat up a cold house when they got back.
    Happy chappy
  • footprints_2
    footprints_2 Posts: 9 Forumite
    good point..but I wonder if there are any factual ways of finding the answer out?
  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,036 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post Rampant Recycler
    The factual way of finding out the answer is to read and understand the laws of physics.

    Or ask on this forum and get people who know what they are talking about to answer.

    Or if you think the laws of physics are wrong
  • tomstickland
    tomstickland Posts: 19,538 Forumite
    First Post Combo Breaker
    It's pretty simple TBH. The basic rules of thermodynamics, as emperically derived and accepted as true over centuries of research are required.

    Heat flow is proportional to temperature difference between the heat source and the sink.

    The rate of heat flow from the building is proportional to the temperature difference between it and the outside. If over a day the building is left to cool then the total amount of heat released into the outside world will be less than if the building is kept at an elevated temperature.

    The total amount of heat lost per day will be proportional the summation of the time multiplied by temperature difference.

    Turning the heating off when out will allow the house to cool and this will
    Happy chappy
  • footprints_2
    footprints_2 Posts: 9 Forumite
    Thanks..umm I dont think I understood all of that..

    So should I let it re heat twice a day or keep it on all day?:o
  • itsnotfair_2
    itsnotfair_2 Posts: 345 Forumite
    Never mind *footprints* some people just think they know everything. lol.
    I'm with the leave it on low all the time brigade.:T
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,446 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    itsnotfair wrote: »
    Never mind *footprints* some people just think they know everything. lol.
    I'm with the leave it on low all the time brigade.:T

    What's low and how high are your bills?
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 607.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173K Life & Family
  • 247.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards