turning off combi bolier to save energy?

redballoon_2

Hi all.

i am wondering if it is more energy saving to turn our combi boiler off during the day when we are both at work and then turn it on when we need hot water? (for central heating, its not on as yet tho! and when we want a shower)

thanks

Magentasue

This has been covered (prob on Gas and Elec board) and I'm pretty sure consensus was to leave it on. Can't remember if this was because savings too small to worry about or if it was a safety/maintenance issue.

A_fiend_for_life

I would take daily readings and compare. Leave it on for a fixed amount of time in the morning and evening. Try it for a number of days so you get a reasonable average though.

I would say turning it off is more efficient.
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penrhyn

A Combi boiler only fires up when you turn your hot water tap/central heating on.
The power it consumes on standby is minimal, they don't have pilot lights any more, and the electronics won't consume more than a few watts.
What is more important is adjusting your central heating controls, room thermostat, TRVs timer so that you are not wasting energy, when you need your central heating.

pmorrisjones

My plumber says it is cheaper to switch it on and off as required.

Curley

pmorrisjones wrote: »

My plumber says it is cheaper to switch it on and off as required.

What, in relation to a combi boiler? Read the post above yours, a combi only fires up on demand.

Pssst

Quite true,though some combis have pre heat facilities whereby it fires occasionally to preheat the boiler thus giving a faster response when you turn the tap on. Again others have a small reservoir tank of hot water that gets pre heated. Depends on make and model. I'd leave the heating off and only turn it on when required. Modern systems heat up quickly. Better to spend money on insulation or even better controls such as TRVs anticiptors etc