Gas heating - on constantly or timer?

factoryworker

as prev posts have suggested its a balance; we all want to be efficient and save money, but health first; personally i think if you are happy at 17C, your always going to have low(ish) gas bills, so you don't need to worry; if youve good insulation, if it was on constant it would rarely kick in; the problem is when its on constant at 21c as it will be on more than off; however I would set the boiler to come on for about an hour around 2 a.m. when the temp drops drastically for the baby; if your rads have thermostatic Radiator valves (TRV's) utilise this in babys room and minimise in other rooms; you do not say whether it is an old/new or combi boiler; do check the water temp (is the water too hot too touch when run?); if so turn this down (particularly iportant if you have a water tank); if you have a modern bolier/rads with TRV's I would use boiler first, gas fire second and oil/electric heaters as a very last resort; do note the Gov't reccomends: A healthy indoor temperature is around 21°C. There is small risk of health effects below 19°C.- (particularly for elderly/young/those with ill health)

Cardew

As said above, I just cannot envisage anyone sitting in a living room with the temperature at 17C(62.6F).