We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Best way to run a combi boiler?

Options
bigpat
bigpat Posts: 341 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
We have a combi boiler about 4 years old, with one of those circular timer switches where you push little bits in and out for 15 minute intervals. My wife, who does feel the cold admittedly, will generally pull LOADS of them out in one go, putting the heating on for three or four hours at a stretch, more during the cold spell earlier this year. I often sneak back in the kitchen and shove odd ones back in, say every fourth one, figuring we'll save 25% of the gas we would otherwise use and by the time she begins to feel even a slight chill, the boiler will be firing up again anyway.

She tells me off for this and says that my way uses MORE gas, because it's firing up all the time and it would use less gas if it was just "left on". That doesn't SOUND right to me, though. To my simple brain, ON means the burners are alight and using lots of gas, OFF (even for 15 mins) means only the pilot light is using a trickle of gas. Her theory is that the burners are using LOTS more gas during the "fire-up" phase, more than I'm saving in those 15 mins. Do boilers work like this?

And I don't need replies about woolly jumpers, thick socks, etc. Believe me, we have HAD those conversations:mad::mad::p. I just need some opinions on the boiler issue. And I would be happy to be proved wrong!! I'm trying to find the cheaper option, even if it means losing the argument. :o

Comments

  • dannymccann
    dannymccann Posts: 567 Forumite
    You are correct. The general misconception is what your wife thinks.

    As you put it perfectly, if its on its ON. If its off, its only on a little bit, so the more time its off, the more money you save, but the colder you are.

    Are you draught proofed and insulated? I dont get how women (especially) cna have the heating on for 2 hours then it goes off for 15 minutes and they start screaming cos its 'freezing'. Dont be silly
  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,059 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    There have been countless threads on this issue.

    You are correct - the longer the CH is off the cheaper.

    Ask your wife if she thinks it is cheaper to keep the kettle simmering all day because the 'fire-up' phase uses more gas(or electricity).

    Your wife is Wrong Wrong Wrong. However it won't stop this 'urban myth' of 'heating on constantly is cheaper' continuing.
  • penrhyn
    penrhyn Posts: 15,215 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Hi OP, do you have TRVs on your radiators or a room thermostat?
    BTW As far as I'm aware boilers have not had pilot lights for about 15 years.
    That gum you like is coming back in style.
  • bigpat
    bigpat Posts: 341 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for the replies folks. It's as I thought. Now I have to find a way of saying "I told you so" without rubbing it in.
    Ask your wife if she thinks it is cheaper to keep the kettle simmering all day because the 'fire-up' phase uses more gas(or electricity).
    Very good point. I like that line of argument!

    Are you draught proofed and insulated?
    More or less. It's a victorian semi, good windows and doors, but no cavity to insulate. Loft *pretty* well insulated but part of it is a conversion to a bedroom with the ceiling literally an inch or two from the roof tiles, so I'm not sure what we can do about that bit.
    do you have TRVs on your radiators or a room thermostat?
    Er...TRV's I think. Those twisty things numbered 1 to 5 at the bottom of the rads? (You can tell I'm technical right?;)) Yeah...I usually try to turn those down too. We don't have room thermostats.
    As far as I'm aware boilers have not had pilot lights for about 15 years.
    You're probably right. I just assumed there was one in there somewhere, but now that you mention it there's no little window to check, so there can't be one. I assume it's some kind of electric/electronic ignition then.
    they start screaming cos its 'freezing'. Dont be silly
    In fairness to the missus, she suffers from Raynaud's syndrome and her circulation is atrocious. Her fingers ache and look like they have NO blood in them, and they are white like a corpse. Ditto her feet, hence socks in bed even in this weather. I kid you not. I could go into the disagreements over the winter duvet but that's a story for another day. :rotfl:
  • lindos90
    lindos90 Posts: 3,211 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Found this link which your wife may find helpful (it is from a compensation solicitor, but dont let that put you off looking, as its got a list of tips on how to stay warm if you have RS)

    http://www.youclaim.co.uk/VWF/raynauds-disease-and-staying-warm-cheaply.htm
  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,059 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    bigpat wrote: »
    . Now I have to find a way of saying "I told you so" without rubbing it in.


    Don't be silly!

    Logic has no part to play in this situation
  • Froglet
    Froglet Posts: 2,798 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Care for a swap? My hubby is always turning the blasted heating up.I can't STAND being too hot so down it goes,even off if i think he won't notice...............:D
  • bigpat wrote: »
    In fairness to the missus, she suffers from Raynaud's syndrome and her circulation is atrocious. Her fingers ache and look like they have NO blood in them, and they are white like a corpse. Ditto her feet, hence socks in bed even in this weather. I kid you not. I could go into the disagreements over the winter duvet but that's a story for another day. :rotfl:

    Cant really blame her then, so fair enough if she feels the cold, unfortunate as it is
  • Owain_Moneysaver
    Owain_Moneysaver Posts: 11,392 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    When the boiler is on, once the house is up to temp it won't be running continuously but will be cycling on and off according to the room thermostat (if you have one) or the internal stat (if you don't have a roomstat). Also if it's a condensing combi it will run less efficiently at lower output to top-up the heat, than when running at full output to do the initial heat. So running the system continuously will use more gas.

    Silk gloves are the ladylike answer to cold fingers.
    A kind word lasts a minute, a skelped erse is sair for a day.
  • jaqi4
    jaqi4 Posts: 9 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    This can be a dreadful disease - I don't want to be alarmist but it is essential your wife is able to keep her fingers and toes as insulated and warm as possible
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.