Does Switching Off A Combi Boiler Save Money

croboy

Hi,

We have a relatively new combi boiler and my dad taught me just to leave the hot water on all of the time. I was wondering does it save much gas to switch it off and only switch the water on before i need it for the bath/dishes??

Also-i have a pull cord for my electric shower-does leaving that on 24/7 use more electricity??

penrhyn

The whole point of a combi boiler is that it only comes on to heat your water when you turn on a tap. At other times its dormant. Modern systems don't have pilot lights that use a little gas. The only energy you will be consuming is a small amount of electricity to the control circuits, probably less than a watt.
The same applies to your electric shower, although in that case I'd switch it off at the wall as a safety measure.
If yo want to save a little more money(as you have mains pressure hot water) you might want to consider getting rid of the electric shower and replacing it with non electric Mira type.http://www.mirashowers.com/onlinecatalog/shower_overview.jsp?cat=Mixer+Showers

jennifernil

I would agree with the above post.

Froglet

I had a combi boiler installed 2 years ago when our old boiler was past it's sell by date! I was not too sure if i was doing the right thing but 2 years on i am certain it was the right decision.I have definitely saved on my gas bills.And you never have to worry about preheating water for a bath.Invaluable when you have a family who wants constant hot water!The only thing I do miss is the airing cupboard that housed my tank,it used to be great for drying clothes off .

croboy

"The whole point of a combi boiler is that it only comes on to heat your water when you turn on a tap"

But if theres hot water available immediately from my taps is that not constantly being heated and re-heated as you dont have to wait for it to hot up??

penrhyn

No, its heated on demand, just like an electric shower does.

Just to confirm, you have mains pressure hot water? You don't have a hot water storage tank?
BTW Whats the make and model of your boiler, as its possible you have a Condensing Boiler, which is not the same thing as a Combi.

Wig

But it could be a condensing combi. I think the best thing here is for OP to say make and model of boiler. and to say if they have a big copper tank which is full of hot water in one of the cupboards in the house. (Which is what Penrhyn said).

OP a combi boiler (if it is one) automatically turns on when you open a tap and water begins to flow. the water passes through the now 'on' boiler gas flames and is heated up immediately, the water comes out the tap hot. when you shut the tap the flow of water stops the boiller switches off.

You will know it is a combi because every time you open & close a hot tap the boiler will ignite and switch off. i.e. it will click and then make a big rumble noise.

cpu

Froglet wrote:

The only thing I do miss is the airing cupboard that housed my tank, it used to be great for drying clothes off .

My wife was concerned about this when we got rid of our hot water tank too. The heating installers put a tiny radiator in the cupboard when they took the tank out so there was still warmth. I didn't realise you could get radiators so small, but it is very effective.

Clothes dont get dried in there, but it's very good for slightly damp stuff and for drying your towel etc. Loads of space for an airer now the tank has gone.

Agree with Wig, more information is needed before a proper answer can be given.