Have you been leaving your heating on 24/7 in this big freeze?

spinningsheep

Well now the temp has gone back to the heady heights of a whole +3 degrees, the heating is back on timed. Shame, it was lovely having the house so toasty! I guess it's because the fabric of the walls etc never had chance to cool much, but I cannot afford the extra gas cost over an extended period

schrodie

After returning home a week last Monday from a weekend away when the temperatures were very very low to no hot water and a frozen cold water cistern in the loft we've had our heating on 24/7 albeit as low as our vintage boiler can go. The heat has gradually built up to a very warm 24degC in bedrooms and 25degC in lounge as we've no room thermostat (yet!!)

Now that the temperatures are above freezing we'll revert back to a timed CH regime but that frozen pipe episode did somewhat worry us.

2011_will_be_debt_free

24/7 using the thermostat at 10-15 degrees. I dont see the point of going back to timed tbh as it will still only come on if the temperature dips below that setting? There have been times I have turned it down to 5 degrees at night and when out (due to cost) but other than that its usually 10degrees when out/in bed and 15degrees for a while when Im in at night.

Only thing I'm worried about now is that I have a seperate setting for hot water and I havent been using it for weeks! I couldnt really afford it so just used kettle to wash dishes etc and I have an electric shower. I suppose if I put the hot tap on to run (without heating the water first) and I hear the tank re-fill with cold water it should be alright to heat the water? any plumbers here to advise? worried now...
I was just assuming that if the place didnt go below 5 degrees then the pipes couldnt freeze but I suppose the tank is colder in the loft?

Just Iv heard that if left to freeze then the whole tank can empty/burst up there from heating it....NOT something I can afford!

dannymccann

2011_will_be_debt_free wrote: »

24/7 using the thermostat at 10-15 degrees. I dont see the point of going back to timed tbh as it will still only come on if the temperature dips below that setting? There have been times I have turned it down to 5 degrees at night and when out (due to cost) but other than that its usually 10degrees when out/in bed and 15degrees for a while when Im in at night.

Only thing I'm worried about now is that I have a seperate setting for hot water and I havent been using it for weeks! I couldnt really afford it so just used kettle to wash dishes etc and I have an electric shower. I suppose if I put the hot tap on to run (without heating the water first) and I hear the tank re-fill with cold water it should be alright to heat the water? any plumbers here to advise? worried now...
I was just assuming that if the place didnt go below 5 degrees then the pipes couldnt freeze but I suppose the tank is colder in the loft?

Just Iv heard that if left to freeze then the whole tank can empty/burst up there from heating it....NOT something I can afford!

You will probably find your loft is the warmest room in the house, depending on your insulation due to the fact heat rises so probably wouldnt worry about your tank freezing...

2011_will_be_debt_free

dannymccann wrote: »

You will probably find your loft is the warmest room in the house, depending on your insulation due to the fact heat rises so probably wouldnt worry about your tank freezing...

Well I have left the loft hatch open so that the air could circulate, so maybe your right, I hope so anyway

spinningsheep

At the moment, my living room is up to 20 degrees with the coal fire ticking over nicely, so heating is OFF. Will put it on low tonight when some guests pop over for a drink or 2.