Will it save gas if i turn the boiler down?

terrylamps

Hi. I usually have the radiator dial (on the boiler) on 4 (max) and once the house is warmed up enough i turn the heating off at the boiler and then usually turn it back on within a couple of hours when it starts getting too cold again. In this weather the radiators have been on anything from 3 hours to 7 hours a day.

I just wondered, would i actually use less gas if i turn the radiators on max on the boiler and then when it gets warm enough turn the dial down to 1 instead of turning them off completely so i can have the heating on for say 9 hours straight instead of 7 broken hours?

Am i actually using more gas turning it on and off every couple of hours instead of just leaving them on but turning them down to 1?

Thanks

macman

Why don't you just control the temp using the room stat and TRV's as intended?
Everything else being equal, the longer the boiler is running, the more it will cost you.
But if you turn the output down to 1, then it will probably fire continually, as the flow temp will be so low that it will never get to the required room temp.
I'd run it on about 3/4 and use the programmer or timer and room 'stat to control it.

daaave

Boilers usually work more efficiently when they are working full pelt, set to a high temperature. However, if your boiler is fairly modern it will work pretty efficiently whatever temperature setting, so turning it off for periods of time may not really be worth the effort.

If I were you, I'd invest the time/effort in sealing draughts, or putting another layer of insulation in your loft.

terrylamps

Hi, we don't have one of those room stat things to control the temperature. Only got the controls on the boiler and the actual radiators. Going of your reply i'm guessing it would be better just to switch them off completely rather than turn them down (it was too warm even when i turned the boiler down to 2).

terrylamps

Hi, we do get alot of draughts in the hall way. Going to hang a thick curtain behind the door and get OH to seal up any draughts. It is a fairly new boiler, but i was just hoping it wouldn't cost any more by keeping the radiators on for longer periods but turning the boiler down to 1. I hate just going from warm to cold all the time

Ben84

terrylamps wrote: »

Hi, we do get alot of draughts in the hall way. Going to hang a thick curtain behind the door and get OH to seal up any draughts. It is a fairly new boiler, but i was just hoping it wouldn't cost any more by keeping the radiators on for longer periods but turning the boiler down to 1. I hate just going from warm to cold all the time

I'm surprised you have a fairly new boiler and no thermostat. Anyway, your boiler should have the potential to have a thermostat fitted so I would take advantage of it and get one installed. Then you can just set the heating and it does everything for you.

macman

Room 'stats and TRV's have been required under new installs for several years now under the building regs. A modern system without at least a room 'stat is crazy-get one fitted as a priority.