Which is cheapest?

peter_the_piper

I am arguing with MIL about the cost of her heating.
She has central heating in all rooms and separate gas fires in the kitchen and front room.

I say it would be cheaper to run the central heating more as its on thermostat and she says its cheaper to run the heaters when central heating goes off. Who's right?

victor2

Depends how much of the house the central heating is heating, compared to one room per gas fire.
Having one room toasty warm may work out cheaper than the whole house comfortable. Best way to find out is run some tests and take meter readings. Bit of a job though, as you really want to do it under similar weather conditions, and decide what is comfortable...

Pincher

Assume 7kW heat loss rate for whole house, 3.5pence per kWh for gas, 3.5p x 7 = 24.5p per hour.

Assume 2 kW electric heater at 15p per kW in one room only, 15p x 2 = 30p maximum per hour, but it will click off from time to time, so I would expect 24.5p per hour.

It's a TIE.

Agree with her, and tell her it's even cheaper to keep the heater off until she's turned blue. Visit after cold spell, have a nice furneral, inherit the house, and turn the central heating on full blast to celebrate having the final word.

peter_the_piper

Pincher wrote: »

Agree with her, and tell her it's even cheaper to keep the heater off until she's turned blue. Visit after cold spell, have a nice furneral, inherit the house, and turn the central heating on full blast to celebrate having the final word.

My MIL saw your comment, got out her rolling pin and asked where you lived. As she's 82 and does not drive I think your're safe.

peter_the_piper

Should not have mentioned the bill, she's gone round and turned all the heating and hot water off!! I've just saved her £250 by switching and she's still panicking. Not a problem for her, if the bill is too much the business just pays it.