completely stupid question

sunrise27_2

This is probably a really stupid question but I just want to check something - I live in a four bed detached house and with heating bills going sky high I'm looking to save money - when I'm home on my own just really using one room am I right in thinking I'd be better off just using an electric convector heater rather than turning the gas central heating on and warming the whole house ??

rogerblack

Depending on the insulation, probably.
You would probably save more if you have thermostatic valves on radiators by adjusting all the ones but the room you are in to a very low level.
Also, electric blanket/throws/... are _enormously_ cheaper than any other form of heating. (well, except jumpers)

macman

Bear in mind that electricity cost about 3.5 times more than gas per kWh.
But why don't you just turn off (or down) the valves or TRV's in the unused bedrooms and living rooms etc? You will still be using your boiler for heating hot water presumably?

Cardew

macman wrote: »

Bear in mind that electricity cost about 3.5 times more than gas per kWh.
But why don't you just turn off (or down) the valves or TRV's in the unused bedrooms and living rooms etc? You will still be using your boiler for heating hot water presumably?

This question is posed frequently on MSE and gets the same(sensible) answer as given by macman above.

Is it really a problem to switch off radiators in unused/unoccupied rooms?

sunrise27_2

probably didn't explain myself very well - in the evening everyone is home from work etc so the other rooms need to be warm as they're all used but often during the day its just me at home so I've been putting on an electric convecter heater in the room I'm using - I'm assuming that would be cheaper than switching on the central heating system and heating the whole house
the heating goes on properly later in the day ready for everyone else to come home

flea72

You explained yourself perfectly. What people are suggesting is it will be cheaper to have your central heating on, but turn the heat off in rooms you aren't using. That's assuming you have trvs on your rads

Yes it's a faff to turn them off in the morning and back on again ready for the families return, but it's still cheaper than running the convection heater

F

sunrise27_2

I haven't got thermostatic valves on my radiators

flea72

sunrise27 wrote: »

I haven't got thermostatic valves on my radiators

Prob worth getting some installed then, because it will give you more flexibility in all rooms, which will bring your consumption down even more

F

oldtractor

I think all family members could do with getting used to wearing jumpers and thermals.

sunrise27_2

are they expensive to get fitted ??
and trust me old tracor I am very sparing with the heating - we all have fleecy blankets and wear jumpers - just because i'm asking advice about the heating doesn't mean I have it on 24/7 at the moment
we had double glazing fitted last year and loft insulation put in but i'm certainly not going to sit here freezing if I don't have to

Pincher

http://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/radiator-valves/

You should have manual wheel head valves, which allows you to turn any radiator on or off LABORIOUSLY.

You can drain the system and replace them with TRVs, which automatically maintain the temperature you set. This still entails you going round at 9am switching all the TRVs off (except one), and then on again at 5pm.


http://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/pegler-terrier-i-temp-wireless-programmable-radiator-valves/


"The I-Temp Terrier is a programmable radiator control created to save you money by offering room by room temperature control."

It replaces the top half of a conventional (not powered) TRV with a programmable (needs batteries) version. It's what you asked for, but it will just confuse residents and visitors alike.


UFH
===

For your next big renovation, consider under floor heating, which inherently gives you per room control, with programming.



Obviously, you will go for the no cost option, and just turn on/off manually. Next summer, drain the system and put in TRVs.