Energy myth-busting: Is it cheaper to have heating on all day?

t0rt0ise

This debate goes on and on and with those who think it's obvious to turn off heating most of the time being totally obnoxious to the others.

When I lived in a house next door to an exact replica we compared our heating bills. I kept mine on constantly all day, off at night between about 11 and 6, and he used his a few hours in the morning and a few in the evening. My bills were smaller.

new_owner

This thread is amazing :eek:. I cannot believe how long its lasted.

This is not rocket science.

A good guide http://www.plumbingpages.com/featurepages/Heatloss.cfm to hopefully sort this out.

How are people working out what insulation to use and how thick/much/type??? if not the same principle.

[Deleted User]

grahamc2003 wrote: »

I can give some up to date info on ashp costs, with the latest quote yesterday.

14kW Ecodan, £10.5k (includes new tank, and all work, plus another 3 grand for wet system

15kW Dimplex, £9k, ditto

14kW Ecodan, £10k, lowered to £9.5k due to other quotes.

Also got a quote for a rhi qualifying wood burner, was around £1.6k, since rhi £3.5k, ex fitting or anything else.

Appreciate a PM if you know anyone who could quote £5k for the above!

Well the 14kw EcoDan is about £4300 inc Vat delivered from Mits. Obviously not including tank and controls. Depending on existing pipe sizes/rads can add to the significantly especially if you have a wife that likes designer rads! Not only that power has to be in place to.

I only got it that price as all was in place for it already so was a simple install.

Your a very smart guy so see what work you can do in advance to reduce costs. e.g. install a base for the Ecodan, ensure power is in place, install larger rads if correct bore is already in place, offer to remove all waste, flog waste copper for profit...

Cheers

Cardew

rgn007 wrote: »

I'm sorry, but I disagree on turning your heating off is cheaper.

I was a mum at home, doing an Open University degree that included science, environment, health etc

I think the Energy agency have not considered everything in their "research" as my home experiments clearly showed I use less energy overall if I never turn off my heating but leave it at a low core heat of 12 to 15 degrees when the house is well insulated.

My boiler is often not in use even though it is never switched off and my annual gas consumption in a 3 bed semi is £42.

Welcome to the forum.

An annual gas consumption in a 3 bed semi of £42 is really excellent!

Did you get your Open University degree?

alice-edmund

1) read your meters every month and graph them to see what is happening
2) get a cost plug gadget - this showed our fridge and freezer used loads of electricity - it was well worth changing to more efficient models - these units are on ALL the time; you can not switch them off
3) one of the hidden costs of central heating is the pump - if you are going to run it all day get an efficient pump fitted; my old one was 100W; the new one uses 11W; really old ones use 200W or more - it adds up
4) a reliable old boiler is cheap even if it is not as efficient; change it when it breaks down as they're dear
5) a dehumidifier dries clothes well AND keeps the heat in the house unlike a tumble drier - but the clothes line is still best
6) halogen oven seems to be quite efficient and also warms the kitchen

wantanswers

1) read your meters every month and graph them to see what is happening

Good idea, although I would recommend at more frequent intervals. Apart from that if you submit meter readings monthly to your supplier they keep them for you.

2) get a cost plug gadget - this showed our fridge and freezer used loads of electricity - it was well worth changing to more efficient models - these units are on ALL the time; you can not switch them off.

Most suppliers now provide (free) a device that monitors your electricity 24/7 that's linked with your PC. It gives a good indication of Elec. Loads. They are also easy to fit.

3) one of the hidden costs of central heating is the pump - if you are going to run it all day get an efficient pump fitted; my old one was 100W; the new one uses 11W; really old ones use 200W or more - it adds up

The heating pump load is very small in comparison, but if you feel its cost effective to change then by all means.

4) a reliable old boiler is cheap even if it is not as efficient; change it when it breaks down as they're dear

Agree. Possibly though only when its beyond economical repair

5) a dehumidifier dries clothes well AND keeps the heat in the house unlike a tumble drier - but the clothes line is still best

Don't know. Sorry my wife just tells me the clothes line is best.

6) halogen oven seems to be quite efficient and also warms the kitchen

Agree.

Newway

As someone coming to this country for a PhD in physics, I started to
wonder if I have make a huge mistake...

wantanswers

Newway wrote: »

As someone coming to this country for a PhD in physics, I started to
wonder if I have make a huge mistake...

Thank goodness for that, it all helps to keep the numbers down!

wantanswers

Just for interest:

My heating is currently set 24 hours.

At 9.30 last evening I turned my stat down to 17 C
At 8.30am today I set my stat at 20 C

At 11 am today from 9.30pm last evening I have used according to my meter

Gas ...... 32 kwhr.
Elec...... 4 kwhr.

Outside temperature current is around 2 degrees last evening it was zero for most of the night.

At present the house is very comfortable re Temperatures.

@ Post 144 Terry.

Thanks again for that info (mass) Terry it got my old brain box thinking again

Cardew

wantanswers wrote: »

Just for interest:

My heating is currently set 24 hours.

At 9.30 last evening I turned my stat down to 17 C
At 8.30am today I set my stat at 20 C

At 11 am today from 9.30pm last evening I have used according to my meter

Gas ...... 32 kwhr.
Elec...... 4 kwhr.

Outside temperature current is around 2 degrees last evening it was zero for most of the night.

At present the house is very comfortable re Temperatures.

It may be of interest but what is the relevance?