Gas Fire versus Central Heating

kriss_boy

I know there are many variables but do you think it is cheaper for the wife and I to make a point of spending some cold days in the lounge with the gas fire on... in favour or putting the central heating on in a few rooms?

We tend to huddle up some nights in that room and just use the gas fire. But is it likely to be saving us?

Could I simply stick the central heating on and turn down the thermostats in some of the empty bedrooms etc.

macman

The fewer rooms you heat, the cheaper it will be.

southcoastrgi

gas fires are classed as back ground heat

wonderwallet

I just use the gas fire in the evenings - I did some meter readings last year and it worked out far cheaper than to run the central heating in just a few rooms. Saying that, my heating system is old and inefficient and the radiator in the living room never gets really warm, but the gas fire is very efficient and heats the whole room nicely even on a low setting (plus you feel warmer and cosier because of the flames!)

CFC

As a matter of course I turn down thermostats all the time in any unused room eg study and spare bedroom. The spare bedroom is not used at all in the winter so the rad is on the lowest setting, and only on the lowest rather than completely off because there are two outside walls and I don't want it to get damp/condensation
I run the heating on because I like to be toasty when I go to bed or bathroom too.
I would be certain though that a gas fire in one room would be cheaper to run.