Is this economical?

RustyLuso

Hello

We have the heating on from 7pm-10pm, but would like it on earlier now that the nights are drawing in. Is it a) economical and b) not harmful to the system to have the heating on for half and hour, off for half an hour, on for half an hour, and so on? We thought this might allow us to have the house warm over a longer period but not use any extra gas, is this right?

Cheers!

Andy_WSM

RustyLuso wrote: »

is this right?

Cheers!

No.

No one can really answer your question as it depends upon insulation levels, room temperatures, efficiency of the heating system etc.

The only thing that is certain is that the longer the boiler is burning gas or oil or whatever your fuel source (not the same as the amount of time the heating is switched on) the more it will cost to run.

sam.4000

If you have the heating on and off half an hour at a time the radiators would cool down so when the boiler kicks in again it will have to heat them back up rather than keeping them at the same temperature. This might not really be a money saving idea as you would use more energy in the half an hour it was on.


I do think turning it on earlier would be a good idea and off earlier but it depends when you are in the house. I have only just today set mine on timer ( off till this weekend) for 5-6 just to warm the house up.

matelodave

Change your thermostat for a programmable one which will allow you to vary the temperature for different times during the day, they also have the advantage that each day can be different as well. If you need a boost then the programmable stat will revert to it's programmed functions so you don't forget that it's been tweaked.

Some also have holiday functions which allow you toturn the heating down whilst you are away and the heating comes back when you are due to arrive home.

A basic programmable stat can cost less than £40-50