Whats more efficient/cheaper to run?

Bexm

Hi

I am trying to work out what's the cheapest way of using my oil boiler?

We recently had a boiler service and the engineer turned it up to max and we didn't notice and we wondered why we were suddenly roasting hot! Now we can't decide whether we should change the timer to leave it on for a shorter time but keep it on max, or turn it back down?

Our house retains it's heat reasonably well..

I know there are questions vaguely like this around but they tend to say about leaving it on constant on low or short bursts on high but I'm talking an hour on high vs 2-3 hours on low?

Anyone got any input here?

Thanks

Bex

System

My first port of call would be the boiler manual. You also do not say what controls you have in your home. I assume that there is a timer and a hall thermostat? Do your radiators have TRVs?

In most situations, the boiler temperature is turned up in Winter and reduced slightly in the Summer if water heating is the sole requirement.

Bexm

We have no hall thermostat, but do have a timer. The boiler has a hot water setting and a heating setting, both 1 -5.
Each radiator has its own thermostat thingy but the majority are pretty useless and either are on full or practically off, number 3 seems to act as an on/off switch on them. These are relatively new (5ish yrs) but can't say I've ever lived anywhere where they actually work properly. (we've only been in this house 6 months)

System

I cannot comment on your boiler but TRVs do work. They usually have settings that range from * to Max. You will need to Google your type of TRV to find out how the settings match temperatures. If a TRV isn't working then there are 2 possibilities: i. the head needs replacing or, 2, the pin in the body has stuck. Remove the TRV had and press on the pin with something like a piece of wood. It should depress when pushed and move upwards when released. If it is stuck DO NOT welly it with a hammer - call a plumber.

I have electronic TRVs and I can assure you that TRVs do work and then will save you energy costs if set and used properly. Clearly, as you have no thermostat, then the TRVs are an important part of your heating system control.

CashStrapped

What is the make and model of your boiler?

If it is a condensing boiler then it is generally advised to run the heating at the lowest possible temperature that still heats your house effectively.

The reasoning behind this, without going in to too much detail, is that it enables the boiler to run at its most efficient, by being able to recover heat from the waste exhaust. As I said, this depends on the age of your boiler and if it is indeed condensing.

I suggest you get a cheap fixed or wireless thermostat which a qualified boiler engineer will be able to connect to your boiler. This will ensure the boiler turns off once the rooms are up to temperature. The boiler will only turn back on of the room temperature drops again.

http://www.plumbcenter.co.uk/product/center-radio-frequency-programmable-room-thermostat/

This is a good and cheap wireless thermostat. It is a re-branded honeywell.