Help!!! Energy Bills

BUFF

Coffeekup said:

I had an ideal boiler fitted 4 years ago replacing a 22 year old biasi boiler. L Anyhow after having it fitted the installer said wow it's 98% efficient, not many you see above 97% he said, and went on his merry way. I was hoping it would save me a 25% on my gas usage over the year, especially as it was marketed as more efficient etc etc.
Anyhow after taking meter readings over the next 8 months and comparing them with the previous year's I could quite clearly see that it made little to no difference at all. 

They are only "up to X efficient"  if run & controlled properly i.e. flow & return temperatures set to actually allow the boiler to condense most of the time (typically return under 55C, lower better) & used in conjunction with e.g.programmer, room stat. & TRVs. Many heating systems are not set up properly.

If you were coming from a non-condensing boiler then doing so should allow for significant savings (especially if you use the better controls to also alter your behaviour). If you were coming from a boiler that was already a condensing one then, yes, the new one may be more efficient but only incrementally e.g. "up to 98%" but coming from perhaps "up to 90 or 92% ".

Imperial1847

BUFF said:

Coffeekup said:

I had an ideal boiler fitted 4 years ago replacing a 22 year old biasi boiler. L Anyhow after having it fitted the installer said wow it's 98% efficient, not many you see above 97% he said, and went on his merry way. I was hoping it would save me a 25% on my gas usage over the year, especially as it was marketed as more efficient etc etc.
Anyhow after taking meter readings over the next 8 months and comparing them with the previous year's I could quite clearly see that it made little to no difference at all. 

They are only "up to X efficient"  if run & controlled properly i.e. flow & return temperatures set to actually allow the boiler to condense most of the time (typically return under 55C, lower better) & used in conjunction with e.g.programmer, room stat. & TRVs. Many heating systems are not set up properly.

If you were coming from a non-condensing boiler then doing so should allow for significant savings (especially if you use the better controls to also alter your behaviour). If you were coming from a boiler that was already a condensing one then, yes, the new one may be more efficient but only incrementally e.g. "up to 98%" but coming from perhaps "up to 90 or 92% ".

Is it easy to check what temp the boiler is running at?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

is your boiler like THIS, knob A controls temp.

Imperial1847

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

is your boiler like THIS, knob A controls temp.

It is, I'll have a look, I'm pretty sure it will be set to Eco.

Alnat1

I have a similar boiler, I have knob A at around "11 o'clock" which is fine for heating our water tank for 40 minutes a day over summer (does a couple of showers and some left for cleaning etc)

I will turn it up when the weather gets really cold this winter but I'm only going to do it gradually unless we get a mini ice age.

Imperial1847

[Deleted User] said:

The_Fat_Controller said:

You don't even need to go "smart", a simple battery powered wireless thermostat will work, mine allows 6 setting periods per day.

When I was working I programmed the thermostat for my next set of shifts and left it to its own devices.

Relying on an internet connection is fine as long as you have a stable connection.

Yes this is what I use, an ESI make - very neat piece of kit and not expensive.  Usually stays in lounge during the evening  (esp in winter).  No wiring needed from the boiler to thermostat.  Only wiring from boiler to receiver unit.

https://www.esicontrols.co.uk/assets/esrtp4rf--esi-tech-sheet-web.pdf
 

Did you need an electrician to wire this or was it a DIY job?

[Deleted User]

Imperial1847 said:

DerwentMailman said:

The_Fat_Controller said:

You don't even need to go "smart", a simple battery powered wireless thermostat will work, mine allows 6 setting periods per day.

When I was working I programmed the thermostat for my next set of shifts and left it to its own devices.

Relying on an internet connection is fine as long as you have a stable connection.

Yes this is what I use, an ESI make - very neat piece of kit and not expensive.  Usually stays in lounge during the evening  (esp in winter).  No wiring needed from the boiler to thermostat.  Only wiring from boiler to receiver unit.

https://www.esicontrols.co.uk/assets/esrtp4rf--esi-tech-sheet-web.pdf
 

Did you need an electrician to wire this or was it a DIY job?

That particular control will only work if you have a boiler that is capable of running under Opentherm control.

https://www.esicontrols.co.uk/assets/esrtp4rf-_installation-instructions_web.pdf

Imperial1847

[Deleted User] said:

Imperial1847 said:

DerwentMailman said:

The_Fat_Controller said:

You don't even need to go "smart", a simple battery powered wireless thermostat will work, mine allows 6 setting periods per day.

When I was working I programmed the thermostat for my next set of shifts and left it to its own devices.

Relying on an internet connection is fine as long as you have a stable connection.

Yes this is what I use, an ESI make - very neat piece of kit and not expensive.  Usually stays in lounge during the evening  (esp in winter).  No wiring needed from the boiler to thermostat.  Only wiring from boiler to receiver unit.

https://www.esicontrols.co.uk/assets/esrtp4rf--esi-tech-sheet-web.pdf
 

Did you need an electrician to wire this or was it a DIY job?

That particular control will only work if you have a boiler that is capable of running under Opentherm control.

https://www.esicontrols.co.uk/assets/esrtp4rf-_installation-instructions_web.pdf

Its an Ideal boiler how would I find out?

Alnat1

Try the manufacturer's website