Cheapest way to keep house warm. Heating on when cold or keep at a set temp

Chrysalis

BUFF said:

Chrysalis said:

Dolor said:

Chrysalis said:

Am I the only one here who has central heating without a thermostat?

I wonder how many just turn it up to a number rather than seeing what they can tolerate whilst wearing multiple layers of clothes.

Have a read if this link:

https://www.beama.org.uk/static/3908603b-f725-4301-b72a6d1bad8d6f8f/19334c40-7c85-4180-91d4891606e01cff/Saving-energy-with-heating-controls-householder-guide-Final-draft-3.pdf

The tests were carried out in Salford University’s Test House.

It didnt show what i was expecting to see.

My boiler does have temperature controls, but its just a 1 2 3 4 and the ability to go in between numbers, so it still goes on and off to meet a target temperature instead of just been constant full blast, by no thermostat I meant nothing on the way with temperature targets set so more like blind adjustment.

The article seems to just be a basic confirmation that by adding the ability to control temperature it saves energy?

Your boiler temp controls will be controlling the temp of the water leaving the boiler but they won't be controlling the boiler in terms of shutting off the boiler when the room(s) reach the desired room temp. & then bringing it back on when it cools below that. Whilst I am sure that can be done manually a room 'stat will do a better/more consistent job & be more convenient (you won't have to keep going to the boiler).

I have run a system without a room 'stat (but it did have TRVs) & now have one with a room 'stat (class IV) +TRVs. Used properly the room 'stat makes a significant saving - for most people (depending upon your consumption & what you fit) it will pay for itself easily over it's life especially at 10p/kWh for gas.

Fair enough.  I dont use central heating much so probably didnt notice that.

Alnat1

Qyburn said:

We don't have a sensible place for a single thermostat so we don't have one. 

What do you mean by no sensible place? My room thermostat is on the side table by the sofa. I could take it to the spare bedroom if I was using that as an office.

Qyburn

Alnat1 said:

What do you mean by no sensible place? My room thermostat is on the side table by the sofa. I could take it to the spare bedroom if I was using that as an office.

There's no room that is always heated but doesn't have something else going on.  For example the sitting room would switch off the whole system when the stove is lit. Similarly the temp in the kitchen varies when we're cooking. Common areas like the landing or the hall are essentially unheated so although I could fit a thermostat there as a weather over-ride, it wouldn't actually control the heating.

knightstyle

DD has the lowest heating bills I have ever seen, £0 PA...   She has a flat above a disabled, housebound lady who heats her flat to about 25c all the time. My daughter has to open windows even in winter to keep the heat down.  She never has the heating on.
I think I will be looking for a similar flat when I downsize!

[Deleted User]

Coffeekup said:

[Deleted User] said

Each to their own but I set temps for time zones as a baseline and just tweak +/- 1C when needed:

11 pm - 5:30 am set at 16C for overnight, rarely comes on except on a few super cold days - my house is well insulated.
5:30 am - 8 am at 20C for the workers getting up and out
8 am - 5 pm at 18C - some of my family are in my house all day but as they are awake they can dress as required/keep active to stay warm or manually tweak it up a degree or two if feeling cold.
5 pm - 11 pm at 20C for comfort in the evening until bedtime

I am considering knocking 1 degree off given the energy prices this winter and an hour off the evening heating.

For me it makes no sense to heat the house for X amount of hour's so everyone can enjoy that heat for a 20-60 minute trip from the bed to the front door, only to go outside and feel the cold that much more because you turned up the heat.
As you're house is well insulated I'd be turning down the heat from 5-11pm to 5-9pm as the temperature will very slowly decline by 11pm.
I'd also set the over night temp to 14*C as everyone is in bed and it's well insulated.

I live in a house where having the heating on its highest setting all day won't get it above 16*C. You acclimatize to these temperatures, I go round people's house's who have set their temperature's as you have and I find it uncomfortable, if I'm there long enough 2 or so hours there is a good chance I'll be drowsy or even snoozing.
I only turn the heating on for a few hours in the evening only (5-7pm) and maybe a hour or two during the day in the coldest day's if we at home. But we will watch TV with a throw or blanket over us and be more than comfortable 

As you say each to their own

So on reflection, I think you are right, I've always been on the side of having a comfortable house in the past when energy costs weren't as significant. Cheaper to buy some blankets and jumpers for around the house now.

I'm going to trim it back a bit as you suggest, especially the 11pm, but I do like getting into bed when it is still warm.

Having said that, noticed somebody on this thread said their heating came on this morning, mine didn't even though it was 8C outside overnight, the thermostat was reading 19.5C so even though I'd set it to 20, as a "smart" thermostat" it decided not to put the heating on which is pretty good. 

When I came home tonight the heating had been on at some point, "kids"  (18+) had left the back door open all day for the dog to wander in and out like they do all summer, time for that to stop.

lisyloo

I would recommend a heated mattress protector for your bed.
i just bought a double for £50 with dual controls.
they are very energy efficient.