MSE Energy saving tips

caveat_emptor

One tip is that if you have a combi-boiler, turn the flow temperature down. But to maintain given room temperature the lower temperature water would have to be on for longer. So where's the gain?

BUFF

If you have a condensing boiler it improves efficiency (as long as the boiler is able to condens so return temp less than 55C) so a longer, lower run is more efficient & results in less gas consumption.

sandy700

I have discovered that when my combi boiler comes on in the morning the flow temperature goes up to 59 deg C then slowly drops before the boiler switches off then throughout the day, at intervals up to an hour the next time it comes on the flow temperature never goes above 39 deg C until the thermostat switches off for the night at 23:30.

So most gas is used in the first hour of the heating coming on.

The next experiment is to leave the thermostat set at the same setting 24 hours a day so that the flow temperature will never go above 39 deg C 24 hours a day.
I've not done this yet because it's not cold enough to even have the heating on all day.

kingkano

This is an often mentioned tip to save gas.  But do check your boiler and controls as some can do it automatically for you.  My 8 year old Vaillant boiler was installed with a Vaillant wireless controller and it has an option to control the flow temperature dynamically.  This means it uses a high flow temp to initially heat things up when it's really really cold, then reduces it as the rooms reach temp, and then uses a much lower flow temp to keep the house at a steady temperature.  Thereby reducing overshooting, reducing stop start of the boiler and potential cycling blocks, whilst also being in condensing mode more and reducing gas usage!