Is this gas used about right?

matelodave

A lot would depend on how long it takes for the house temperature to recover but you could reduce the running cost by making sure that the boiler is running efficiently, mainly in its condensing mode rather than cycling on and off.

Most people have their boilers running at around 60-70 degrees whereas running it at nearer 50-55 would enable it to stay condensing for a lot longer. Although the consequence could be that it takes a bit longer for the house to get up to temperature.

Although it sounds a bit counter-intuitive to run the heating for longer, but a lower temperaturet will use less energy as it is running more efficiently.

Compare it with driving smoothly at 50mph instead of 70-80, it may take a bit longer to get to your destination, but you'll save a lot of fuel by driving a bit more sedately and you don't have to keep speeding up and slowing down.

It may not be as easy to see with a gas boiler, but If I run my heatpump 5 degrees higher than it needs to be, then the consumption increases by around 12.5% because it's working harder and starts cycling rather than just chuntering along gently

Auti

matelodave said:

A lot would depend on how long it takes for the house temperature to recover but you could reduce the running cost by making sure that the boiler is running efficiently, mainly in its condensing mode rather than cycling on and off.

Most people have their boilers running at around 60-70 degrees whereas running it at nearer 50-55 would enable it to stay condensing for a lot longer. Although the consequence could be that it takes a bit longer for the house to get up to temperature.

Although it sounds a bit counter-intuitive to run the heating for longer, but a lower temperaturet will use less energy as it is running more efficiently.

Compare it with driving smoothly at 50mph instead of 70-80, it may take a bit longer to get to your destination, but you'll save a lot of fuel by driving a bit more sedately and you don't have to keep speeding up and slowing down.

It may not be as easy to see with a gas boiler, but If I run my heatpump 5 degrees higher than it needs to be, then the consumption increases by around 12.5% because it's working harder and starts cycling rather than just chuntering along gently

How would I find out what temperature it is set to? And how would I change it if needed? Your analogy is good.

matelodave

have a shufti at this - page 3 https://library.plumbase.co.uk/flipbooks/RE/idiche15_22387_t/mobile/index.html#p=4

Auti

matelodave said:

have a shufti at this - page 3 https://library.plumbase.co.uk/flipbooks/RE/idiche15_22387_t/mobile/index.html#p=4

Thanks for that. So first mark (min) = 30 degrees. So mark 2 is approx 40 degrees, mark 3 is approx 50 degrees, mark 4 = 60 degrees approx, mark 5 = 70 degrees approx and mark 6 (max) = 82 degrees. This means the pointer on the dial needs to be between mark 3 and 4 to get 50 - 55 degrees. At present it is at mark 4 so I will move it down a little and see how it goes. Thank you for your help.