Daily gas consumption

dharm999

We have the same issue, been told it’s due to a poorly insulted house.

The house was built in the 30s, stone construction, single glazed original metal and sash windows, high ceilings, so an absolute task when it comes to heating.  We replaced the very old Potterton boiler last year, with a 35kw system boiler and large unvented tank (300 litres I think).  Temperature on boiler set to 65 and on tank at 55.  Heating is on 3.5 hours a day at the moment, temperature set to 18 degrees.  Gas works out at 60kwh a day and electricity at around 17kwh a day.  We have a high base load (3 fridges, 3 freezers, etc..) so the usage is high.  We wear multiple layers of clothing rather than have the heating on more frequently as OH prefers a cooler environment (think large fans on both sides of the bed at max power all night, regardless of temperature).  We have loft insulation, probably not enough, and will be replacing windows with double glazed ones in the next few months, but being in a conservation area it’s not cheap, £50k to replace all of them, so a considered purchase.  Not straight forward to insulate walls as we would lose original features if we did it inside and doing it on the outside is not straightforward, so looking at other options, e.g. insulating render, draughtproofing, etc..

I got very bad chilblains last winter, so this time around will do whatever is required to stay warm and avoid them.  It wasn’t great, open sores, swollen fingers, almost got to the point of having to have my wedding band cut off.  

subjecttocontract

Are you sure you are reading Kwh ?
We found the best way for us to reduce gas usage was to get a job. Then we only need gas in the morning & evening when we are there.....40 to 50 Kwh per day for a large house.

FreeBear

dharm999 said: Not straight forward to insulate walls as we would lose original features if we did it inside and doing it on the outside is not straightforward, so looking at other options, e.g. insulating render, draughtproofing, etc..

Based on what others have told me, insulating plaster & renders are not really worth the expense. If you look at the specs on the stuff, to get any worthwhile improvement, you need an extremely thick layer.

Just having the windows replaced will make a massive difference - Got new windows throughout here (lower half, cavity walls, upper half, solid ~215mm brick). A huge improvement over what was originally fitted. Slowly insulating some of the walls upstairs, and whilst it makes a difference, it is no where near as great as the new windows.

I'd suggest living with new windows for a couple of years, and reassess if wall insulation is worth the extra expense.

dharm999

I’m hoping the new windows will make a big difference, especially as we are getting the metal windows done first and they are in the two rooms we use the most.  Had no idea how expensive DG metal windows would be, at least 50% more than DG wooden sash windows.

FreeBear

dharm999 said:  Had no idea how expensive DG metal windows would be, at least 50% more than DG wooden sash windows.

Crittall Windows are a premium product, and they can get away with charging a premium price. It gets even more expensive if you are having to replace windows in a listed building...

There are some changes in the pipeline for Building Regulations and windows. I think it is 2025, the minimum u-value is due to be cut again, and it is looking like triple glazing will be about the only way to achieve the target. Might be worth comparing the cost of triple & double glazed windows. If the difference in cost is not great, go for the higher performance and future proof yourself.