Best way to set heating

Tusky

Hello!

I'm looking for the most energy-efficient way to operate the heating in our small two-bed house. We have a gas combi boiler and a two-zone system, upstairs and downstairs. We have a thermostat upstairs and another downstairs. We don't have Hive or anything like that, so we can't operate the system remotely. The radiators have 5 heat levels, which are all set to 5.

At present, we barely use the thermostats. They are set to 22C or 23C. The heating is set to come on for 30 minutes in the morning and then 90 minutes in the evening. We also boost it for one hour downstairs or upstairs when we feel cold.

My question is - would we be better off setting the heating to be on constantly with the thermostats set at 20C? Or would that cost a fortune? Also, should the radiators be set at 3 or 4 instead of 5, or does that matter?

Thanks in advance.

magicbastarder

leaving them on permanently at 20C sounds like madness, if you currently have it on for three hours a day.

are your rooms actually at 23C, do you know? that sounds warm.

Tusky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122658936#Comment_122658936

Rooms are not at 23C - I just set it like that to ensure that the boost works when we press it.

Upstairs is currently 20.4C and downstairs is 20.8C.

Leaving it on constant at 20C does sound like madness - the only reason I considered it is because I read a comment on Reddit about how it's more energy efficient, as heating the house from a colder temperature takes more power.

magicbastarder

yes, it takes more to heat a house from cold than it does to maintain a house at 20C - but here's an analogy; if you make three cups of tea a day, do you think you're better off boiling the water for three cups of tea as required, or leaving the kettle on the boil all day?

Capt'n Midnight

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122659551#Comment_122659551

How long does it take for your house to get cold again when the heat is turned off ?

Unless it's a very long time you should only turn on the heat when you need it. Gas is the same price whichever hour you use it, electrical heating may be more cost effective if you have storage heaters or immersion at night.

ted1

for sleeping Its recommend to keep the heat at 15.6 -20 degrees .if you can vary the temperature set it to 16 for when you are asleep

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122664281#Comment_122664281

Or..turn it off when sleeping.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122664311#Comment_122664311

it’ll turn off when the house reaches 16 degrees…… as I said the recommend sleeping temperature is 15.6 - 20.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122664312#Comment_122664312

A reasonably insulated home and a decent duvet should negate any need for heating on at all while asleep. Timer to turn it on in the morning and off you go.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122664368#Comment_122664368

maybe you are not used to a smart thermostat.
if the house has all those , the temperature shouldn’t fall below 16 , so the heating won’t be called for.

Smart thermostats like the Nest or similar don’t have “On “options. What you do is set the desired temperature

NewClareman

The simplest option is to replace your current thermostats with timed thermostats. This allows you to set different temperatures at different times. You would then leave your existing timers switched on permanently. I had this setup for years, in our previous house.

In our current house we have smart TRV's on each radiator, only heating individual rooms when we need to. That is a big step up in terms of efficiency. If your current radiator valves are compatible with the smart TRV's installation is straightforward. I use the Honeywell Evohome systems, many others are available. You'll get a lot of information on these systems on the Home Automation Forum.

magicbastarder

if your home heating system doesn't have an 'off' option, i'd be worried. you don't need to keep your house at 16C if you're not in it.

(mine does, bar a 5C floor for frost protection)

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122664437#Comment_122664437

who’s said anything about keeping it at 16 when empty ?

NEST has an away function which knows when you are a way so wont call for heat other than for frost protection