Timer = 'false economy'?

TheBardWest

I was told by a friend that using oil fired central heating on a timer (hour in the AM and an hour in the PM, for example) is a 'false economy' vs. simply leaving the heating powered on at all times and controlled by a thermostat. The explanation being that when the house gets colder, the unit must work harder to heat the home up to the desired temp vs. the thermostat which will keep the home at close to desired temp ongoing.

This doesn't seem quite right to me, but thought I'd run it by you all...

DoneDL

Timer by itself is not efficient, no timer but a stat is lunacy, programmable room stat priceless:D

TheBardWest

I'm renting, so I can't install a programmable stat without landlord approval. For now we just have the timer (analog) and manual thermostat. Obviously, the stat is set to the proper room temp at all times, whether timer is on or off.

So is timer + properly set stat > stat alone or timer alone?

DoneDL

Yes that is the ideal setup, timer will call for heat based on the preset times but will be interrupted by the stat when the desired temp is achieved so turning off the boiler and saving your fuel:)

TheBardWest

One last question here: Does the stat only control the hot water being fed to the rads? Or does it control the whole boiler system? i.e. If the timer comes on, and the thermostat is set to, say 20 degrees, and the ambient temp is 20 degrees - will the boiler still come on to heat the water in the tank (e.g. for washing dishes, etc.)?

DoneDL

If its a single channel clock then no, if its a two channel clock with separate zone valves or a single valve (three port) with a stat on the cylinder then yes. What you probably have is a single channel timer with a balancing valve on the return from the cylinder so boiler operates and heats the cylinder as another radiator, in which case all you can do is operate the system as normal and top up using the immersion if needed.

ntpm

DoneDL wrote: »

If its a single channel clock then no, if its a two channel clock with separate zone valves or a single valve (three port) with a stat on the cylinder then yes. What you probably have is a single channel timer with a balancing valve on the return from the cylinder so boiler operates and heats the cylinder as another radiator, in which case all you can do is operate the system as normal and top up using the immersion if needed.

this concept was rarely used in Ireland but it is possible to have one timeclock output which can control heating and hotwater temperatures but it will do both at the same time.
Sequence as follows:
A. Timer comes on, power operates a room stat which operates a motorised valve which switches on the boiler.

B. Timer comes on, power operate a cylinder stat which operates a motorised valve which then switches on the boiler.

DoneDL is correct you will need to check if you two zone valves or one 3 Port diverting Valve. You might need to get in an electrician who understands heating controls to modify what you have.

However nowadays we are supposed to be able to control heating and hot water times independendtly.( we are trying to instill the virtues of the Building Regs Part L Energy Efficiency properly which were introduced 10 years ago):mad: