What is best way to heat

from_atozinc

Hello

I have an oil boiler in the house and essentially all of our heating is done via radiators.

We have a gas fire also but don't really like that.

It is a fairly big 2 storey house and we are renting it.

We also have 2 children under 2 and mammy is at home for alot of the day.

What is the most effective way to run the heating.

Is it to turn it on for an hour at a time something like this schedule

03:00 - 0400
07:00 - 08:00
12:00 -13:00
15:00 -16:00
19:00 - 20:00
22:00 - 23:00


Or am I doing it all arse ways.
Any advice welcome.

Wearb

A lot depends on your insulation and controls. What is the BER for the property ? Is there room thermostats and zone valves ?

Anyway, experiment with times and don't have any "on time" period less than an hour long.

Normally best control would be to keep at least one room comfortable during occupation. Keep other rooms warm as needed. Also lower temperatures are usually fine during the day when everyone is moving about and higher when just sitting around.

from_atozinc

Wearb wrote: »

A lot depends on your insulation and controls. What is the BER for the property ? Is there room thermostats and zone valves ?

Anyway, experiment with times and don't have any "on time" period less than an hour long.

Normally best control would be to keep at least one room comfortable during occupation. Keep other rooms warm as needed. Also lower temperatures are usually fine during the day when everyone is moving about and higher when just sitting around.

Ah tis a basic enough setup.
In the hot press there is a switch that totally turns off or on heat in either floor.

Then on the radiators there is the knob to turn the heat up or down.

Don't know the BER, just a rental so I don't think they are obliged for that.

That's interesting about having no on time less than an hour.

Wearb

from_atozinc wrote: »

Ah tis a basic enough setup.
In the hot press there is a switch that totally turns off or on heat in either floor.

Then on the radiators there is the knob to turn the heat up or down.

Don't know the BER, just a rental so I don't think they are obliged for that.

That's interesting about having no on time less than an hour.

I think landlords are legally obliged to provide a BER

The hour on is not a hard and fast rule, just a good idea.

from_atozinc

I suppose the hour thing makes sense though.
I would say the BER is not great though, tis hard enough to heat. (but in our case beggars cant be choosers)

With my above way of things, the heat is on for 6 hours in a 24 hour period. But I don't know if the on off/ on off thing is just bad

rolion

On my very well insulated house I keep day time from 8 to 5 at minimum of 18".
While people in the house,from 5ish to morning I setup on 20" as now in winter.Rads are ok,boiler on mark 4 and 50 degrees.

"Secret" with boilers and radiators is to keep them running warm most of the time (keeps rooms warm but not cold) and just give a boost when you need warmth in the house.
Study says that 1" difference makes big difference.Also my boiler works better when specific manufacturer working parameters are reached.I guess it applies to you / to all...

Cycling on / off or trough big variations of temperature is not going to save money or run the system/boiler efficient.Not talking about your own comfort cold/warm/hot in different rooms...

from_atozinc

rolion wrote: »

On my very well insulated house I keep day time from 8 to 5 at minimum of 18".
While people in the house,from 5ish to morning I setup on 20" as now in winter.Rads are ok,boiler on mark 4 and 50 degrees.

"Secret" with boilers and radiators is to keep them running warm most of the time (keeps rooms warm but not cold) and just give a boost when you need warmth in the house.
Study says that 1" difference makes big difference.Also my boiler works better when specific manufacturer working parameters are reached.I guess it applies to you / to all...

Cycling on / off or trough big variations of temperature is not going to save money or run the system/boiler efficient.Not talking about your own comfort cold/warm/hot in different rooms...

Thanks. Attached is how I have my old school timer set up. Is this silly ?

The house does not seem to be well insulated.



And I just have a stupid twisty dial on boiler to control temperature which is not very exact. 2nd attachment. No way of knowing exactly what the temp is.

I have my own bought temp gauges in each room though.

from_atozinc

from_atozinc wrote: »

Thanks. Attached is how I have my old school timer set up. Is this silly ?

The house does not seem to be well insulated.



And I just have a stupid twisty dial on boiler to control temperature which is not very exact. 2nd attachment. No way of knowing exactly what the temp is.

I have my own bought temp gauges in each room though.

Any comments on my timer setup ?

lulzordan

Is there a reason to turn it on at 3am?

I usually have it on for an hour before waking up, an hour before getting back home and then for 2-3 hours during the evening while I'm sitting around at 20

from_atozinc

lulzordan wrote: »

Is there a reason to turn it on at 3am?

I usually have it on for an hour before waking up, an hour before getting back home and then for 2-3 hours during the evening while I'm sitting around at 20

Well it kinda gets cold for them 8 or 9 hours overnight. So that 3am thing is to not let things get too cold I suppose.