Energy bill increases

[PaulSB]

Mrs P suggested we would need to watch our energy usage more carefully when our current tariff ends and we get in to next winter. Our consumption is very low in the summer months and she was talking of gas CH.

I began an experiment three days ago turning the thermostat down by 2⁰ and shortening the on/off period by 30 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes at lunchtime and 30 minutes in the evening. I haven't told my wife and she hasn't commented.

I've approached it this way so if my wife suggests we make changes next autumn/winter I can point out we've been at lower temperatures for months. If my wife knew I'd dropped the thermostat by 2⁰ she would be cold.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Mrs P suggested we would need to watch our energy usage more carefully when our current tariff ends and we get in to next winter. Our consumption is very low in the summer months and she was talking of gas CH.

I began an experiment three days ago turning the thermostat down by 2⁰ and shortening the on/off period by 30 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes at lunchtime and 30 minutes in the evening. I haven't told my wife and she hasn't commented.

I've approached it this way so if my wife suggests we make changes next autumn/winter I can point out we've been at lower temperatures for months. If my wife knew I'd dropped the thermostat by 2⁰ she would be cold.

I can;t do that - we have a clock with a thermometer on it in the lounge
however, in spite of the weather, we have cut down how often we use the heating during the day - possibly due to her new 'lounge wear' that I gave her for Christmas which is quite thick
I normally wear a jumper in the house in winter - but apparently this is just weird!

 

[geocycle]

Just been on my providers website looking at what new tariffs are available . Standard tarrif is currently projecting over £3k in usage . The two fixed rates they are offering are eye watering! Over £6k on each one !! With the price caps changes still to go on I believe it’s utter crazy stuff . My DD energy is going to be double my mortgage payment !

Yes, we just sorted ours, the variable rate was about 10% above current dual fuel bill, the fixed for a year was 50% more and the fixed for two years 70% more! Of course the variable rate will go up enormously in April. We went for a 12 month deal. Fortunately for us the total for offset Gas and green electric is much less than you are paying.

 

[mjr]

I can;t do that - we have a clock with a thermometer on it in the lounge

Can you calibrate it differently?

Anyone who hasn't got it yet, check whether your heating can or could be upgraded to do "weather compensation", lowering the radiator temperature as the outdoor temperature rises. Savings range from 8 to 25% depending on who's reporting it because it takes less energy to warm the water and it cools less quickly. All the rage over on the mainland. I think it's required on all new boilers in some countries.

 

[Scaleyback]

Can you calibrate it differently?

Anyone who hasn't got it yet, check whether your heating can or could be upgraded to do "weather compensation", lowering the radiator temperature as the outdoor temperature rises. Savings range from 8 to 25% depending on who's reporting it because it takes less energy to warm the water and it cools less quickly. All the rage over on the mainland. I think it's required on all new boilers in some countries.

I was always led to believe that the CHB Stat (that controls the water temp) was at it's most efficient when used at the 'upper reaches' of the temp range, this is assuming you have room temp stat (or stats) Hotter boiler temp = hotter rads = quicker warm up to room stat setting = quicker boiler shutdown. Not advised if you have stored hot water without individual cistern thermostat as the domestic hot water will get dangerously hot. Hmm, i guess this may also apply to 'Combi' boilers ? which are very popular these days. Personally, I have never had a 'Combi' always a airing cupboard with a hot water cylinder.

 

[mjr]

I was always led to believe that the CHB Stat (that controls the water temp) was at it's most efficient when used at the 'upper reaches' of the temp range, this is assuming you have room temp stat (or stats)

Why does stat efficiency matter? Any gains in stat efficiency will be wiped out by boiler inefficiency.

Hotter boiler temp = hotter rads = quicker warm up to room stat setting = quicker boiler shutdown.

= more fuel burnt to go at 90 instead of 40 = yoyoing room temperatures, usually.

Not advised if you have stored hot water without individual cistern thermostat as the domestic hot water will get dangerously hot. Hmm, i guess this may also apply to 'Combi' boilers ? which are very popular these days. Personally, I have never had a 'Combi' always a airing cupboard with a hot water cylinder.

Not so much combi but I think it's only possible with modulating boilers. I could be wrong on that, though.

 

[MrGrumpy]

I was always led to believe that the CHB Stat (that controls the water temp) was at it's most efficient when used at the 'upper reaches' of the temp range, this is assuming you have room temp stat (or stats) Hotter boiler temp = hotter rads = quicker warm up to room stat setting = quicker boiler shutdown. Not advised if you have stored hot water without individual cistern thermostat as the domestic hot water will get dangerously hot. Hmm, i guess this may also apply to 'Combi' boilers ? which are very popular these days. Personally, I have never had a 'Combi' always a airing cupboard with a hot water cylinder.

I think there maybe a tipping point with setting a high temp at the CH boiler stat ? As in you maybe able to drop it down a few degrees with minimal loss in heating up. Less gas used to reach set temp

 

[Scaleyback]

= more fuel burnt to go at 90 instead of 40 = yoyoing room temperatures,

I guess you have a point ? Running your boiler stat at 40 degrees will probably stop " yoyoing room temperatures "
The room will probably be cold 'all the time '

 

[Alex321]

I guess you have a point ? Running your boiler stat at 40 degrees will probably stop " yoyoing room temperatures "
The room will probably be cold 'all the time '

If it is, then your house insulation is not good.

While I wouldn't go quite as low as 40, because I want hot water from the tap to be hotter than that, it would be warm enough for radiators to heat the rooms decently, and would be much more fuel efficient.

 

[Scaleyback]

If it is, then your house insulation is not good.

While I wouldn't go quite as low as 40, because I want hot water from the tap to be hotter than that, it would be warm enough for radiators to heat the rooms decently, and would be much more fuel efficient.

If you do not have independent control of domestic hot water temperature your central heating system must be antiquated and desperately inefficient compared to a modern condensing / Combi boiler.

 

[Alex321]

If you do not have independent control of domestic hot water temperature your central heating system must be antiquated and desperately inefficient compared to a modern condensing / Combi boiler.

Even some condensing boilers only have one water temperature setting, though ours is indeed antiquated and not a condensing boiler - I imagine it is still the original boiler from when the house was built in 1998.

 

[Scaleyback]

Even some condensing boilers only have one water temperature setting, though ours is indeed antiquated and not a condensing boiler - I imagine it is still the original boiler from when the house was built in 1998.

All condensing system boilers only have one water temperature setting ! Independent control of domestic hot water comes from a thermostat affixed to the hot water storage tank. This thermostat controls the 'motorised' 3 way valve. When the temperature set on the hot water storage tank thermostat is 'satisfied' the water flow thru the tank is cut off. This allows high temperature water settings on your boiler stat without dangerously hot water from your hot water taps.

Your earlier comment about 40 degree temp water from your taps ! Your domestic hot water needs to be set at a minimum of 60 degrees
or you are at risk from Legionnaires' disease
Suggest you read this:- Legionnaires' disease

 

[fossyant]

I can;t do that - we have a clock with a thermometer on it in the lounge
however, in spite of the weather, we have cut down how often we use the heating during the day - possibly due to her new 'lounge wear' that I gave her for Christmas which is quite thick
I normally wear a jumper in the house in winter - but apparently this is just weird!

This is going back a few years, but a mate at work always had a battle with his partner over heating. It was that 'hot' in the house, he was walking round in shorts and a t-shirt in the middle of winter - he said 'it's winter, why is the heating on so hot'. He 'lost'.

 

[Alex321]

All condensing system boilers only have one water temperature setting ! Independent control of domestic hot water comes from a thermostat affixed to the hot water storage tank. This thermostat controls the 'motorised' 3 way valve. When the temperature set on the hot water storage tank thermostat is 'satisfied' the water flow thru the tank is cut off. This allows high temperature water settings on your boiler stat without dangerously hot water from your hot water taps.

Your earlier comment about 40 degree temp water from your taps ! Your domestic hot water needs to be set at a minimum of 60 degrees
or you are at risk from Legionnaires' disease
Suggest you read this:- Legionnaires' disease

My comment stated I wanted it hotter than 40 degrees. I have no need to read that.

 

[Scaleyback]

If it is, then your house insulation is not good.

While I wouldn't go quite as low as 40,

Your actual words which suggests you probably do need to read that. However I understand your irritation.
My objective was to help you not irritate you. I will leave you alone to 'blunder on' now.