Central Heating Left On.

[maggie01]

Is it cheaper to keep central heating on constant. There doesn't seem to be positive answer. Some say yes and some say put it on timer. Any thoughts

[bookbinder]

I did an experiment some years ago along those lines. One winter, we had the heating on timed (on/off 2x a day), the next winter we left it on 24/7, but turned the room thermostat down to about 16-17 when we were out, and up to 18-21 when we were in. At night, we turned it down to 17-18 degs. It worked out cheaper to leave it on 24/7, probably because on/off 2x a day meant that the boiler (gas) had to fire for a long time to warm the house up from stone cold. With it being on 24/7, the house is warm(ish) all the time, and the boiler isn't firing for long periods.

[giveup]

Don't know the answer,but left mine on last night. My brother leaves his on all the time and his bills are no worse than ours.( Our houses are roughly the same size)

[marje]

Ours is left on all the time.

[mazie]

This weather we leave our on all the time. Turn the thermostat down before we go to bed.. Not a lot of difference in our heating bill to be honest

[rockyracoon]

Mine's on constant at the moment, I don't know what temp but the knobs only a quarter of the way round. My gas fitter pal reckons it's cheaper, I've never compared so I'll just have to take the bill on the chin if it's not.

[ummmm]

It depends what type of central heating you have. I think combi boilers are best put on timer.

[Prudie]

I've been leaving ours on all day when I leave for work this week without OH noticing - for the cats!

[chrissa1]

I always leave mine on all the time in the winter and just control it with the thermostat. I agree with bookbinder.

[daffy654]

We always turn ours off as it is more difficult for me to sleep in a stuffy, warm bedroom with my lung condition, also we can hear the boiler firing through the night and it is quite annoying.

[Zacs-Master]

Probably no conclusive answers due to there being too many variables eg
Is your boiler efficient
Is hour house insulated well
Is it new or old (related to the above but not the same)
Is it detached
Is it subject to cold winds

[shihtzublue]

My house is about 22yrs old. Cavity wall insulated. recently renewed loft insulation.
I have just had a combi boiler installed. Not much else I can do really.

Like you Prudie. I have a dog who is getting on in years and it's warm for her.

This is the first year I have left it on as my old boiler had a large water tank which kept firing up to reheat the water so I will have to wait for the bill to see.

Put some extra cash aside just encase.