Stupid, Stupid Question Re Oil Boilers

[bednobs]

hi i have an oil fired combi boiler. The oil is getting low but we are moving soon, so as the minimum elivery is 500 litres, i'd rather try to eke it out. Anywayif you have the shower on hot but less hot than usual, would you use less oil?

[bednobs]

ps if anyone could think of great ways to conserve oil,let me know. I already am boiling a kettle to wash up

[The Builder]

Yes, Beds, but I think the saving would be minimal. A couple of other things would help a little....

Turn the boiler off completely (electricity supply -probably a wall switch.) When on, even if just set to HW only, the boiler will keep coming on to top up its internal "reservoir". The downside to this is that when you turn it back on to shower, it will take a bit longer to reach the required temperature. Of course this would increase oil demand in itself, so it's just a compromise.

Also, rather than turn the shower temp down, turn the HW thermostat down on the boiler itself. They are usually set at around three quarters. Try it at a half instead.

[bednobs]

thanks Builder. We have one of those talking tank apparatus and it's now on 1 (the readings go from 1-9 then F) on 120 litre tank so does that mean when it goes down to 1 we have 120 litres left?

[The Builder]

No idea I'm afraid, Beds. The only one I've used just rings the oil company when it needs filling.

It'll be much bigger than 120 litres though.

Give me the make and model of the monitor and I'll try to find out.

[bednobs]

sorry it's 1200 litres of course :)

[PankySmooch]

Have you not got a viewing pipe on the front of the tank to tell you how much oil you have?
If not, dip a broom handle to the bottom of the tank and see how far the oil marks it

[jennyjoan]

If you want to eke the oil out - wouldn't use it at all and use your immersion heater for your water. Half an hour of immersion gives you plenty for short showers and a wash up of your dishes. That's honestly what I would do. Years ago people told me to use the immersion would be pricey but I found it to be untrue. You can always pay a small electric bill instead of the large oil bill.

[bednobs]

i don't have an immersion heater though ...

[Canary42]

Cold showers

[bednobs]

no, it really is an on demand oil combi methyl - no tank

[EDDIE51]

You can buy 5 and 25 liter containers of heating oil from a garage near me.
Just use a few of those to top up. It is sold as Kerosine , the farm shop sell it as well.

[EDDIE51]

Or just get some diesel fuel in a container and put that in!

[EDDIE51]

Yes diesel fuel and central heating oil are the same thing
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3128984

[bednobs]

really? I don't want to muck up the boiler

[EDDIE51]

Yes no problem diesel and heating oil are virtually indistinguishable , diesel has a higher quality control standard so it is like 'super' heating oil.Only Problem is that diesel has more tax than heating oil, if there is a supplier near you you can use 'red diesel' that has no tax, fine for heating but do not put it in you car. It will not harm a diesel car but as there is no tax on it the inland revenue will be after you. Diesel or Kerosene ( the old fashioned Paraffin) will work perfectly in your heating oil tank as will cooking oil. We used kerosene in my daughter's oil tank last year when she could not afford to pay for 500L of heating oil in one go. 100 litres kept the boiler going for over a month.