Central Heating settings

[SteveSxx]

My parents-in-law have recentluy had central heating fitted and my father-in-law refuses to set the heat control on the boiler to more than a quarter - because he believes that it will cost too much to run.....
The radiators are therefore not very hot - This means that the system is running for much of the day - am I correct in thinking that a boiler should be set to about 3/4 full to keep the efficiency up and thus costs down ?

[Panic Button]

No idea about costs but I would prefer to have it low like your father in law. It keeps a more even temperature instead of the radiators periodically getting roasting. Also safer as it avoids the risk of burning of young or infirm on the radiators.

[Panic Button]

For a definite answer we'll have to wait until Gasman logs on. Come on Gasman where are you when we need you?

However I have thought about it more. Surely there will be very little difference in cost. If the house is kept at the same temperature then the same amount of energy is put in, just in shorter higher bursts when the boiler is set high.

However with the temperature set low the water pump will wear out quicker as it is running for longer. With the temperature set high the bolier will suffer wear quicker as it runs at higher temperatures. (Or will this stop it coking up?)

OK so I don't know.

[buildersmate]

Gasmen don't work at the weekends. In his absence, I'll offer the view that most boilers use fuel more efficiency when they heat the water at about 70 degrees C - which is towards the top of the dial. Now we'll just have to wait for the expert.

[gasman]

HI all, Thanks for the vote of confidence folks :o)

Now all new boilers have modulating gas valves/burners and will therefore regulate the gas rate. So they will at first start off in full rate burning mode untill the the correct set temperatures are reached and will then go to tickover mode so to speak . To sum it up the quicker it can get up to full heat the more efficient it will be. As buildersmate says optimum performance is achieved at 70*c any lower would not give the burner a chance to start modulating untill hrs of wasted energy has allready elapsed. Keep it turned up in other words and just let the room stats controll the ambient temperature's not the boiler...

[Panic Button]

Thanks.

How much do we owe you for your expertise?

Oh and could you nip round to Steve's father in law and explain it to him?

[SteveSxx]

Thanks all for your invaluable advice