Gas Fire or Radiators

[chrissa1]

I've just moved into a rented house. I have gas central heating which includes a gas fire in the lounge. I've had gas CH for years but never had a gas fire.
What is the most economical way to heat the house? Does the fire use more gas than just having the radiators on or is it either/or to keep the bills down. Thanks

[welshlibranr]

Chrissa, I think that at this time of year, when the days are warm, and the evenings are chilly, I would just use the gas fire to warm the room you are sitting in!...........then when you go to bed, you'll be fine inside your duvet!............

[237SJ]

My mother bought a house a couple of years ago with gas radiators and one of those gas `coal` fires. The man that came to check the gas boiler said those fires use a lot of gas. She uses it as a treat at christmas but heats the house with the radiators.

[Buenchico]

I've got no figures to back up this post but I did study physics as the subsidiary subject for my mathematics degree, so I'll throw in my own views (for what that they may, or may not be, worth).

A gas central heating system is powered by (hopefully) blue gas flames which then heat a boiler. That, in turn, distributes heat throughout the house. Blue gas flames (rather than yellow ones) provide the most heat from the available energy but there are significant heat losses as the water is pumped around the system to (eventually) heat the air in a room.

A gas fire heats the air in a room directly and should therefore (under ideal; conditions) be more efficient. (i.e,. there are no heat loses as water is pumped around a central heating system). However that assumes that the gas fire still has a blue flame. Some gas fires are deliberately designed to introduce more oxygen into the mixture which is burnt, in order to produce a yellow flame (which looks nicer to many people but adds to their fuel bills).

For reasons of economy I'd always prefer to have a gas room heater rather than gas central heating , but I'd definitely be hoping to see blue flames rather than yellow ones.

Chris

[chrissa1]

Hmm. So no definitive answer then?

[albaqwerty]

I'm on a prepay meter. When the boiler defunked and we had to use the gas fire it was a little more expensive but not by too much

I'd keep the radiators on a low-medium heat and try to find your own comfort zone.

[scotman]

Chris

Not wishing to pick a fight when I am not sober but I am confused by your comments about excess oxygen and flame colour as it is opposite to what I have observed in items such as Bunsen burners and oxy-acetylene torches where lack of oxygen produces a more luminous flame.

[chrissa1]

I heard a saying....."Blue is True, Red you're dead".