The Most Economical Way To Use Oil Central Heating

[Cantthinkof12use]

Hi have recently moved into detatched bungalow with oil central heating and an open fire which we use. We were wondering what is the most economical way to use the central heating. At the moment we have it set on auto so the hot water comes on for a couple of hours each morning and evening and the heating comes on each morning until 10pm then goes off til the morning. We have the thermostat set at 18 degrees during the day then turn ut up a notch in evening. Most of the valves on radiators are set at 3. I have no idea if this is the best way of using the system. Any tips? Thanks in advance

[Hymie]

Unless you are using the hot water morning and evening - you are wasting oil.

If the hot water is only used for washing up - then use a kettle instead; only heat enough water for any baths/showers you require.

18 degrees is quite low - but if you are comfortable with it, all well and good.

If you are going out for an extended period - switch off the heating.

[KARL]

Assuming you are in the UK the open fire is a heat sink due to the constant loss of heat up the chimney, lots of it - more or less all fireplaces in the UK are without chimney closers. That said, the stop-start system you are employing on space heating equates to driving by setting off at full throttle until at maximum legal speed, switching off the engine and coasting to a halt, then starting all over again, this until you reach your destination. Consider whether driving at a constant speed to the destination might be more fuel efficient (it is). There have been lots of threads on precisely this question, the last perhaps no more than 2-3 weeks ago, look them up to browse through the answers.

[Cantthinkof12use]

Thanks I have had a read through other threads and going to try the leaving on all the time and setting thermostat to a lowish temp when not needed. Am just a bit confused though with valves on radiators at the moment the main thermostat is set to 19 degrees, some of the radiators are set at 2 but they are piping hot. I thought they would stay cooler the lower the valve number? Sorry if im sounding silly with little understaning if central heating!

[KARL]

The radiator valves are supposed to shut down earlier at lower numbers. However, these things can misbehave and also fail. Try turning those valves you feel are letting too much heat through right down to shut - if they continue to feed the radiator at 18 degrees then they either need re-calibrated or they have failed completely. If on the other hand they do shut down then open them up gradually to reach the level you are aiming for - ignoring the numbers. The behaviour of thermostatic valves is affected by its surroundings, such as curtains covering them in part or whole, being tucked in a corner, getting a draught, etc., etc.