Combating energy prices

dirtychinchilla said:
Heat transfer is proportional to both velocity and surface area
Click to expand...
We really don't need to get into the differences between power, time, velocity etc and energy as a fixed amount regardless of those factors. I doubt jpaul was being quite that specific :P

I took it to mean that the gas units needed to heat the water would be the same whether heating high and mixing, or lowering temp and not mixing.
 
yes , principally that ( but it had been said/implied in the thread before -)
I was disappointed not to find that (like a ICE car engine) there does not appear to be an acknowledge optimum point for efficiency of a combi boiler heating water. (versus acting as a condensing boiler)

----

on the side - combi boilers - at least the logic we have seem to be poor to adjust the power for the warmer inlet water they are currently getting, output temperature with same flow must be 10C higher than (usual summer) normal
 
So what's everyone setting their combi's to? Not put much thought into it previously but I've dropped mine to

70 on the heating from 75

50 on the water from 55

Those were the factory figures

Just to see how it runs, won't know on the heating yet but the water seems to be taking longer to heat so surely that's counter productive because the boiler has to run for longer?

Same with the heating, surely it'll just take longer to hit the target on the thermostat if the water running through the rads is cooler?
 
Relentless81 said:
So what's everyone setting their combi's to? Not put much thought into it previously but I've dropped mine to

70 on the heating from 75

50 on the water from 55

Those were the factory figures

Just to see how it runs, won't know on the heating yet but the water seems to be taking longer to heat so surely that's counter productive because the boiler has to run for longer?

Same with the heating, surely it'll just take longer to hit the target on the thermostat if the water running through the rads is cooler?
Click to expand...
My thermostat sets the boiler Central heating temperate automatically it takes from around 25c to 60c. I've set the hot water to 52c.
 
Discovered I have a condensing boiler the other day, but I can't seem to find a setting to show me the return flow temp, so will need to get the thermometer out when it gets a bit colder to ensure it is within the correct range. Also putting in 6 new rads with larger capacity/BTU than the old original 1970s ones.
 
Listening to a piece on Radio 2 today and apparently...

Microwave is the least expensive form of cooking
Next is slow cooker
Then air fryer
Gas oven is around 3 times less expensive than electric oven

I'm now planning to purchase a gas oven & heat pump dryer!
 
Relentless81 said:
Just to see how it runs, won't know on the heating yet but the water seems to be taking longer to heat so surely that's counter productive because the boiler has to run for longer?

Same with the heating, surely it'll just take longer to hit the target on the thermostat if the water running through the rads is cooler?
Click to expand...
There's some placebo effect in this. The boiler will start on full power to get the water up to temperature as quick as possible, so technically it'll reach temperature quicker. However, because the water temperature is lower, it may feel like it's taking longer because it just isn't as warm, especially so if you have a mixer tap and don't open the tap on full heat first until the hot water comes out, then mix to the correct temp.
 
Relentless81 said:
So what's everyone setting their combi's to? Not put much thought into it previously but I've dropped mine to

70 on the heating from 75

50 on the water from 55

Those were the factory figures

Just to see how it runs, won't know on the heating yet but the water seems to be taking longer to heat so surely that's counter productive because the boiler has to run for longer?

Same with the heating, surely it'll just take longer to hit the target on the thermostat if the water running through the rads is cooler?
Click to expand...

Weather compensate the heating yourself. I posted it somewhere else here. As it starts to get cold, I set my heating to flow at 50C. When that doesn't heat the rooms, I up it by a few degrees. When that stops working, a few more degrees etc until I reach what I consider the maximum reasonable temp - 70C.

Some systems do this automatically, but you either need weather data or external temperature sensors.
 
dirtychinchilla said:
Weather compensate the heating yourself. I posted it somewhere else here. As it starts to get cold, I set my heating to flow at 50C. When that doesn't heat the rooms, I up it by a few degrees. When that stops working, a few more degrees etc until I reach what I consider the maximum reasonable temp - 70C.

Some systems do this automatically, but you either need weather data or external temperature sensors.
Click to expand...
Interesting idea, just dropped the heating to 50C and see how it goes when the Mrs starts mithering for it to be switched on in a couple of weeks. I'll gradually up it so it's more effective as it gets colder

I've taken the hot water down to 45 too
 
LuckyBenski said:
Gas ovens are not as good as electric but gas hobs are miles better than standard electric. Ideal combo for me is a decent fan electric oven, gas burner.
Click to expand...

There was a rangemaster gas/electric hybrid when we moved in. I had gas growing up so used to it.

Bottom of the barrel are those ceramic type hobs which take ages to heat, start hot for ages and are really so to control!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom