What is the number dial on the front of my boiler for?

[n30_mkii]

Hi all, I've never had gas central heating and don't have a manual for the system

It's really probably a simple question. On the front of our traditional gas boiler (not combi) there is a grey dial with numbers on 0,1,2,3,4,5,MAX I'm guessing it's something to do with how hot the water gets to in the upstairs hotwater tank? I'm prosuming it's only for the hot water temp as we have a thermostat for the rads. Does that make sense? If so do I just adjust it to the required temp or is it something to do with the quantity of hot water there will be?

Sorry for being a noob on this but any advice appreciated

Thanks!

 

[Bennie-Mac]

It is indeed for the temperature of the water, though the heated water also flows through your radiators so it will affect how quickly they warm up, the thermostat just cuts the heat at a certain temperature.

 

[jaybee]

Oh really? I have that on our boiler but I also have a temp guage on the cylinder in the airing cupboard which is set to 60c. I got told that was to set the water temp so I alwasy left the boiler at max as I thought that was to set how hard it burnt or something. I am also a nublet with this kinda thing.

 

["andy"]

I thought that was to set how hard it burnt or something. I am also a nublet with this kinda thing.

well it sort of is if you have something else that makes it cutout at a certain temperature like you claim

higher setting = more gas burnt

more gas burnt = more heat

more heat = quicker heating up and possibly higher temperatures , remember that too high will have it boiling the water too much and your release valve will go off