01/09/2022
Just a few tips on potentially lowering gas usage before gas prices go through the roof in the coming months. I’m sure many are obvious but if it helps
Boiler settings, with combi boilers turning the central heating temperature and hot water temperature down will obviously save on gas usage. Typical levels are 70-75 for central heating and 55 for hot water but, you may find it’s perfectly adequate to have these levels much lower without really noticing.
Also with combi boilers some have a (pre-heat mode) which stores at small amount of hot water so hot water comes to the taps quicker, the boiler will fire up regularly to maintain this hot water. But really in my opinion this feature isn’t worth it, the time difference is a matter of a few seconds at the taps. So I’d recommend turning this off if your boiler has it. Conventional/System boilers just the control of the central heating water temperature hot water temperature can be checked/adjusted at the cylinder.
Bleeding radiators/correct system pressure, to bleed the radiators do this when the heating system is off, opening each radiator with a bleed key and rag. Starting downstairs and working way up to highest radiator (mostly air will be at highest radiators)
System pressure combi/system boilers 1.2-1.5 bar pressure (cold) depending on boiler will state in the user guide. Just check it’s in the correct range especially if you’ve just bled the radiators. Top up if it’s too low.
Thermostat and hot water settings, having the controls not set up for your needs. Another obvious one but having the heating/hot water come on when your not there, or it’s not needed. Try to time the hot water so it’s just before you use it keeping the hot water cylinder heat loss down.
Smart controls are very good for setting the programmes/thermostat away from home if no ones going to in ect, suits some people very well.
Loft/A/C pipe lagging, loft pipework has to be lagged for potential pipe freezing but check because some are poorly done. Have A/C pipe work lagging to retain wasted heat.
Most hot water cylinders are pre lagged but if it isn’t you can get insulated jackets to go over them.
Having a automatic by-pass fitted, to save the jargon basically turns the boiler off quicker as the house begins to reach temperature if it’s fitted check it’s the correct setting.
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRV’s) usually numbered 1-5 these number represent room temperatures from around 15c to 25c with 20c being middle. Honeywell TRV’s have a green dot that represents 20c. Having these set correctly not overheating rooms. Amount of times I see TRV’s fitted and almost always set to maximum which is no point in having them. Having it set lower won’t change how quickly the room heats up it’s only once it reaches temperature it’ll begin to close and maintain the room temperature. If you haven’t got them fitted at all definitely worth getting them.
Heavily contaminated heating systems, if the radiators are very cold at the bottom, black water when you bleed them and generally not working well having a system power flush and having a permanent filter installed may be worth getting done. Not only to protect the whole heating system but also system efficiency is massively improved.
Complete system upgrades, having an up to date A rated boiler will be more efficient and cheaper to run, the lower band your current boiler the higher the cost savings the new system will be. But also it’s a combination of all the above that improves system upgrade not just an A rated boiler installation.
