With the cost of energy everyone wants the most efficient boilers and central heating systems. There is an ongoing argument over which is most efficient; to leave the unit running on a low setting or setting the thermostat to turn the unit on and off through the day. In all honesty both of those ideas are incorrect and not the most efficient.
Having your hot water tank and system pipes properly insulated is the biggest key to getting the most efficiency out of your unit. If these are not insulated well your unit could be using much more fuel than is needed.
Try this simple experiment to see how you system is performing and which is best for your energy bill. Set your system to run on low for a week; take a gas reading before beginning the test and another at the end of the week to get the usage. The following week take the meter reading and then set the unit on the timer and check the meter again at the end of the week. Check the difference in usage and see which is best for the budget. Even though you have done the test you still need to make sure everything is insulated and including the loft in that can also help conserve energy usage.
Make Your Central Heating System More Efficient
If you have single glazed windows about 20% of your heat is escaping through them even if they are draught-proofed. Double glazing can help to cut the heat loss in half. Even a temporary glaze like cling film can help if the cost of new windows and frames is not an option due to cost.
Cavity walls are not normally insulated but can cause loss of heat as well. Insulating the cavity walls on the property can help to reduce loss of heat, ten to thirty-five percent, and lower energy bills. Insure that exterior walls and the attic are insulated well. Nearly 25% of heat lost in homes is through the walls and 35% is lost through the roof.
Other options to look at are thermostatic radiator valves that can shut off the heat in various rooms when they are not in use. If you only need the heat on during certain times; invest in a programmable room thermostat. With this you can set the heat to come on before you get home so the house will be warm but, you are not wasting fuel the rest of the day on an empty house.
Regular maintenance is important to keep any system running at its most efficient. Once a year every system should have a power flush to get rid of oxide sludge that may have built up. A simple power flush can often make an older system run like a new unit.
Talk to a professional and see what suggestions they have for your particular property. The same answer doesn’t fit every situation and sometimes it takes a pro to find the best resolutions to a problem.